I've sucked more air through their regs than all other brands combined (mostly Aqualung, Beuchat, probably Cressi-sub, and "I never really looked at what the rental counter gave me" - no Sherwood, Poisedon, or anything else that would particularly stand out shape-wise, no Apeks either, doubtful about Tusa), they *all* seem to leak air when not in your mouth, the only apparent difference to me is that Mares regs aren't adjustable to try and stop that...however when adjusting, say, an Aqualung, I tend to notice that I've had it on the "low flow" setting the entire time I was diving anyway, and I can only switch it to the "leak more" position, which tends to make the existence of the knob not particularly useful.
As everyone always says the reason for leaks is that they haven't been serviced properly, is it safe to assume that if they were done "right", that they'd all also not-leak equally, as well? I know Mares parts kits tend to be more expensive than other brands, and have heard various complaints about hose stiffness (though never noticed a problem myself, possibly because I'm just used to it), and the issues with them buying out Dacor (personally, the thought of breathing from something that's got the same name as my stovetop doesn't appeal to me, so calling Dacor products something else so far hasn't caused me a great deal of upset), but are there any real *functional* problems with them, rather than just opinions? (subjective reports of "breathes hard", "breathes wet", etc. count as functional rather than opinions!)
Personally, I like 'em, they feel nice and solid, they come with a *real* octopus rather than a hockey puck thing (having dealt with Apple hockey puck mice, my performance expectations for things shaped like hockey pucks but aren't are not exactly the highest, and sucking on them seems to confirm this - I've always found Mares octos to breathe as well if not better than the primary on any given set, they seem extremely common, so presumably even if the parts are more expensive, there should be plenty of people who know how to service them...?
Granted, I do remember hearing good things about the Abyss, but aside from that model, and valid-only-in-North-America Aqualung/Scubapro warranties (still don't understand how "free parts for life" only means "free parts every other year of your life"...), what's up with shops seeming to treat them (stocking and recommending, anyhow, they don't seem to have issues with renting them) like Cousin Joe at the dinner party that just got out of the psych ward last tuesday?
As everyone always says the reason for leaks is that they haven't been serviced properly, is it safe to assume that if they were done "right", that they'd all also not-leak equally, as well? I know Mares parts kits tend to be more expensive than other brands, and have heard various complaints about hose stiffness (though never noticed a problem myself, possibly because I'm just used to it), and the issues with them buying out Dacor (personally, the thought of breathing from something that's got the same name as my stovetop doesn't appeal to me, so calling Dacor products something else so far hasn't caused me a great deal of upset), but are there any real *functional* problems with them, rather than just opinions? (subjective reports of "breathes hard", "breathes wet", etc. count as functional rather than opinions!)
Personally, I like 'em, they feel nice and solid, they come with a *real* octopus rather than a hockey puck thing (having dealt with Apple hockey puck mice, my performance expectations for things shaped like hockey pucks but aren't are not exactly the highest, and sucking on them seems to confirm this - I've always found Mares octos to breathe as well if not better than the primary on any given set, they seem extremely common, so presumably even if the parts are more expensive, there should be plenty of people who know how to service them...?
Granted, I do remember hearing good things about the Abyss, but aside from that model, and valid-only-in-North-America Aqualung/Scubapro warranties (still don't understand how "free parts for life" only means "free parts every other year of your life"...), what's up with shops seeming to treat them (stocking and recommending, anyhow, they don't seem to have issues with renting them) like Cousin Joe at the dinner party that just got out of the psych ward last tuesday?
