Loyal Fan of Mares, now deeply disappointed :(

[konadiver]

I am a (or should I say was a...) loyal fan of the MARES brand, even before they hooked up with DACOR or was it vice-versa? My first purchase was with the MARES VECTOR 1000, it was the best thing since sliced bread I thought. Come on, it's Italian, thoughts of Italian race cars and awesome designer everything, prompted me to buy Mares and be cool, forking out the bucks too. I then followed with getting the MARES HUB (totally wild when it first came out, paid top dollar for it too) and so on with the Mares brand everything, fins, masks, etc. If they had a Mares toilet seat I'd probably get it too.

Recently, I took out the Vector 1000 from storage, and when I inflated the BCD, I noticed flakes inside the BCD? Huh? Flakes? I'm like did something crawl into the BCD and died? Upon closer inspection, the flakes weren't organic, they were silicone or more like oxidized rubber yellowish flakes. Of course the thing didn't stay inflated for more than two seconds (See picture). Come on, this BCD was stored properly, I soaked and washed this BCD after each and every dive. Yes, the BCD's pocket's stitchings were coming apart (poor craftsmanship to begin with I think) but I had thought that was due to heavy use since I'm an instructor and used to put in at least 3 dives a day. Now I find flakes inside and I think it's due to the inside lining falling apart. What, is it just canvas painted on the inside with latex? Is this what we're buying when we get a Mares BCD? OMG!!!

Anyways, now I'm very disappointed in Mares, and this is after just purchasing another Mares, the VECTOR Orgins! Is this common with Mares? Does anyone out there have the same experience? Or is this just common with all BCD's?

I've tried to go on the Mares website to leave a comment, but I can't even find a place to do this. Any suggestions? Please advise.

[navyhmc]

Can't see your pictures. Were the flakes inside the bladder or on the inside of the cordura cover? Also, how long was it stored? It could be the flakes are the urethane lining of the cordura nylon shell. If it's used as much as you say, that type of wear would be normal. This will happen with time for any cordura type nylon shell.

[konadiver]

Hi thanks for the reply navyhmc, oops forgot to include the picture (here's the picture posted above). Yes, the flakes were inside the BCD, not in the cordura cover or pockets. It was inside the actual BCD's bladder. The BCD was stored in a cool dry place for about 3 years. I've had other BCD's in the past (like the ScubaPro) and this has never happend. Also, I asked our LDS and they've never heard of this as well. When I poked my fingers inside the bladder of the BCD, it was indeed the lining. Strange! I'd like to send a flake sample to Mares, if I only can find thier customer service email or have a way to contact them. Thanks for posting a reply.

[mtnplayva]

There's a Mares forum on ScubaBoard that they respond to pretty quickly. You might try posting something there to see what Zac or Phil has to say. They might also be able to give you contact information.

[konadiver]

Thanks, I will post there! Mahalo!

[fire diver]

To answer on of your questions... YES, that is exactly what you get with most BCs, regardless of manufacturer. Most don't use a seperate bladder.

[cruzan]

Yes Mares site is terrible they have been having problems with it for months. If you go to the scubaboard site one of the VP's, for US operations, will get back to you quickly when contacted.

[drako]

Mares is frantically trying to restructure and get their loyalty back with the customers.

[Coastie6]

Was always a fan of Mares Power Plana fins. Purchased my wife a Mares BCD several years back, can't say I think it's the best BCD, but it's provided pretty good service life. Strange oral/LP inflator though, but she did mind it. Let us know what Mares responds.

[Splitlip]

I'm a big fan of Mares regs (MR 12) and fins (Quatro). For BCD's however, stick with Zeagle, Seaquest or Scubapro. Period.

(Wings by Oxy, OMS, DSS. DR, Hollis, etc. excluded of course)