MR12, MR22 and envoy...

[dagoml]

After 2 years of diving on rental equipment I will get my first reg. I have read every article and forum post about pros and cons of all regs... My budget is limited.... I like what I see on mares and zeagle regs...

ST have a pretty awsome deals on some regs and my final decision has come to 3 regs: MR12 proton metal $199, MR22 Voltrex $299 and Zeagle envoy Deluxe $299.... I love the looks and price on the proton, the upgrade to Mr22 (Services every 2 years) on the voltrex and the adjusting knob on the envoy....

• What would you do?
• What brand gives better service?
• Is the MR12 upgrade to MR22 worth $100?
• The knob really makes a difference on performance?
• VAD works as good as a knob?

Thanks for your advice....


Dago

[TN Traveler]

I think the MR22 Voltrex is probably an MR22T - which means it is the MR22 with the new TriMaterial HP seat/poppet - absolutely a great system. The Voltrex 2nd is an Abyss 2nd stage, but with a plastic faceplate - again a great breather - in fact this was among Scuba Diving Magazine's top performers for many years. The only consideration with this configuration is it is heavier. But this is really top of the line gear that was put together by Mares for 2008 in order to move some older inventory. They came out with a lighter weight MR22 - uses the same internals and the 2008 Abyss has a new metal mesh cover.

Don't worry about parts availability in the future - the M32 Protons use the same internals. Much better reg than the MR12. I can't comment on the Zeagle.

I'm sure you will be happy with any of them.

[dagoml]

Thanks TN Traveler!!!

[No Misses]

I have used the MR22 Abyss for 5 yrs, and am very happy with it.

[CODMAN]

I think it also depends on what you want to do with it. For just recreational diving, the MR12 ist stage is more than enough! My girlfriend has a MR12 proton (plastic, not metal) and it breathes like a dream! It's what convinced me to buy a V16 proton... The MR22 is probably a better system. But is it necessary? Probably not. if you were interested in technical diving, I'd say go for the MR22 since it,s been successfully used by many a tech diver on very very deep dives (some world record dives also). It's considered bullet proof. But you probably wouldn,t see much of a difference in breathing effort between the MR22 and the MR12... So if you want to save 100$, that's a great opportunity... The choice is up to you! You want the "better" reg? MR22 You want a great reg that is more than enough? MR12... I'd probably go with the MR12 because it's cheaper and lighter too!

Yes, the VAD works great! I've been down to recreational limits with my V16 proton several times, in cold and warm water. The reg simply breathes as easily at depth as at the surface! No need to play with a knob at all! When adjusted properly, the Mares 2nd stages simply work great at all depths!

This said, I've heard good things about the zeagle too!

Cheers!

[maddhadder]

I purchased the MR12 Proton metal in October. It's my first reg and I only have about 10 dives on it so I have no long term experince or comments on it, but in the time I've been using it, I really like it. As codman said, I notice no difference in the breathing at depth vs. at the surface.

[in_cavediver]

I'll vouch for the zeagle stuff. The envoy will go with you wherever you want to go to whatever level of trainig you want. There is a deluxe that is environmentally sealed which I'd recommend if cold water is in your future. We use our two envoys as stage regs.

[dagoml]

Thanks all for your input!

Something that bothers me about the MR12 is that it´s a closeout in ST and the mares page doesn´t show it anymore.

I wouldn´t like to have to change my 3 year old regulator because there are no parts available anymore.

Does Mares have a policy about that? Will the MR12 owners out there have to replace regs soon?


Thanks

[CODMAN]

Dag, the mares MR12 has been around for ages. And from what I can see, Mares is still manufacturing the MR12 1st as well as the Proton metal 2nd. So getting parts won't be a problem! They just aren't combining them anymore. The MR12 is going on the "Rover12" and the Proton metal on the V42 proton. For 199$, that is one heck of a good all metal regulator!

Cheers!

COD

Originally Posted by dagoml

Thanks all for your input!

Something that bothers me about the MR12 is that is a closeout in ST and the mares page don´t show it anymore.

I wouldn´t like to have to change my 3 year old regulator because there are no parts available anymore.

Does Mares have a policy about that? Will the MR12 owners out there have to replace regs soon?


Thanks

[dagoml]

You´re right Codeman...I didn´t look on the rover section in the mares page....

Thanks!