Mares Proton Metal V16

[the gooch]

Last month on a trip to Puerto Rico I had the joy of a HP seat go in my first stage. It happened as soon as I pressurized the regulator while on the boat and heard a loud pop and then a continuous hiss.

After contacting a Mares rep. they had me send my regs in to their service center for warranty repair. --I must say that this was done in a very timely manner and at no charge to me.-- When I got the regs back I went over the paperwork in the box and noted that the HP seat(s) were replaced with an upgraded one made of new material.

My questions: Are these seats a known issue? Has anyone else had a similar issue? Why would Mares upgrade this seat if the old ones were not known to have problems?

--Just to note: I absolutely love my Proton Metal.

[medic001918]

I haven't heard of any issues. My fiance uses the V16 Proton non-metal version. I'd be curious to know if they are having any issues that we need to have addressed before a problem does develop.
<DIV>
Shane</DIV>

[ScubaToys Joe]

Are you sure it was the HP seat?? Normally a "pop and a hiss" is an o-ring going out. Seats normally just "creep". Slowly increase pressure to the point the reg starts a little (or big) free flow.
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>But they have made improvements to the seat - but they have always been a 2 year replacement if needed - and with the new materials - they virtually never need replacement! You should not have any more problems. It's really a very well designed seat system - spherical instead of flat reduces wear points.</DIV>

[the gooch]

I am by no means a tech-thats for sure, but was told this by a local tech in PR. The regs came back with a description of what they changed and it was the HP seats and swapped them out for some new tri material ones.

I just hope it does not happen again. Overall I have been extremely happy with my proton metal/V16. Breathes the same at 30 fsw and 130 fsw.

[somewhereinla]

I have a v16 metal as well, and I am fairly happy with it except for the fact that it only breath very well when your head is down. I find that breathing is more difficult when looking up or straight such as when ascending.

[Lucky(AR)]

i got the mares v16 protons and i love them i used scubapro and titan regs before and i really like these mares !

[Lucky(AR)]

just wanted to say i agree with somewhereinla when u lay on your back and look up is a bit harder to breathe

[somewhereinla]

I should say all reg breath better head down as gravity helps the diaphragm, however my Apeks does a better job in all position than my Mares. That said, the V16 metal is a great reg. I especially love the fact that it keeps your mouth moist, the Apeks is very dry reg...

[cummings66]

If you want to see hard wet breathing upside down, try a Sherwood Brut. They'll work, but they're sloppy and the difference is noticeable.

[JonS]

I had the same "pop and hiss" problem on my Mares Limited Edition Metal first stage earlier this month. The reg is in for service. Still waiting to learn what happened.

Is it pure coincidence that the first place I look to see if anyone else has had this problem I find the exact same thing happened to somebody else right around the same time.

Now I'm really curious if others have had this problem.