Mares MR22 long hose

[Dimitriy_E]

Dear colleagues,

I was successfully diving my twinset as indies before starting up IANTD Adv Nitrox course :) and I have to introduce long hose on my Mares MR22 first stage (Abyss 2nd stage). MR22 uses an oversized port for connecting the second stage. I found one single shop which sells 210sm (7feet) hose for MR22 and it costs 70euro (50quid) vs 30 euro (20 quid) for a standard long hose (3/8").

Question is shall I save money buying standard hose and connecting via adapter 1/2" to 3/8", or would I sacrifice breathing quality doing it ? Though first stage facing hose connector is oversize, Mares still uses standard connector on the second stage side of the hose, so I personally cant see how oversize hole on one side of the hose can make a difference while second side of same hose is standard size. Is it just pure marketing this oversize port or shall I not be greedy and buy the proper hose ?

Thanks!
Dimitiry
Belgium

[Janos]

Old Apeks regs also had an oversized port. I'm not sure if it's the same size as the other though.

There is no increase in performance, but an adaptor is something else that can break.

Can you use a different (normal) port on the first stage and use a over-szie blanking port on the reg.

Janos

[Nick Kay]

Not sure this is what you wanted, but...

My OC twin set-up is Mares Abyss with a long-hose on one of the MR22s. Never had a problem with it, other than (AFAIK) the hose is 300B rather than 232 and therefore more "bulky" - or is that my ignorance and longer hoses need to be thicker/stronger than standard length?

One thing though... MR22s are a pain because of their port configuration

My configuration has:

#1 with 2nd stage, DF for redundant bladder
#2 with 2nd stage, DF for redundant bladder and HP for contents

This means I can put #1 on its side - streamlined but #2 has to be "right way up" - not the best config :(

[Vic]

Question is shall I save money buying standard hose and connecting via adapter 1/2" to 3/8"

No. Adaptor stacks increase the component count of your regulator and lengthen the amount of metal you've got sticking out of the first stage. Longer levers means greater forces when you knock it...

Have a chat with Sub Aqua Products (http://subaqua-products.co.uk/). They made the hose I used on my Abyss. They're mail-order only these days, but that probably isn't going to worry you too much...

Vic.

[Ben Panter]

I think you might be confused there Nick - a long hose for a regulator is the same whether the first stage is 232b or 300b - it's only carrying an interstage pressure of ~10b above ambient in either case.

My Mares Abyss long hose is pretty thick too, but I just put that down to getting what you pay for! It's lasted five years so far, and shows no signs of wear or tear.

Cheers,

Ben

[Dimitriy_E]

Hi Ben,

thanks for your response.

So basically you support idea buying dedicated 1/2' connector hose though its more expensive and not mess around with converters.

Do you recall which shop you got it from ?

Thanks!
D

[Richard Whitcombe]

I use a converter on my old apeks set. The adaptor is only about 3cm long if that and the way it routes its protected.
It also means if/when a hose does blow i can use a standard one from someones spare kit or any local dive shop etc.

Luckily Apeks had an outbreak of sanity and ditched the oversize port on their newer regs.

[manxdiver]

The Apeks 1/2" hose fits with no problem, also try miflex hoses, they also do a 1/2" version!

Steve

[Ben Panter]

Hi Dimitriy,

Yes, that would be what I recommend.

I bought mine from my local dive shop, before the explosion of online retailers. Ordered in, it came to about £40. They even fitted it for free for me (although these days I could do it myself it's always nice to be pampered!)

Ben

[ralphg]

Hi, just wondering if you managed to sort out your hose, I am in the same position, just moving to manifolded twins and want a long hose for my abyss and have been quoted an arm and leg in my lds. If you got one, I would be grateful if you could tell me where from. Ta.

Ralph

[Dimitriy_E]

Hi, just wondering if you managed to sort out your hose, I am in the same position, just moving to manifolded twins and want a long hose for my abyss and have been quoted an arm and leg in my lds. If you got one, I would be grateful if you could tell me where from. Ta.

Ralph

Hi Ralph,

I went to a local shop which is Mares dealer and asked if they can order 210sm hose for MR22 with 1/2" connector. They did not know part number but called Mares distributor in front of me and it was possible to order for 70euro (50quid) and 3-4 weeks delivery. Because I had to do exercises coming weekend, I could not wait 4 weeks, so I bought standard hose and used a converter 3/8 to 1/2. I feel it breaths same or nearly the same, no major difference. Will upgrade to original hose some time later.

Cheers,
D

[Ben Panter]

Hi Dimitriy,

An alternative you might consider would be to run the hose off an alternative low pressure port (the rest are all standard on the MR22) and just blank off the oversized primary port. Don't know how much such a plug goes for mind...

Ben

[Chris Cherrington]

1/2" 2.1M hose is £25 (€33)

http://www.divingniknaks.com/products.php?cat=24

They do the Miflex and 3/8" and adaptors too...

Chris

[ralphg]

Thanks for the help everyone. Ralph