Mares Proton MR12 or Apeks ATX40's?

[Rudds]

Hey guys, Ive been offered to purchase a second hand regulator set, a mares MR12 first stage, With proton (plastic not metal) Second stage and mares rover octopus with triple console. the seller runs a dive school so the set will have been serviced.

there is also this Apeks set http://www.scubadivingstore.co.uk/atx40-twin-console-p-190.html.

I an unsure which set would be better for a relatively new diver, but i have the opportunity to try the mares set whilst i wont get the opportunity to try the Apeks.
Any Ideas?

[Ding]

I would go for the apex....but I like them. You can get service kits and get them serviced reasonably anywhere. Oh and they breath as good as any reg out there.

[NickBCotswold]

where as unlike Ding, "I'd" go for the mares...... more expensive to service and normally your local service centre has to wait 2-3 weeks for a service kit to arrive from italy, but hey, i'm not planning on diving in december anyway!

Of course "I'd" go for mares when i've had them from day 1 and never had any problems whatsoever in cold water, on the same day my DO and TO both had free flows 5m away from me at cromhall in January (with, ahem, "A"nother brand!) - However, some people prefer the feel of other makes, which is fair do's!

Personally, i'd suggest to the OP he try out both and see what he personally prefers!

Nick

[ChristianG]

Hey guys, Ive been offered to purchase a second hand regulator set, a mares MR12 first stage, With proton (plastic not metal) Second stage and mares rover octopus with triple console.
My emphasis.

You don't, you definitely don't, need a triple console. It's bulky (and how) and if you look around the modern diver has:

• computer on one (usually left) wrist.
• back up to that, ideally a Uwatec Bottom Timer (http://www.scubapro.com/europe/uk/uwatec-products/instruments/instruments/digital-log-330m), on right wrist.
• small SPG at end of HP hose.

[Rudds]

Thanks for the advice guys, Gonna try out the Mares and go from there.
Just about to buy A Cylinder, bit or a random Q How 'old' should a new Cylinder be?

[Ed Howarth]

How 'old' should a new Cylinder be?

That's a really good question. I wouldn't expect to pay full price on a cylinder that was more than 4 or 5 months old. If they threw in a test of one that was older than this, maybe up to a year old then I would pay close to full price.

Ed

[bythesea]

How 'old' should a new Cylinder be?

Brilliant question, Edwards answer sounds about right

As for the regs, I have tried many over the years, now I own Five ATX40s on DS4s and would avoid Mares on two fronts, price and waiting time for servicing.

My Apeks get serviced while I wait at the local shop.

[bomber]

Mine is another vote for Apeks, i have 3 sets they really are bullet proof.

[Richard Whitcombe]

Old thread but i'd say Apeks. Have Mares regs in the club back home and they're a reliability nightmare. The place i work here just got rid of all its Mares regs for the same reason - they just keep breaking all the time.