Proton Ice

[tiewrapdiver]

I'm looking at some new regs for a single tank setup and like the look of the Mares Proton Ice. However i've never owned any mares kit and not heard much about them, i'm strictly an Apeks man normally. So whats it like?

Tim

[desertrat]

Firstly I have to point out that my proton ice is part of a hub (stands back and gets ready for flames).

This weekend I dived with a new reg on my pony (apex atx40+ds4) and when I switched to my pony it was definitly an easier breath then the proton ice. Having said that I bought it at the end of 2003 and havn't had it serviced yet so maybe this needs doing (the apex is new). I don't think that having it on a hub would make any difference to the work of breathing.

One thing the Proton Ice is very good at is being inverted. I've hung unside down with it and never had a wet breath. I was chatting to Epic about this as he has a mares abyss and this also gives a dry breathe while inverted so it looks like mares have this cracked.

One question I would ask is if you are happy with apex why do you feel the need to change?

[NeilP]

Originally Posted by desertrat

One thing the Proton Ice is very good at is being inverted. I've hung unside down with it and never had a wet breath. I was chatting to Epic about this as he has a mares abyss and this also gives a dry breathe while inverted so it looks like mares have this cracked.

Proton Ice - nice reg but too small for my liking. 'Tried and tested' is the Abyss. No dials to worry about and a great breath - just stick in your gob without worrying about cracking pressure or anything.

[Robert-Jan Bulter]

The Mares reg is certainly a nice reg, I use it myself as well. It breaths light now problem what so ever.
One disadvantage, servicing is rather expensive (about 100 pounds).

[NeilP]

Originally Posted by Robert-Jan Bulter

One disadvantage, servicing is rather expensive (about 100 pounds).

WTF? Mares Abyss reg and MR22 serviced, AND with an Axis octo serviced - £58.

[Bantam]

I have heard of the front cowling popping off these regs. I know digs has done one in already! I looked at one in preference to an Apeks ATX50, but got warned away.

mark.

[tiewrapdiver]

Originally Posted by desertrat

One question I would ask is if you are happy with apex why do you feel the need to change?

Just want to see whats out there before buying another apeks reg, i used an aqua-lung reg at the weekend and thought that was ok. I'm definately not going for ScubaPro cos they're sh*te, and i dont like posideons.

Originally Posted by Bantam

I have heard of the front cowling popping off these regs. I know digs has done one in already! I looked at one in preference to an Apeks ATX50, but got warned away.

mark.

What did they say when warning you away?

Not surprise Digger has knackered one, he could break a cast iron c....!


Tim

[Bantam]

Originally Posted by tiewrapdiver

What did they say when warning you away?

Not surprise Digger has knackered one, he could break a cast iron c....!


Tim

Basically that they're a slightly different breathe than the Apeks, and that they have seen more of them freeflow than the apeks ones.

Also, Digs isn't the only person to have told me they've popped the front off one.

FWIW I'm pretty hacked off with my ATX50. It came brand new, yet it wasn't set up properly at all. I've had to tweak the screw in the inlet more than once to stop it from constantly leaking.

It wouldn't freeflow (even with venturi to + and cracking resistance wide open) but it would sit and hiss gently, and piss my bloody air away. Really bloody irritating on a dive too when you're essentially permanently exhaling. What's wierd is that it didn't get worse with depth. The leaking stayed the same all the way through the dive.

I also think it doesn't shift half as much air as quickly as my trusty 15 year old apeks T40D does. However, it doesn't give me the jaw ache the T40D did (but saying that it's got a new mouthpiece on it so if I've cured the ATX's woes on the next dive it's being relegated to backup).

I agree with you about Poseidons, though. Fluttery as f*$k.

Mark.

[Chris Bone]

Haven't used proton ice but have a ruby and abyss on my twins and had no problems with them. Last service cost 60 pound for 2 first stages 2 second stages and one SPG. I also use an oceanic O2 as a stage and had no problems with that.

[tiewrapdiver]

The other thing putting me off getting apeks now is that the ATX is small (not a problem), but so is the exhaust, so the bubbles go up your face if your vertical in the water, also they dont feel as robust as the solid TX range i have currently.