Advantages: Easy breathing, excellent build Disadvantages: Not cheap
On a recent dive, I was able to lay my hands on this beaut. This was the first times I had used a Mares reg., though the companies excellent reputation gave me a good feeling about it. The MR22 Diaphragm First stage features the DFC (Dynamic Flow Control) system and a replaceable HP seat connector. The HP seat is designed for a 2 year/200 dive service interval; double the standard seat life! The Abyss Second stage with its Vortex Assisted Design system is made of nickel and chrome plated Brass This offers a number of benefits: ruggedness, thinner walls, reduced water drag. There is also a good anti freeze function which is enhanced by the radiator action of the metal, allowing for use in more extreme conditions. Breathing at all levels was easy, with the air coming out in at a good volume and without serious demand.
My one gripe is ...
Advantages: Easy breathing, looks great Disadvantages: weights a bit
Although not my choice of regulator set, my most frequent dive buddy has got himself an MR22 set and being the inquisitive, safety conscious buddy that I am I insisted in making absoloutely sure that his rig was safe!
My immediate thought upon picking it up was "****** this is heavy!" - BUT I hasten to add that a huge factor when I chose my set was weight (for reasons I won't go into I needed a balance of high performance with ultra light weight).
For your info:
1st stage - 1140g
Second stage - 274g
Abyss octopus - 270g
This reg set was brilliant though - it's solid and can certainly take a bit of a knocking: although if you're caught up at heathrow with nothing to do, I wouldn't advice playing a game of catch with it.
Anyone who's seen the adverts for the Abyss will see that it's passed the U.S. Navy tests - with flying ...
I am concentrating this review however on the Ruby Jasmine fragrance. I had been using the Black Diamond and Lotus flower but I found the smell was a bit too overpowering for me so I decided to try another variety.
The bottle was packaged amazingly and did look really nice. You could tell it was Lenor as the name was written on it and it did look a bit like their other products but I would say the bottle was designed more like an upmarket perfume bottle. The Ruby Jasmine bottle has a lovely picture of what I assume to be a white jasmine flower on the front with a lovely big ruby next to it sparkling away! The bottle was a gorgeous ruby red colour and an almost jewel looking colour to it. The tag line of this softener says it is meant to be elegant and sophisticated. Well, going by the bottle, this was definitely true to start with ...
