The MR 22 Abyss is Mares top-performing,
most popular regulator, and now available
from JoeDiver. This reg was designed to meet
the U.S. Navy specifications, and it has proven
it can substantially exceed them. (Just read the Nov. 2003 tests below!)
The MR 22 diaphragm first stage features:
- DFC system and a replaceable HP seat connector. The poppet
is guaranteed for 200 dives or two years' operation.
- The compact body is made of hot-forged nickel-plated
and chromed brass.
- It is fitted with a preferential intermediate pressure
port for connection to the main second stage, plus 3
other LP ports and 2 HP ports.
- The latter are inclined at a 45?angle to allow a more
rational layout of hoses or of the transmitters of modern
hose-free, air integrated dive computer.
Second stage:
- The Abyss second stage, with its V.A.D. system, is made of
nickel- and chrome-plated brass.
This material offers a
number of benefits, i.e.:
- absolute ruggedness
+ thinner walls, hence compact dimensions obtained without
using smaller-diameter diaphragms;
- this results unreduced water drag;
+ anti-freeze function, which is enhanced by the
"radiator action" of the metal.
- Its streamlined shape optimizes the traditional profile
that is now made precious by the functional reliefs on
the cover which were developed to make water inflow and
outflow easier while breathing and swimming.
- The cover is made of technopolymer, a lightweight and
impact-resistant material.
- The large manual purge button is placed in a central,
perfectly ergonomic position.
- The mouthpiece is of soft hypoallergenic silicone: so
no distress and no fatigue, even after very long dives!
The Ruby and Abyss, second stages offer
the unique Mares patented V.A.D. (Vortex Assisted Design)
system.
This system allows smooth breathing at all depths and is
unique. Its operating principle is very simple.
The air coming from the hose passes through the second
stage valve and is conveyed directly to the mouthpiece
through the by-pass tube. Within the mouthpiece, the air
flow undergoes a "vortex" effect.
Whenever this swirl occurs, the core of the vortex
creates a low pressure area. This low pressure helps
keep the second stage diaphragm down while inhaling,
thus increasing the regulator sensitivity.)
And Don't forget JoeDiver's Exclusive NO CHARGE
ASSEMBLY if you are puchasing other peripherals
too. Why spend an hour or 2 trying to assemble
all this gear when Joe can do it for
you? And your local store won't charge you
upwards of $55 either! No other mail order
company will offer you this, but the copycats
will soon follow. Just check the ASSEMBLE box
above.
You'll be wet in no time now!
Retail: $635.00
Joe says: "Amazing! But I suspected so."
From: www.divebytes.co.za
"On 1st November 2003, 25 experienced divers gathered at Wondergat (South Africa) to put Mares MR22 first stage through a very severe test. The plan was to have 25 divers at a depth of 40 meters breathing off a single first stage for 10 minutes. Nothing as extreme as this has ever been thought of, never mind tried!
On Friday the 30th October 5 x 50 Liter cylinders were transported to Wondergat for the record attempt. It was decided to fill them with a Nitrox 30 to increase safety, and to give the divers more bottom time with less decompression afterwards. All the participating divers were carefully selected for the attempt and minimum qualification was that of Deep specialty diver with adequate experience at deep diving.
Friday afternoon everything was set up at the surface - all 5 cylinders were tied together, and the manifolds connecting the cylinder outlets to each other were connected. With everything set up and connected the whole system would be taken to the bottom early the next morning.
At 14h00 of November 1st, 25 divers entered the cool water of Wondergat and waited for the signal to start their descend. Beforehand every diver had his specific spot on the system for him to breathe from, and knew exactly where to go to find his second stage. On the signal everyone dropped to the designated spot, and got into position.
After a total dive time of 6 minutes everyone was in place and ready to swop regulators. On signal, divers simultaneously swopped regulators and started breathing from the system.
Once again the Mares MR22 first stage gave an unparalleled performance, with very little -if any - change in breathing resistance and air delivery. After 10 minutes 25 divers started their assent knowing they've just accomplished something extraordinary! After a total dive time of 50 minutes most divers surfaced after clearing their diving computers by doing the prescribed decompression stops.
After the dive, calculations proved that the Mares MR22 first stage delivered air at a rate of 3000L/min!
It is not just the high flow rate that is significant, but the fact that it was done at a depth of 40 meters where the total ambient pressure in 5 atmospheres, and the air is much thicker than at the surface and therefore harder to flow. Also the fact that the water temperature was only 17 Degrees Celsius made freezing up of the first stage a real problem to content with.
The Mares MR22 Abyss has also been tested by the Notified Body INPP of Marseilles with binary (Heliox) and ternary (Trimix) mixtures to a depth of 100 m. The results are compliant with the recommendations of European Regulation EN 250, and during these tests breathing effort proved to be much lower than the regulation required.
If you ever felt that you out breathed your regulator on deep dives or can't get enough air from it, try the Mares MR22 Abyss - 25 divers tried to out breathe a single Regulator at a depth of 40 meters and could not succeed!"
