50 replies to this topic

[annasea]

Wow! I never would have thought that a BC wouldn't be Nitrox compatible. Glad I'm going the BP/W route.

For your sake, echo3, I hope Perrone is right.

[PerroneFord]

echo3, two questions for you.

1. What model of Mares BC is this? Do you have a picture?

2. How do you connect the inflation mechanism for the BC to your regulator? Does it screw on, or does it pop on and off?

[echo3]

echo3, two questions for you.

1. What model of Mares BC is this? Do you have a picture?

2. How do you connect the inflation mechanism for the BC to your regulator? Does it screw on, or does it pop on and off?

it's an '06 VECTOR ORIGIN 1000, quick disconnect inflater hose

[PerroneFord]

Ok,

Now I understand the issue.

Your BC is one of those with the pneumatic valves to release air from it. Nothing is going to blow up if you use nitrox with it. However, the increased oxygen percentage might cause some issues with the valves or the grease used for the valves, which is what they want to protect against.

Out of curiousity, who talked you into buying that BC??

[echo3]

one of the sales guys at the store (can't recall his name):

http://www.divers-discount.com/


nitrox wasn't an issue at the time of the sale. ( he didn't ask and I didn't know I was going to be interested in nitrox at the time )

It's a fairly simple unit and quite durable, I'm led to believe.

[PerroneFord]

Of all the BC's I have ever seen, this Mares unit is the only one that has ever had a nitrox warning. And it's solely because of the gimmicky valves on it. What a shame. And again, its not that you can't use it with nitrox, you certainly can. But you might see some premature wear with it.

It reminds me why I tend not to recommend Mares. One of their regulators fails consistently with basic nitrox mixes too because they went with a crappy high pressure seat.

[echo3]

thanks


well, it's only money


guess I'll scratch them off my 'prefered mfg' list

is there a bcd you would recommend ? (I like the vest types)

[jextract]

So I guess there's only one outstanding issue here: Perrone, how much money you got in that wallet of yours!?!

[shadragon]

is there a bcd you would recommend ? (I like the vest types)

ScubaPro Classic Air with integrated inflator if you have a wet suit. If dry, don't bother as there are no adjustments on the chest. Was my first BC and with a wet suit it is fantastic... I upgraded to a Knighthawk for my dry suit.

Edited by shadragon, 27 February 2007 - 04:57 PM.

[matts1w]

one of the sales guys at the store (can't recall his name):

http://www.divers-discount.com/


nitrox wasn't an issue at the time of the sale. ( he didn't ask and I didn't know I was going to be interested in nitrox at the time )

It's a fairly simple unit and quite durable, I'm led to believe.

I am not a fan of Mares BCs, but I do like their fins....at least the Quatros...

Anyway, there is another reason you can pick up a new one of these for $170 now.... but I wouldnt be worried about using it with nitrox under 40%.

If you are completely sold on a vest BCD go look at a Scubapro Classic or a Scubapro Glide Plus. Granted they are going to cost a bit more than $170.00, but if you want to talk about a BC that has withstood the test of time and is a proven winner, these two are the way to go.

[ScubaDadMiami]

I know many rebreather divers who dive with a PP02 of 1.0 or maybe 1.2.

Mostly 1.0 for me (on the bottom) even if shorter exposures. Why push it unless there is a need?

[echo3]

[...
Anyway, there is another reason you can pick up a new one of these for $170 now.... but I wouldnt be worried about using it with nitrox under 40%.
...

and what that might be, if I dare ask?

[matts1w]

[...
Anyway, there is another reason you can pick up a new one of these for $170 now.... but I wouldnt be worried about using it with nitrox under 40%.
...

and what that might be, if I dare ask?

I just find most of the Mares BCDs to be very bulky is all. Some of them remind me of big, colorful fishing lures....more about catching fishermen than catching fish. I guess I just meant that I think a piece of gear that limits one's growth in a sport or activity to be a poor choice. One's gear should allow you to expand and grow as a diver.

However, I think much of the Mares line- especially their high end regs and fins- to be of great quality.

Edited by matts1w, 27 February 2007 - 07:18 PM.

[shadragon]

Ok, you and your buddy are diving on nitrox mixture with a max depth (1.6) of 120’. You are on the side of a wall with the ocean bottom at about 180’. You have a pony filled with normal compressed air.

Given your scenario once you change to the Pony you yourself no longer have an alternate air source. The pony is designed for limited use as you make an emergency ascent. It is not intended for that kind of rescue. I have a 40cf pony which is effectively half an AL 80. At 120 feet I would burn through that in a few minutes. I did a quick mental calculation and at a hard bottom of 180 feet that is a 6.45 ATA. At that depth your pony gas disappears in seconds.Then you yourself are in a position where you either have to swap to NITROX below the 1.6 PO2 level or have to do a CESA to a safe depth where you can use your mix. This while potentially dealing with a panicky buddy who himself is either out of air, convulsing from O2 toxicity or near drowning at this point assuming his original buoyancy issue has resolved itself. Depending on their time spent at depth they may also be in need of deco at that point.

If they did not dump weights or otherwise correct their buoyancy problem then there is little you can do without putting yourself at risk.

[PerroneFord]

Shadragon, you've misread his question. He did not ask if you could go to 180 to get them. He asked if you could go to 130 to get them.