MR22 first stage and Abyss second stage

Ventosa

Cyberdry

Plana Avanti Quattro

Syncro Pro

Guardian

The MR 22 Abyss regulator has a balanced diaphragm first stage with a dynamic flow control system that minimizes intermediate pressure drop during inhalation. The high pressure poppet is designed for a two year or 200 dives service interval which is about twice the industry standard. The first stage incorporates two high pressure ports which are angled to provide optimum attachment and four low pressure ports, one of which is the preferential intermediate pressure port to the primary first stage.

The second stage is very rugged, with a metal main housing. Breathing at depth and under working conditions is easy, thanks to the venturi assisted design which creates a low pressure vortex in the second stage, helping to keep the second stage diaphragm down while inhaling and thereby delivering more air with less effort.

The Plana Avanti Quattro fins are the latest in the long line of Avanti fins which first came out nearly 20 years ago and have maintained their popularity ever since. The Quattro has four channels along the blade of the fin, two of which run the full length from foot pocket to tip and two that run from the halfway point to the tip of the blade. These are designed to channel water down the length of the blade for greater efficiency and better performance. Stabilizers along the outside edges of the blade help to ensure straight and true vertical movement through the water while reinforced ribs in the foot pocket provide comfort and support. These fins were very comfortable in ocean use but one feature I particularly liked was the strap buckles which are a quick cam design similar to a ski boot buckle making them a cinch to put on, take off and adjust.

The Ventosa mask is a little different than most other masks in that it has just a single rather than a double seal around the skirt. The skirt is made of soft silicone, either black or clear, and extends farther around the face which makes for a good seal. And if you're looking for really different, there is the six-window ESA mask. The design of the ESA gives divers extended peripheral vision to the sides and below. Corrective lenses can be fitted into the bottom and main windows of the ESA.

Many of the snorkels on the market today are "dry" snorkels and use a variety of methods to ensure that a minimum of water enters the snorkel and what little does manage to sneak in is easily expelled. The Mares Cyberdry snorkel has an efficient water deflector at the top and employs a purge ball system to keep it dry. A small ball in the purge chamber ensures that upon exhalation the purge chamber is sealed and the full force of the diver's breath is used to clear the snorkel. The Cyberdry's lightweight and flexible section between tube and mouthpiece make it comfortable to wear for extended periods.

The Synchro LX buoyancy compensator and the Synchro Pro are made from 420 Denier nylon and designed around a hard, padded back pack which helps to distribute weight more evenly. The wide shoulder straps also help to make these BCs more comfortable. The Synchro Pro has an adjustable cummerbund and two large quick-draining pockets while the LX has one pocket and a non adjustable cummerbund. The bladder on both slides back and forth along the waist strap to minimize constriction when inflated. The inflator controls are streamlined but easy to manipulate and all Mares BCs come standard with a DIN whistle.

The wrist-mount Mares Guardian computer is powered by three, user-replaceable AAA batteries. I enjoyed using the Guardian but if there is any complaint it is the same complaint I have about most wrist mounted computers and that is that the straps are barely long enough to go around a drysuited wrist. But Mares, in its mandate to provide gear to please all divers, provides an optional hose mount boot for the Guardian. The Guardian is a full function, decompression computer and information on a large screen is well laid out and easily accessible by manipulating three large yellow buttons. Eight modes and a variety of functions within each mode can be accessed and information on all dives can be downloaded to a PC. Unlike many computers, the memory is preserved while batteries are replaced. The screen is easy to read and can either be backlit on demand, constantly lit or automatically lights up every ten seconds and battery life is dependent on how often this feature is used. With the backlight on all the time, batteries should last approximately 25 hours. The Guardian provides full operation to a depth of 150 metres and manually adjustable altitude levels can be set from sea level to over 2400 metres. Audible and visual alarms alert divers to unsafe practices. The instruction manual is easy to follow especially with the fold out last page which offers pictorial reference of the various modes and functions.