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First off, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Greg Barlow and I have been an avid reader of the postings for the last year. The information presented has been very educational for me as I slowly make the move to become a DIR diver. As a writer for Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine I have been fortunate enough to watch the evolution of DIR from various avenues, and have been impressed with the forethought and experience that has made the DIR philosophy what it is today. My rig consists of the following: Halcyon backplate and harness, Explorer 55# wings, Highland Mills bands, and AL80's for backgas. I chose the aluminum cylinders due to the fact that I make at least 25% of my dives while diving wet. I had a real fear of not being able to swim up a doubled pair of steel tanks, despite the loss of a considerable amount of gas due to the low volume of 80's. Anyway...I use Mares MR12 regs exclusively (exception of Mares R2 piston regs for side bottles), and am curious as to why more divers don't use the MR12. I see the benefits as: 1. A very robust first stage with minimal parts considering that it is a balanced diaphragm. 2. There are a total of 5 LP ports, which greatly aids in hose placement. 3. Provided you use a polymer second stage, it is easily disassembled underwater allowing full access to the diaphragm and exhaust valve. 4. The second stage is very simple, yet provides Navy Class A performance. 5. The Vortex Assisted Design limits free-flows, while providing little to no positive pressure. 6. I can rebuild a second stage in around 15 minutes even while in the field. As a regulator tech for different brands, I understand and appreciate the wide spread exceptance of the Apeks and Scuba Pro models, but feel that the MR12 has a lot to offer. I don't claim that it is better, but still deserves consideration. I'm not alone in this opinion either, as two of my fellow dive buddies also use the MR12's, and they are both GUE trained cavers. My intent is not to come on board as an "expert", but merely as a student. If I am totally out of line, then I'm certain that I'll hear it. In closing, I've been diving since 1975, and as you may have guessed, the original Voit MR12 holds many warm memories in my heart. Yeah, I'm sure that my bias toward the MR12 comes from sentimental reasons as much as from any other.... GREG -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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