Mares Abyss 22 Navy: Key Features and Benefits
The Mares Abyss 22 Navy has several standout features which make it one of the best breathing regulators in the industry.
New Lightweight 1st Stage
To help reduce the overall weight of the MR22 First Stage, Mares has stripped it of all unnecessary metal without compromising the structural integrity of the regulator.
This reworking of the design increases the surface area of the first stage, giving it even better thermal characteristics on cold water dives – making an already reliable regulator even more reliable.
Dynamic Flow Control
It also uses Mares’ patented “Dynamic Flow Control” (DFC) system, which minimizes the drop in intermediate pressure on inhalation, especially in extremely demanding dive conditions.
This is one of the main reason this first stage was able to break the record for the most number of divers breathing from a single first stage. You will never have to push the regulator to these extremes, but it is assuring to know it’s there when you need it.
Tri-Material Valve Technology
The overall performance, safety, and reliability have also been enhanced by the use of Mares patented Tri-Material Valve.
Thanks to this special technology the head of the valve always provides a perfect seal, even under extreme conditions, and prevent uncontrollable free from occurring even under the most stressful conditions.
Mares Vortex Assisted Design
There is also no user controls on the second stage. This is due to “Mares Vortex Assisted Design” (VAD) System and Mesh Grid Technology.
The VAD System uses a bypass tube to deliver air directly to the mouthpiece. This creates a vortex inside the second stage that keeps the diaphragm down during inhalation, providing lower breathing resistance at any depth.
Environmentally Sealed
To further increase its reliability in cold water, the Navy 22 Abyss II also features an Environmentally Sealed first stage. This kit prevents cold water from entering the spring chamber away from the internal mechanism. The result is the airflow of the regulator is not affected by the cold water, making for more reliable operation.
All-metal Second Stage
The Mares Abyss 22 second stage regulator features an all-metal construction. This provides great thermal properties, preventing the formation of ice that can cause unwanted free flows when diving in extreme temperatures.
Mares Mesh Grid Technology
A mesh grid incorporated into the front cover of the second stage lowers the effect that water flow has on the diaphragm, helping to prevent free flows in strong currents.
Reliable Demand Valve System
It also uses a downstream demand valve system. Mares claims the DFC system, which minimizes the drop in the intermediate pressure during inhalation, allowed them to use a simple and reliable downstream valve system without sacrificing any performance.
Mares Abyss 22 Navy: Manufacturers Specification
1st Stage Type | Balanced Diaphragm |
High Pressure Ports | 2 |
Low Pressure Ports | 4 |
Environmentally Sealed | |
Second Stage Type | Unbalanced |
Adjustable Inhalation | |
Adjustable Venturi | |
Nitrox Compatible | |
Cold Water Rated |
Our Rating: Mares Abyss 22 Navy Regulator
Overall Score
4.6/5
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Design
It's all metal construction is designed to last a life time, while still being fairly compact and lightweight. Its environmental sealing ensures that it works flawlessly between servicing.
Funtionality
The Abyss 22 Navy II performs flawlessly in all diving conditions, especially cold water. However, some see no diver adjustments as a drawback.
Ease of use
Operating the regulator is pretty straightforward. They are no diver adjustments to worry about.
Cost
The Abyss 22 Navy II is not a cheap regulator. However, compare to similar high performance regulators you cannot go wrong with the price.
What Divers Liked
Many divers who own the Mares Abyss 22 Navy II rank it extremely favorable online for its breathability, performance, weight, and value for money.
It also ranked highly among both beginners and advanced divers alike, with high praises for the equipment saying ‘it performs over and above expectations’ and ‘Best overall regulator on the market’. Almost all those who purchased were likely to recommend the Abyss to a friend.
Reviewers also speak highly of the functionality and the fulfillment of the promises made by the product. It has been put to the test by divers in a range of environments including areas with heavy currents, wrecks, deep water, and especially cold water. One reviewer remarked, ” Easy to tune, never freezes up and we do a ton of cold water diving! Breathes so good!”
Many also praise the effortless and easy breathing the device offers with comments like, ‘breaths like a dream in the shallows as well as at deeper than normal sports diving’.
What Divers Didn’t Like
While negative reviews of this regulator were hard to come by, there were a couple of things some divers didn’t like about the regulator.
Some drivers didn’t like the fact that the regulator sat a little bit high on the cylinder and would bang their heads on it. However, after mastering the height at which to mount their BCDs this became less of a problem.
Other divers also didn’t like the fact that there were no user-adjustable settings on the second stage – especially when getting too much air from the vortex system. But, others find that the regulator worked great.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this regulator work in warm water as well?
What does the AMU printed on the regulator mean?
Is this regulator Nitrox Compatible?
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is, the improvements made to the Maress Abyss 22 Navy II makes an already great regulator even better.
Its high-performance first stage and lightweight second stage work together to deliver a natural breathing response even in the most severe diving conditions. It earned top ratings from us and other reviewers alike and stands up pretty well with the biggest competitors.
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