pedro

Hi,
New to the forum and new to diving having not long passed my PADI OW
Starting to think about what to purchase first.
1st & 2nd stage Reg to me is the priority.
A friend who got me into diving at the age of 52 has recommended the Mares V16 Proton as she uses this one & we both intend completing the PADI Nitrox course next year whilst on holiday.
Will the Mares V16 Proton be compatible with Nitrox?
Or will we have to have the Reg changed for Nitrox?
Pedro

hellosailor

Pedro, if you buy any gear and it doesn't say "Nitrox Safe" or "Oxygen Clean" then assume it is NOT safe.

There's more debate in nitrox about what is and isn't clean enough, and whether things need to be cleaned and tested annually, and whether shops that aren't using nitrox will give you a dirty fill that can contaminate your tank. So...Maybe wait on the gear until after you take the class and form your own opinion about how much BS is out there. Or, if you buy gear, make sure it says it is safe for nitrox, and just pay attention to the quality of your fills. (Yes, I've gotten oil contamination in a fill. It can happen.)

FFEMTcJ

I have a Mares R2 Rebel reg and Mares Axis Pro as my second. Does anyone know if these are ok for nitrox?

wallacm

From what I have learned after working in a dive shop and being around scuba for a while, 99% of regs are ok to use with Nitrox as long as you don't use mixes above 40%. And being a new diver you probably won't use mixes above that lvl, since they are usually used as deco bottles. My first reg was a Scubapro MK20 with a G250 second stage. I used to use it with Nitrox for about 2 years before I got it 02 cleaned. There was no damage done to it. I then got the reg 02 cleaned because I started getting into more advanced diving and started using that reg as a deco reg with 50% 02 mix.

Just food for thought, I do agree take the class first or do your own research and decide for yourself. Happy and safe diving to ya.

Matt

"Divers do it deeper, but Tech divers do it deeper and longer."

FFEMTcJ

I spoke with my instructor (who is a co-worker) last night and he said basically the same thing you did.