u/Responsible-Bird-190

Mares MR12 and Axis octopus, keep or toss away?

Hi everyone!

Last month I finally got my SSI Open Water certification. A friend of mine sadly had to retire from scuba and generously gifted me some of his old gear, which includes a Mares MR12 first stage and an Axis octopus.

I’m trying to figure out if it’s actually worth the cost to get this setup serviced, or if I should just put that money toward something modern.

For context on my goals: I'm currently diving recreational, but I eventually plan to move towards a modular backplate and wing setup as i take my nitrox and deep dive license.

Would this rig serve me well as a reliable setup in the meantime, or is it too outdated/hard to find parts for? Thanks in advance for the advice!

u/Responsible-Bird-190 — 8 days ago

▲ 2 r/scubaGear

Mares BCD hybrid in 2026

Hi everyone, I've been offered a new-old-stock Mares Hybrid BCD (weights included) for about $100. Given that this would be my first owned BCD and I eventually plan to move towards a modular backplate and wing setup for technical diving, I'm wondering if this is a smart purchase for my summer dives while I transition to more advanced gear.

My main concern is the potential degradation of plastics and rubber components on a product that has likely been sitting in a shop basement for quite a few years.

Does anyone have experience with how this specific model ages in storage, or are there specific red flags (OPVs, corrugated hose, bladder) I should inspect closely before buying it? Thanks!

reddit.com

u/Responsible-Bird-190 — 16 days ago