Mares Regs

[John deep]

I recently used a rental package with a Mares Rebel and Rebel Octo. The Rebel was not easy to breath of off and was really loud with each exhale. Is this because it was poorly maintained or because it is a low quality reg. I've used some cheap Oceanics and didn't have this problem.

[DeepDish]

I have been using Mares regs for the last 2 years or so and have no problems with them. The MR22 is a doddle to fix and only one thing ever goes wrong with it (the 1st stage vlave seat loses a chip of rubber - causes ip creep). My voltrex second stages are metal and have been battered and abused but still work fine at all depths.
Last year I bought a new MR22 with proton second stage. Campared to the voltrex the proton needed sucking on for gas. Whether it is because of the size of the diaphram or exhaust valve I don't know but it feels like it is more work to breath from.