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Two buoyancy systems put to the test
Mares HV Single Backmount Set vs Mares XR-Rec Trim Single Backmount Set: Two backmount sets that are not only of interest to technical divers. I now have the opportunity to test both systems.
Test report by Gerald Nowak
I have been trying to find jackets that are ideal for travelling but also safe for cold water for quite some time. With the Mares XR-Rec Trim, I have now found the perfect jacket for (almost) all dives. The only downside is that when diving with a dry suit, you have to carry a lot of weight, as the aluminium plate has hardly any negative buoyancy. With the optional weight pockets, I can give the XR-Rec Trim a little more drag, but usually not enough to counteract the buoyancy of my dry suit. That's why I decided to do a comparison test with the Mares HV Single Backmount Set! Together with Axel Früh, I travelled to the Lechausee in Tyrol to test it out. The lake is not deep, so we cannot test the backmount sets at great depths, but we can test precision buoyancy.
With 17.5 kg of buoyancy, the HV will probably only have a problem with buoyancy under extreme conditions; only if someone packs an excessive amount of lead onto their body will the HV reach its limits. With my dry suit, I need a lot of lead, but with 12 kg I still have a good reserve before it becomes problematic. Even if my dry suit were to fill up completely, I would still be able to return to the surface with the HV. For me, the most important thing is usability and handling. How does the HV Backmount Set perform when diving? How does it behave on land when I have to walk longer distances with it? How easy or complicated is it to put on and take off the backmount set?
My XR-Rec Trim is easy to handle. With the buckle system, it can be put on and taken off super quickly, just like a normal jacket system. The aluminium plate also makes it relatively easy to carry, and the weight of the tank is the only thing that affects how heavy it is on your back.
The HV has to clips to open it. But it is easy to adjust and, with a little practice, also easy to put on. It fits well on the back and is comfortable to wear. The straps are all long enough, even with a thick dry suit there is sufficient strap reserve, even for slightly heavier divers!
The 1000D Cordura material of the outer shell appears to be extremely robust and durable, perfect for wreck dives, so that even getting caught on sharp steel edges does not immediately lead to disaster.
Trim and buoyancy
An extremely important test criteria for me is the trim. How does the backmount set feel when diving? How stable am I in the water? How accurately can it be controlled?
The Lechausee (leaseholder and day tickets: Urisee dive centre / Tobias Heisler) is also ideal for us because we always have to be perfectly buoyant here. The question of buoyancy and ease of use is of primary importance. How well do you float in the water and how accurately can the backmount set be operated? At Lechausee, you can't drive right up to the water because everything is cordoned off; we have to carry the equipment there. There is a park bench right at the entrance, which makes it easy to get the equipment ready and jump straight into the lake.
As the gravel bed of the Lechausee is covered with a soft layer of mud and algae, it is important to avoid touching the bottom as much as possible. This is where the buoyancy of the backmount sets really comes into its own! To document our test, I photograph various exercises, trying not to touch the bottom so as not to spoil my visibility. This works surprisingly well and after an hour we are back out of the water. Now it's time to swap equipment and test the other backmount set in comparison.
After completing our work and two very harmonious dives, we both agree that both backmount sets are great to dive with and easy to use.
The HV requires less lead due to the steel plate and has a significantly larger bladder, but it is a little more difficult to put on and take off. However, an experienced user should have little problem with this. If you mainly dive within the radius of your car and value sufficient reserve buoyancy and want to carry as little lead as possible, the HV is the perfect choice. The colour scheme is also in line with the current trend. I personally like the black/orange colour scheme, but I love my XR REC mainly because of its low weight and flexibility when putting it on and taking it off.
Which backmount set is best is something everyone has to decide for themselves! I would love to have both, then I could be just as perfectly buoyant at home with little lead on my body as I already am on my travels with the XR REC.
HV Single Backmount Set
Perfect trim and extensive adjustability are not the only features that a well-designed jacket should have. This is certainly true of the HV Single Backmount Set.
The large-volume donut-style bladder offers a buoyancy capacity of 17.5 kg, which ensures perfect trim and optimal buoyancy even at greater depths. The outer shell is made of 1000D Cordura to guarantee maximum resistance to abrasion, scratches and wear. The inner bladder is made of 210D nylon, making it lightweight and robust. The power inflator with its highly flexible corrugated hose is built in K-style to make it easy to use.
The set includes a 3 mm stainless steel backplate weighing 2.1 kg with rounded edges for maximum comfort. Thanks to the flat head screws, the height of the bladder can be individually adjusted. The fully adjustable XR harness ensures a secure and customisable fit and is equipped with stainless steel D-rings, trigliders and a sturdy stainless steel buckle.
The colour can be chosen between classic silver or trendy orange. With a total weight of only 4.5 kg, the HV Single Backmount Set offers the perfect balance of durability, comfort and performance – ideal for technical dives and XR diving.
FEATURES:
- High buoyancy: 170N (17.5 kg) buoyancy capacity for superior trim and stability.
- Double bladder design for maximum durability: 1000D Cordura outer shell, 210D nylon inner bladder for maximum robustness.
- Ergonomic backplate: 3 mm stainless steel (2.1 kg) with rounded edges for optimum comfort.
- Adjustable XR harness: one size fits all with stainless steel D-rings, trigliders and stainless-steel buckle.
- K-Style inflator: flexible, oval-shaped corrugated hose for precise buoyancy control.
- Customisable configuration: the quick-release valve can be mounted on the left or right side.
- Secure attachment: Height-adjustable bladder with flat head screws.
- Two tank straps: Robust plastic buckles for easy attachment of the cylinder.
- Lightweight but durable: Total weight of only 4.5 kg, perfect for extended range diving.
XR-Rec Trim Single Backmount Set
The XR REC Trim Single Backmount Set not only offers numerous adjustment options to give extended range divers the perfect trim required for efficient diving.
The lightweight aluminium backplate is designed in a ‘skeleton’ style to avoid excess weight and be ultra-light for travelling. In addition, its volume and weight have been reduced by 40% compared to the previous version, which contributes to improved stability in the water. Two tank straps are attached to the single tank adapter to secure the tank. Stainless steel screws make adjusting the tank adapter safe and easy. To improve comfort while diving, the backplate is padded in the lumbar region and on the shoulder straps.
Two aluminium D-rings on the waist strap allow stage tanks to be attached. The stainless-steel belt buckle has a silver ceramic coating, making it extremely resistant to wear and scratches. The shoulder straps and waist strap are separate on the XR REC Trim, making it quick and easy to adjust to the individual needs of the diver. The XR REC Trim is available in four colour options: black, white, blue and aqua.
FEATURES:
- 17-litre bladder made of 1000D Cordura
- the lower part of the bladder is larger than conventional bladders, providing more buoyancy in the lower back area.
- the ergonomic placement of the overpressure valve makes it easy to use in all diving positions.
- Quick adjustment of the waist strap – a simple solution for ideal trim.
- Buckles on both shoulder straps
- Independent shoulder and waist straps for quick and easy adjustment
- Padded shoulder straps for added comfort
- Adjustable crotch strap with 2 anchor points on the backplate for improved comfort and stability
- Inflator with metal buttons
- 3 mm thick aluminium backplate in ‘skeleton’ design
- 3 mm aluminium single tank adapter
- 6 mm aluminium D-rings
- 2 bottle straps
- Ultra-light, weighing only 2.8 kg
- Available in 4 colours: black, blue, white and aqua
XR Weight Pockets
The Side Weight Pocket was developed to offer the option of carrying additional weight. Each pocket can hold a maximum of 4 kg of weight.
FEATURES:
- up to 4 kg
- 1200 d ballistic nylon and 600 d polyester exterior
- fits all Mares XR harnesses - and -
- Can be attached to shoulder straps or waist belt
- High-strength cold water Velcro fastener with single closure system
- Integrated flat D-ring
- Elegant, durable (resistant to chafing, tearing and abrasion), lightweight and made from the best, durable materials
Trim weight pocket
The Trim Weight lead system consists of two additional rear lead pockets that can be mounted directly on both sides of the backplate on the diving cylinders.
FEATURES:
- Easy to attach to the diving cylinder
- Double eyelet for ideal positioning on the tank
- Perfect fit
- Less weight on the strap
- Maximum load: 2 kg each
More information:
Mares XR-Rec
Mares Backmount HV