Mares Rover Regulator and Octo: A Simple, Dependable Set for New Divers

Mac Garrabrants   Oct 22, 2026

scuba gear regulators mares diving equipment

Buying your first regulator can feel like a lot. There are dozens of models, and most of the descriptions read like an engineering manual.

Let's keep it simple. Here is what the Mares Rover regulator and Rover Octo are, what they do well, and what to ask before you buy.

Quick basics: regulator and octo

Your regulator is what turns the high-pressure air in your tank into air you can breathe. It is the most important piece of gear you own, because you are breathing through it.

Your octo is a backup mouthpiece on its own hose. If your buddy runs out of air, you hand it over. If you run out, you take theirs. That is why they are usually bright yellow, so they are easy to spot fast.

The Mares Rover Octo

The Rover Octo is a mid-size backup regulator built to be simple and reliable. Here is what stands out:

• Bright yellow hose. It is 39 inches long and easy to spot in an emergency.
• Big purge button. It has a soft cover that makes it easy to press.
• Light. It weighs 13.6 ounces with the hose, so it is easy to travel with.
• Tough. It is made of a durable techno-polymer with chromed brass parts.
• Nitrox ready. It works with nitrox up to 40 percent oxygen out of the box.

Like other Mares second stages, it uses a downstream valve design and the company's Vortex Assisted Design, which is meant to make breathing feel natural.

The Mares Rover regulator

We carry the Rover 15X and the Rover 2S. Mares pitches the Rover setup at newer divers who want something light and comfortable. The 15X first stage, for example, is a balanced diaphragm design, which is a good thing to have in a first stage.

Not sure which is right for you? Come in and we will walk you through the differences. It is easier to see them side by side.

Things to ask before you buy

Where will you dive? Retailers describe the Rover Octo as a good fit for warm and moderate water. Utah lakes get cold, especially in winter. If you plan to dive cold water, tell us, and we will help you pick the right regulator for it.

Are you taking Nitrox? The Rover Octo is rated up to 40 percent oxygen, which covers standard recreational nitrox. If you are thinking about the class, our post on next steps for new divers has more.

How will you keep it up? Mares recommends servicing your regulator every two years, with a visual check at least once a year, at a Mares-certified shop. A regulator you can trust is one that gets looked after. Ask us about service.

Why buy instead of rent?

Rental gear works fine while you are learning. But your own regulator is gear you know. You know how it feels, you know when it was last serviced, and it is there every dive.

Come see it in person

Stop by the shop to see the Rover regulator and Octo in person, or check them out online Mares Rover Regulator and Octo. Call us at (801) 295-5445 if you have questions.