A manual airflow control mechanism ▪ A side-mounted, pivoting purge button designed for easy ▪ access High airflow delivery with minimal inhalation resistance ▪ Lightweight, flexible hose construction ▪ The result is a second stage that combines mechanical simplicity with refined breathing performance. First Stage: The 88X Platform The PLANET system is paired with the 88X first stage, a met- al-bodied regulator platform engineered for durability and stable airflow delivery. Key design elements in- clude: An environmentally ▪ INNOVATION continued
A swiveling turret with multiple hose routing options ▪ Built-in overpressure protection ▪ Symmetrical high-pressure ports designed for optimal hose ▪ positioning A hexagonal DIN wheel designed for secure grip, even with ▪ gloves Together, the first and second stages form a system designed to maintain performance consistency across a wide range of diving environments. Serviceability and Operator Advantages: From a maintenance standpoint, the PLANET 88X is designed to be exceptionally
service-friendly. The sec- ond stage requires replace- ment of only a single O- ring and rubber sealing pad – components already standard in most dive shop service inventories. For dive operations, re- sorts, and liveaboards, this
Airmatic Function
sealed twin-piston dry system for cold- water reliability Automatic sealing ▪
that keeps internal components clean and dry High-flow delivery across all low-pressure ports ▪
translates into reduced downtime, lower maintenance complexity, and longer service intervals. The recommended service schedule of two years or 200 dives reflects the system’s low-wear design and mechanical stability. These characteristics make the PLANET 88X particularly at- tractive for rental fleets and high-utilization environments. Independent Test Feedback: Four writers from Scuba Diving Industry Magazine conducted independent test dives with the PLANET 88X regulator in controlled and varied underwater positions. Across all evaluations, testers reported: No hesitation at the start of inhalation ▪ No change in breathing effort regardless of body orienta- ▪ tion Consistent airflow during head-down, inverted, and un- ▪ conventional positions A sensation similar to rebreather breathing characteristics ▪ due to the absence of initial resistance Several testers noted a psychological benefit as well – once ▪ underwater, breathing became something they no longer had to think about Looking Ahead: According to Mares leadership, the PLANET 88X is not a one-off development but the foundation of a
broader technology platform. Additional variants are already in testing, and the long-term vision points toward a future where mechanical springs are no longer necessary in regulator design.
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