Breathing underwater should feel natural. The Mares Airmatic Planet 88X TBP makes that possible. It delivers smooth, immediate airflow in cold water, deep dives, and demanding technical conditions. At the same time, it feels just as comfortable on relaxed recreational dives.
Natural Breathing 2.0 – No Resistance, No Distraction
The standout feature of the Planet 88X TBP is Natural Breathing 2.0. From your first inhale to your final exhale, air flows smoothly and without noticeable resistance. You don’t fight against springs or mechanical tension. Instead, you simply breathe.
This performance comes from Mares’ advanced Airmatic Technology. Unlike traditional second stages, Airmatic removes conventional mechanical springs. It replaces them with a fully pneumatic valve powered by intermediate pressure. As a result, breathing effort drops significantly while internal wear decreases. Fewer moving parts also mean greater long-term reliability.
Even under stress or heavy workload, the regulator responds instantly. Air arrives exactly when you demand it and stops the moment you finish inhaling. Therefore, your breathing rhythm stays calm, controlled, and efficient.
Consistent Airflow at Every Depth
Mares also integrates VAD – Vortex Assisted Design into the second stage. This system directs airflow straight to the mouthpiece. Consequently, air delivery remains strong and consistent whether you are exploring shallow reefs or descending into colder, deeper water.
The all-metal second stage further enhances performance. Metal improves thermal conductivity, which helps prevent freezing in cold water. At the same time, it increases durability for challenging dive environments. In the rare event of a freeflow, you can manually stop it using the integrated Override Button on the second stage, even when wearing thick gloves. A lightweight 75cm Superflex hose adds comfort and flexibility throughout the dive.
88X TBP First Stage – Built for Cold and Contaminated Water
The Planet second stage pairs with the robust 88X TBP first stage. This first stage features the TBP Dry Kit, an environmentally sealed twin piston design that keeps silt, sand, and cold water away from the internal mechanism. As a result, performance remains reliable in harsh conditions.
Auto Sealing Technology (AST) automatically closes the first stage when it disconnects from the cylinder. This keeps water and debris out during transport and setup. Meanwhile, Natural DFC on all low-pressure ports ensures maximum air delivery, even during deep dives or high gas demand.
The swivel turret with four LP ports, plus a fifth inline LP port, provides flexible hose routing. Two angled HP ports allow clean, streamlined configurations. An integrated overpressure valve adds another layer of safety. The hexagonal DIN wheel offers excellent grip, even with wet hands or gloves. Finished in durable Pearl Chrome, the 88X TBP combines rugged strength with a premium look.
Safety, Reliability and Long-Term Performance
The Airmatic upstream valve design enhances safety in a critical way. In the unlikely event of a fault in the first stage resulting in rising intermediate pressure, the valve closes more rather than freeflowing uncontrollably like the common downstream regs we use today. Excess gas safely vents through the first stage overpressure valve so you can continue breathing through the second stage while the system manages the pressure.
Because Airmatic reduces internal components by more than half, fewer parts are subject to wear. That means fewer potential failure points and dependable performance dive after dive. If a rare freeflow does occur, the integrated override button allows you to stop it manually.
Simple Servicing, Long-Term Reliability
Mares recommends servicing every two years or 200 dives. Thanks to Airmatic’s simplified pneumatic design, maintenance requires no spring tuning or complex calibration.
Why the PLANET 88X TBP Stands Out
First, it delivers some of the smoothest breathing ever achieved in a scuba regulator. You won’t feel cracking effort or sudden resistance changes at depth.
Second, it simplifies the second stage dramatically. The core sealing system relies on just a seat, a rubber sealing pad, and one O-ring. With fewer components to adjust or wear out, servicing becomes straightforward and predictable.
You can check out the Mares Planet 88X TBP Regulators here!
