Thoughts on octo/power-inflator combos

[djcheburashka]

Hi. I'm considering whether to replace my bc power inflator with one of those octo combinations.

I thought you hogarthian folks might have some valuable input as to whether or not this is a good idea.

My theory is that I can save one first stage regulator this way--I can have two first stage regulators configured for diving doubles, where one acts as the octo, when I'm doing fancy cold water wreck stuff. And when I travel to look at the pretty fishes and dive singles in shallow warm water, I can use one first stage regulator from the doubles rig and, without dorking around with hoses, the power inflator as octo.

I recognize that a potential downside to this is that I won't be able to use the power inflator hose on a lift bag, but I can't do that now since I have a zeagle bladder and figure I can use the dry suit inflator hose for that.

What do you think?

 

[JeffG]

What do you think?

Do you really want to know?

 

[Peter_C]

Anyone who has used both will agree that a bungeed backup is the way to go. Having a second stage reg around your neck is simple and very effective. You will always know where to find it and it will not change whether you are diving doubles or a single tank. The less you change gear configuration the better. Plus if you already own the reg, you can just pull a plug and put it on for the warm water trips.

FWIW I used to have a Knighthawk with the Air 2 and it was not nearly as comfortable to use a bungeed second stage.

 

[djcheburashka]

Do you really want to know?

Yes. I may not do what you suggest, but I thought getting hogarthian divers' perspective, from the places they like to dive, would be helpful. (I understand that what I'm thinking of is not DIR-compliant.)

 

[JeffG]

Yes. I may not do what you suggest, but I thought getting hogarthian divers' perspective, from the places they like to dive, would be helpful. (I understand that what I'm thinking of is not DIR-compliant.)

So...What problem are you tring to solve doing this?

From what I can see, all you are solving is so that you do not have to swap a hose when going to a warm water vacation.

If you believe this "savings" is worth using (what I would term) a kludge piece of hardware. Then go for it.

(I call it a kludge because its trying to be two things at once.)

 

[LavaSurfer]

To me its not a DIR or Minimalist thing its a Safety issue.
I have had the Octo around neck
I have used an Genysis and an Air2
I have used a Standard Octo config on hip

I use the Octo around neck only now. If you have a situation where you need to give away your primary reg and are ascending you may need to keep removing your Air2 from your mouth to let air out of your BC. Not that its that big a deal but in a panic situation its one more problem you just don't need to deal with. Why complicate an emergency situation?

Save your money and loop that Octo around your neck. Its easy, Cheap and proven to work.

 

[JeffG]

Not that its that big a deal but in a panic situation its one more problem you just don't need to deal with. Why complicate an emergency situation?

Exactly right.

 

[LavaSurfer]

Exactly right.

Ya I know

 

[djcheburashka]

To me its not a DIR or Minimalist thing its a Safety issue.
I have had the Octo around neck
I have used an Genysis and an Air2
I have used a Standard Octo config on hip

I use the Octo around neck only now. If you have a situation where you need to give away your primary reg and are ascending you may need to keep removing your Air2 from your mouth to let air out of your BC. Not that its that big a deal but in a panic situation its one more problem you just don't need to deal with. Why complicate an emergency situation?

Save your money and loop that Octo around your neck. Its easy, Cheap and proven to work.

And when I'm in cold water or deep, that would be the rig, except that it would have an additional (unlikely to be used) regulator on the BC inflator. The BC inflator would only be the octo--or, what I would go to in an OOA--when I'm off in warm water above 60 ft, not using doubles.

What I was really concerned about was obstruction, weight, dangling, etc., all of those issues hogarthian folks are so focused on, when I'm in doubles and the octo-inflator is just sitting there being an inflator.

 

[LavaSurfer]

And when I'm in cold water or deep, that would be the rig, except that it would have an additional (unlikely to be used) regulator on the BC inflator. The BC inflator would only be the octo--or, what I would go to in an OOA--when I'm off in warm water above 60 ft, not using doubles.

What I was really concerned about was obstruction, weight, dangling, etc., all of those issues hogarthian folks are so focused on, when I'm in doubles and the octo-inflator is just sitting there being an inflator.

Thats what I am saying. bungeed the backup in all situations.
Deep, Cold, Warm Clear. Whatever.

The only configuration change I make when I go to the Tropics vs a nasty cold muddy quarry or some penetration into a wreck is I use a shorter primary hose. Mostly I do this for streamlining as I really don't need it long but even that is a silly excuse because the 7' hose fits in nice an tight.

If you want streamline, the bungeed backup is the way to go.

You asked and I offered. Now it seems your arguing for the Air2.
If you already made up your mind then why ask?