22" LP hose? That seems really short

[Jimmer]

I just bought myself a christmas present of 2 new Zeagle Flathead VI's for my doubles, so I can get my mix matched current set of doubles regs off of there and get them ready for stage bottle use. I'm sorting out my hoses and was suggested by my tech instructor to go with 26" HP hose because of my height, but the 22" LP hose he suggested seems really short. I'm wondering if it will restrict head movement when I'm on the backup reg. Is it unanimous that the 22" hose is long enough, or has anyone opted for a 24" or 26" hose and found that to be a better fit?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I use a 22" hose on my single rig, but I fear it will be too short coming from the left post on my soon-to-be-assembled doubles. I've therefore ordered my alternate reg with a 24" hose. From what I've read here and on TDS, some use a 22" hose but many also use a 24" hose. Since you already have a 22" hose, I'd say try it and see how it works. As long as you can turn your head completely to the left, it's not too short. If you can't, than replace it with a 24" hose.

 

[Jimmer]

Well I haven't picked up the 22" yet, I was just talking to my instructor on the phone. It's a little over an hour and a half drive to his shop for me, so I was going to make the trip this weekend and pick up the hoses, and wanted to get some thoughts on the situation before I decided I need to make another trip down to exchange it for a 24".

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Well I haven't picked up the 22" yet, I was just talking to my instructor on the phone. It's a little over an hour and a half drive to his shop for me, so I was going to make the trip this weekend and pick up the hoses, and wanted to get some thoughts on the situation before I decided I need to make another trip down to exchange it for a 24".

I see. Well, I decided to go with a 24" but will switch it out with a 22" that I already have if I feel it's too long. Hoses are cheap and changing them is a piece of cake, so go with either a 22" or 24", give it a try and then change it if it's not working for you.

 

[Greg Barlow]

I personally use a 22" with a single tank rig, and a 24" with doubles. I find that it is difficult to turn my head to the left with the shorter versions. This is especially true while wearing a dry suit.

Greg Barlow
Former Science Editor for Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine

 

[PerroneFord]

I found 22" too short with doubles. 24 was just right.

 

[Jimmer]

I see. Well, I decided to go with a 24" but will switch it out with a 22" that I already have if I feel it's too long. Hoses are cheap and changing them is a piece of cake, so go with either a 22" or 24", give it a try and then change it if it's not working for you.

It's not the cost of the hoses or the changing them (I do all my reg overhauls), it's more that I just don't want to spend 3 hours driving time and fuel to find out I bought the wrong one. Judging by what everyone has said, it seems that the 24" is going to be the best bet to start with, so I'll go ahead and pick one of those up. I'll post some pics of my rig once it's together. It's been a year and a half of evolution since I first bought the doubles and a backplate, and with the addition of the matching Flathead VI regs, it's just about where I want it to be.

Thanks everyone,
Jim

 

[battles2a5]

Same here, 22" for singles, but it is too short for my dubs. I just ordered a 24".

 

[OneBrightGator]

24" for both. 22" is the appropriate length for ScubaPro piston regulators, any other kind of "tech oriented" regs will require a 24" hose. This includes Apeks, Dive Rite, Zeagle, etc.

 

[Jimmer]

24" for both. 22" is the appropriate length for ScubaPro piston regulators, any other kind of "tech oriented" regs will require a 24" hose. This includes Apeks, Dive Rite, Zeagle, etc.

I had wondered about that as well, since the SP's have the hose coming straight out the bottom.