AIR2 or similar, whats your experiences?

[RJP]

A combo octo/inflator is like one of those little donut-sized spare tires:

They both seem like a really great idea...

...right up until the point that you need to actually use one for its intended purpose.

:shocked2:

 

[RJP]

What dangle and obtrusion?

Yeah, what he said.

 

[Straegen]

I am of two minds. I like the octo around the neck and donate the primary method because you can move the rig from BC setup to BC setup without changing anything out. I also like that servicing the reg setup is often cheaper than an air integrated system. Having dedicated "ports" makes things less confusing as well.

I like the air integrated because it is a smaller setup, lighter and packs down smaller. Now that I am traveling more and have fallen in love with a Zuma I have begun trying the Air3. It certainly streamlines the rig, is very lightweight and packs away better than my Octo/Inflator setup.

As for students donating the air integrated unit in a OoA situation, that is not reading the directions of the gear and not configuring their gear properly. I don't blame the gear in that situation, that is all diver and probably one in a bunch of trouble somewhere down the line.

 

[Zung]

This topic has been debated endless times...

The wife and I both use AIR2's and we've been in quite a few OOA situations with zero problem and zero stress; it just requires a few minutes of practice, once and for all.

 

[Peter_C]

I made it 25 dives before I ditched the Air II along with the Knighthawk BC. I would never go back to that piece of crap...either one of them.

In the last couple of hundred dives I have had two people run out of air, and safely brought both of them to the surface on a long hose, while I was breathing off my bungeed backup.

As to streamlining, the Air II hangs way down while in trim...a regular inflator stays close to the body.

RJP, love the spare tire analogy LOL

 

[RJP]

The wife and I both use AIR2's and we've been in quite a few OOA situations...

Hmm... seems like you've got bigger fish to fry than gear configuration.

:shocked2:

 

[hbhobby]

I have a AIR 2 and love it. it is just like the spare tire thing! not ment for long distances just enough to get you back to where you have to be! does it flow as nice as my full balanced primary NO! but neither does my octo! ( I carry both because of some of the ugly conditions I dive in) but I do know where my AIR 2 is 100% of the time when I dive! octo mabey mabey not the little danlgy thing that holds it may get dislodged or it may be in place (it is designed to come free with minimal effort) and in an emergencyu situation if another diver pulls my primary from me it is a quick switch to my AIR 2. it also makes the oral inflation of the BC much easier cuz you can do it with minimal switching out reg and inflator (not that it is a problem just easier) I think it most importantly comes down to know YOUR OWN gear and your BUDDY'S gear as well. I am fortunate to have regular dive buddies that allow me to be very familiar with their gear. the above is just my humble yet opinion

 

[CaboJim]

I think it's great that you're comfortable with passing your primary, really. That's a great skill to have, and it makes you a better diver IMO

Can I ask you this:

Have you considered long hose?

What do you see as the advantages of Air2 vs long hose?

When you say OOA, do you mean drills or actual OOA?

Long hose on my primary? or long hose, as in an octo bungied around my neck?
My primary has a 48" hose, long enough for my buddy to use & us to hold onto each other.
Air2 is part of my inflator, which keeps it easy to find & use.
As to failure, never had any problem. But then I get my Air2 serviced regularly, every year, along w/my BC & reg... OOA & OOA drills...done both...no problemo....

 

[formula1mb@aol.com]

Everyone always talks about how bad an inflator/octo combo breathes, have you ever tried a high end one like the Atomic SS1? That thing breathes great, as good as most primary regulators. Plus isn't the inflator/octo combo pretty much the same as a short 22" octo? They're both short and have limited range of movement, I don't see the huge difference and getting rid of an extra hose is never a bad thing. Also, with an Air2 or SS1, setup is quicker, you just put on your bc and no worries about attaching your octo to the bungee. A last point too, I don't care how good of a necklace or octo holder you have, they're never 100% and every now and than still fall out which is really annoying----maybe for boat dives they stay in place but for surf entries every single type of holder has at one time or another failed letting the octo fall out. With the inflator/octo, you never have to worry about it falling out of the holder.

Everyone seems to have it in their head about how horrible the Air2 is, yes maybe 20 years ago they were bad but products do improve you know. Also, just the fact that a company like atomic makes one says a lot. By most accounts, they make the best or near the best diving equipment out there and really doubt they would make the SS1 if they didn't believe in it or thought it could do it's job.

 

[RJP]

Everyone always talks about how bad an inflator/octo combo breathes, have you ever tried a high end one like the Atomic SS1? That thing breathes great, as good as most primary regulators.

Have you ever breathed off of it, while ascending from depth, with another (out of air) diver in your face, while venting?

Just wondering...

:cool2: