Blue Sparkle
Contributor
I am diving with single tanks and I have a Zeagle Flathead VI regulator. I'm using a 5' primary hose. I like the overall setup, but I am wondering if I could improve it.
My one complaint is that the loop of hose that runs around behind my head (after it crosses my chest and before it gets around to the front again), tends to "flip up" so it's like I have a hoop over my head (picture a bucket with the bail standing upright). I push it back down and continue on, but it would be nicer if it didn't "hoop" in the first place.
Here is a photograph of the regulator; the ports are symmetrical on both sides:
Notes:
*The regulator does not have a bottom port, and if I twist it around so that the primary regulator hose does angle down, then the inflator and HP hoses (on the other side) point up at an awkward angle.
*Is this just the way it is with a 5' hose? In other words, would I get "the hoop" even if I was able to route the house straight down from a bottom port? I know that the neck loop is one step removed from the place where the hose comes out from the first stage, but I still think that maybe if it started out angling down, the hoop might be ameliorated. But of course I can't try that.
*I imagine that a 7' hose that goes down and tucks under a light or in the waistband of my BC might alleviate this (?), but for my current typical OW boat dives, I'm not sure I need or want the extra hose length, so I'm looking to keep the 5' hose for now.
*I had pretty much resigned myself to "buy a reg with a bottom port next time" (I hadn't ever dived with this type of hose setup when I bought the reg), but then someone posted about using an adapter from Dive Gear Express that basically makes the LP hose take a right angled turn as it exits the first stage. Hmmm.... In principle, I'm against extra fittings, swivels, and the like; but on the other hand, I guess I'm already relying on quite a few O-rings and threaded connections, so maybe it's okay to have one more presuming I keep things maintained and inspected (without which the rest of the gear is equally "bad"). I'm on the fence about this.
Here is a photo of the adapter:
Adapters and Special Fittings - Dive Gear Express
So.... does anyone here dive with a similar set-up who has come up with a good routing? Do you just live with the "hoop"? Thoughts on the adapter? Get a different reg next time?
Overall I'm very happy with the reg, and I like the hose set-up, so it's not a huge complaint; just something I would not mind tweaking/improving if possible.
Much appreciate any input
Blue Sparkle
My one complaint is that the loop of hose that runs around behind my head (after it crosses my chest and before it gets around to the front again), tends to "flip up" so it's like I have a hoop over my head (picture a bucket with the bail standing upright). I push it back down and continue on, but it would be nicer if it didn't "hoop" in the first place.
Here is a photograph of the regulator; the ports are symmetrical on both sides:
Notes:
*The regulator does not have a bottom port, and if I twist it around so that the primary regulator hose does angle down, then the inflator and HP hoses (on the other side) point up at an awkward angle.
*Is this just the way it is with a 5' hose? In other words, would I get "the hoop" even if I was able to route the house straight down from a bottom port? I know that the neck loop is one step removed from the place where the hose comes out from the first stage, but I still think that maybe if it started out angling down, the hoop might be ameliorated. But of course I can't try that.
*I imagine that a 7' hose that goes down and tucks under a light or in the waistband of my BC might alleviate this (?), but for my current typical OW boat dives, I'm not sure I need or want the extra hose length, so I'm looking to keep the 5' hose for now.
*I had pretty much resigned myself to "buy a reg with a bottom port next time" (I hadn't ever dived with this type of hose setup when I bought the reg), but then someone posted about using an adapter from Dive Gear Express that basically makes the LP hose take a right angled turn as it exits the first stage. Hmmm.... In principle, I'm against extra fittings, swivels, and the like; but on the other hand, I guess I'm already relying on quite a few O-rings and threaded connections, so maybe it's okay to have one more presuming I keep things maintained and inspected (without which the rest of the gear is equally "bad"). I'm on the fence about this.
Here is a photo of the adapter:
Adapters and Special Fittings - Dive Gear Express
So.... does anyone here dive with a similar set-up who has come up with a good routing? Do you just live with the "hoop"? Thoughts on the adapter? Get a different reg next time?
Overall I'm very happy with the reg, and I like the hose set-up, so it's not a huge complaint; just something I would not mind tweaking/improving if possible.
Much appreciate any input
Blue Sparkle
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