5ft or 7ft hose for DIR setup

[TSandM]

When you are diving a single tank, the first stage is roughly in the middle of your back. When you are diving doubles, the right post is several inches to the right of the middle of your back, so you actually have more "length" on the hose leaving the right post in doubles.

A seven foot hose will route comfortably for essentially everybody. A few people find a 5' hose too short to route nicely. There is no extra hose "flopping around" with a seven footer . . . it's all wrapped quite neatly. If you are using a backplate setup, where you can put a pocket or knife or something on the right hip to route the 7' hose underneath, then I really don't see a big advantage to buying a 5' hose. I only recommend them to people who want to use a long hose but are using a traditional BC, where it's harder to route a 7'.

 

[Rainer]

No, the routing and deployment are NOT the same. The 7' hose has extra length that must be secured (under a can light, shears, knife, pocket, etc). Due to this, an extra step is added in the deployment (i.e. clear the entire hose after donation). While it's certainly a minor point, it *is* a different routing and deployment procedure. I see no reason not to learn it from the start if there's any chance this will be a configuation you'll some day go to for overhead diving.

I don't see any point to the 'consistency' argument of always using a 7' hose, the routing is the same, the deployment is the same, the skill is the same,

 

[stargost]

Unfortunately, like many other things, you'll very likely have to try both a few time before you pick the one config you prefer.

By the way, did you solve the backup reg hose length ? 22, 24, 26? I have found getting the right length on this one to be even more of a 'problem', for both single and double.

 

[eelnoraa]

Oh, thank for bringing this up. I have some other issue with the backup. When I bought my reg, I didn't foresee myself doiong UTD/DIR setup. I bought Hollis DC2 with 212 2nd stage with swivel, and I thought it was a cool feature.

Only now I realize the fitting on the 212 is NOT standard, so I cannot simplely swap the swivel hose to long hose. I was thinking for the time being, I will use long hose on my current octo, which is an Oceanic Neo. And 212 will be come my backup on neckless. It will be a bit long, but this should be OK for now, right?

Unfortunately, like many other things, you'll very likely have to try both a few time before you pick the one config you prefer.

By the way, did you solve the backup reg hose length ? 22, 24, 26? I have found getting the right length on this one to be even more of a 'problem', for both single and double.

 

[knowone]

Five foot and only the bugs see it unfurled in all its glory. The only thing you should wrap around your neck are a womans, arms. Or a mans.

 

[rongoodman]

I use a 7' hose all the time. If I'm not wearing my can light, such as on a couple of recent drift dives, I just tuck it in my waistbelt, where it stays without problem, unless I need to pull it out.

 

[deepdvr1]

The 7 foot hose will route better under your canister light that should be part of your standardized tech rig.

 

[Tortuga68]

While it's certainly a minor point, it *is* a different routing and deployment procedure

Agreed on both points; it's both different and minor

The difference between singles and doubles is much bigger

 

[Belmont]

I am planning to take UTD essential, need to convert current reg setup into long hose. I went to LDS, they said 5ft is usually good for single tank, 7ft usually used for people with double. Is this true? I am 5'6". Should I go for 5ft for 7ft?

The choice of hose length is not simply related to diving singles or doubles only.
It's the type of diving you intend to pursue, either in singles or doubles.

 

[no excuses]

I have used both and prefer the 7', I tuck it under my waist belt with no problems, this is in a single setup.