7' hose Help

[MASS-Diver]

I have an APEX 200, my 7' hose recentley came into the LDS and as they threw it on they told that APEX didn't make a 7' hose (there's a reason for that, because 7' hoses are no good, they said),so they got me a hose with a smaller dimameter and told me to expect some lose of performance. I've taken quite a bit of teasing over this hose at the LDS, but, I like it anyways.

What brand of 7'ers are you guys using on your APEX regs (and where can I get one)?

Also, I wanted to get rid of my shadow AIRII and put my Sequest XR2 on as a sceondary reg (I'm diving with a single tank), but, I was told that no only that this was a bad idea ("wearing a reg on a necklace is a step backwards from AIRII and something else you will have to remove if you need to take off your BCD underwater"). They then said that with the APEX port had no place to put my XR2 since I'm running my drysuit hose off that side (I can't move if because of the direction the drysuit valve is pointing), and the only way that I could have my XR2 on the right side would be with a "T" value which would further reduce my perforamce already hurt by my 7' hose. Should I just run the XR2 on my left? Any thoughts. My LDS loves the AIR IIs (saying they are small and stay out of the way), but, I would rather have a nice reg and I don't like ascending with my shadow in my mouth trying to control my BCD.

Any help would much appreciated. I hope my questions are clear and I'll be glad to clarify. I'm an openwater diver for now, but, I'm training to go in wrecks (I dive year round here in New England). Thanks again.

 

[Lost Yooper]

First of all, who ever said you would lose performance is clueless. The performance difference between a short hose and a 7' hose is indistinguishable, as well as the port size. Be sure to question their advice from now on.

I think I use a Brownies 7' hose. I can't remember where I bought it, but EE would have the right hoses.

Also, forget about the Air II. Use a backup reg on a necklace.

Mike

 

[WreckWriter]

Yea, the Apeks has a 1/2" port. Most folks just plug it and use the 3/8" port but you can get a 7' 1/2" sized hose from fifthd.com. Try this url: http://fifthd.com/cgi-bin/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=5AG&Category_Code=RHHK

Yooper is 100% right. Put the AIRII on Ebay.

If you're diving a single though you really should get a Y or H valve and get another complete reg. True redundancy, especially if you're going to start doing wrecks.

Tom

 

[Uncle Pug]

MASS...
You have a clue-less or dishonest LDS....
Either case doesn't recommend them to your continued patronage...

The 7' standard 3/8" hose is identical to a 3/8" hose with a 1/2" fitting on the end... stick with the hose you have and spend the ~ $5 on an adapter... it only adds one static o-ring and is no big deal... that way you can use all four Apeks LP ports.

Forget the H or Y valve... if you are going to dive overheads correctly then you will be getting doubles anyway... right now just concentrate on learning the basics... and finding a good dive shop.

 

[The Chairman]

but it is obvious that you and your current LDS are on different paths. While all roads lead to water, you should find those that travel as you do. Trying to get the type of info you seek from a non-DIR oriented (or at least educated) LDS will only lead to frustration for the both of you.

I agree with your assessment on the Air II. I have two Tusa Duo-aires that should go on E-Bay, as I found the exact deficiencies with them. Many seem to like them, so that will help us in the long run.

Finally, learn from the terrible attitude of your LDS. No one likes the equipment that they use (and rely on) called junk or denigrated in any way. I am sure that their bad habits are a result of ignorance and laziness. Don't learn from them how to be an equipment snob. Keep your mind open, learn all you can about how others set up their equipment and make the best judgment you can... and realize that most all the other divers are trying to do their best too!

 

[rcohn]

Any reason why you can't loosen the drysuit valve, turn it to the angle you want, the retighten it? The ones I've seen can be set to any angle.

Ralph

 

[ckharlan66]

Very well put NetDoc. As usual.

Chad

 

[MASS-Diver]

Thank you all for the advice, it is much appreciated.

rcohn, I may end up just cutting out my drysuit vaule and repostitioning it, it lookd like it's justed sealed in with Aqualseal. It's a Whites suit.

 

[JamesK]

Just buy an Argon setup for the drysuit, and be done with it! LOL.

I would leave that LDS. Find someone else. If they think they could honestly tell a perfromance difference between hoses, then they are smoking something.

 

[MASS-Diver]

Thanks Big James. I'm going to try to get an argon set-up next fall/winter. I dive with some guys that have argon and they all love it (less cloths, less weight, more warmth).