Air2 Pros? Cons?

[drbill]

Although I dive with one, I'm not a big fan of it. I dive solo most of the time so the Air-2 wouldn't be used due to a buddy ripping my main secondary out of my mouth. I carry an extra octo and a pony (thank you Larry and Scuba Toys for the new one) as my real backups.

What I don't like about the Air-2 is that well meaning assigned buddies have several times "helped" me put my BC on and whacked me in the eye, nose and mouth with the Air-2. Three times it resulted in significant blood letting. I just told my assigned buddy it would help us attract sharks. Two were actually a bit freaked out about it.

 

[BigJetDriver]

:laughing:

 

[D_B]

I have an Air2 on my Knighthawk and it is nice to always have it at hand but there are drawbacks , you have to grab onto the OOA persons BC to keep close enough to not pull the reg out of his mouth and you need to go over this when discussing your rig with your buddy before diving
I do have the adapter to convert my reg to a standard size and I have a longer hose on my primary to help with the above condition of too short of hose and to make it more comfortible to share. I still think you had better grab onto the OOA's BC to take control of the situation (don't want them bolting to the surface with your reg in there mouth, dragging you along) make eye contact, calm them down, etc

DB

 

[BSea]

I use an air 2, but I'm not a big fan. Put it down as something I wouldn't buy again.

Pros: Reduced clutter.
Makes setup easier.

Cons: Hard to use. (I have to hold it in my mouth or bite down really hard.)


In my mind it's a wash, and something of a personal preference. Fine for OW, but not for tech.

 

[tedj01]

Another pro I have not seen mentioned often, air2 gives you the diver access to air with either hand.

 

[spectrum]

How does everyone feel about the AIR2 system? Me? Not sure I like it. Just something about my buddy ripping my primary out of my mouth in an emergency scares me. I'll just stick to an octo with a 6 foot hose.

Bryan

Air2? No good can come from it. here are my thoughts
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=1169848&postcount=3

Pete

 

[tjmills]

Although I dive with one, I'm not a big fan of it. I dive solo most of the time so the Air-2 wouldn't be used due to a buddy ripping my main secondary out of my mouth. I carry an extra octo and a pony (thank you Larry and Scuba Toys for the new one) as my real backups.

What I don't like about the Air-2 is that well meaning assigned buddies have several times "helped" me put my BC on and whacked me in the eye, nose and mouth with the Air-2. Three times it resulted in significant blood letting. I just told my assigned buddy it would help us attract sharks. Two were actually a bit freaked out about it.

You keep getting hit in the head because your rig weighs 800lbs with the second pony attached and your buddy can't lift it!

Just kidding (kind of) but I must admit that I am considering the same kind of rig.

 

[tjmills]

Guys, I just don't agree with some of you. I like the Air2 or something like it. With the pull dump and access to the regulator on each side its just comfortable for me and I have no trouble using it and do to practice with it. Never upside down, no issues.

I also agree that for a tech set up I would use my other Reg setup with the octo. My feeling here is practice with what you have and be comfortable with it in any possible scenerio or at least as much as you can be. Having a long hose on an octo and still not being able to use it when you need to is just as bad if not worse in my opinion.

It's all about preference but if you start giving me **** on the boat.....we are going to have to take it into the wheelhouse.

 

[Lake Muroc Diver]

I dive with total strangers most of the time. I brief my new buddy on my backup regulator, Atomics SS1, and the need use my primary and to stay close if we need to share my bottle. I regularly practice ascents while on the backup to get used to the airdump and breath sequence. I like to be a diver that does not drag the octo in the reef or sand like so many divers do. I also like it "right there" all the time, not trailing back there somewhere. Mine is not uncomfortable to use if it is aligned correctly on the hose when attached. Grab my primary out of my mouth and I may not "GUT YOU" but you will owe me lunch.

 

[ththooft]

I also don't mind my Air2. Granted I've also never been in an OOA situation, but I have trained a lot with my Air2. That being said, I think the major benefit is the streamlining and eliminating the a hose.