halocline
Contributor
TMay I ask what prevents stowing the extra length of standard hose in a different way than it's normal position floating above your head and to the right (which I agree isn't quite the streamlining I expected first time I wore it)? Without an octo down there, what are the dangers of simply routing it under your arm?
I will definitely consider the extra length of primary hose, for various reasons. I may decide go with miflex and get a foot or two longer at that point. I will definitely be at least trying it out and deciding from there.
It really feels sometimes like people don't like it (octo/inflator) because it's one of those 'too good to be true' type deals (which I understand), but have a lot of these folk actually even tried it, tested it, used it, etc? I think this variation in setup is at least worth considering, as long as it's safe.
The long hose is routed under your right arm, across your chest, over your left shoulder, behind your head, and into your mouth from the right. It lies comfortably on your torso, no loops sticking out. That's why it doesn't "float" around. The octo is on a very short hose, 22-24", and is worn around your neck on a bungie necklace. The bungie can break away in the unlikely case it gets caught on something. You can do a mid-length hose under your right arm, up, and connected to the reg with a 90o right angle fitting, and that's okay, still not as comfy as the long hose IMO.
Getting a standard length reg hose, only a foot or two longer, makes no sense. Decide on the hose routing you want, then get the ideal length you need for that routing. If you want to try the long hose routing without investing in a 5 ft hose, just take two regular hose and join them with a coupler that costs a few bucks. You can probably borrow a standard hose from someone to try.
An octo/inflator has never "sounded too good to be true" to me. When I first started diving, it seemed like a neat idea, so I tried one once in a pool, that was enough. I far prefer to dive with a dedicated octo and dedicated inflator mechanism. When you say "another hose to worry about" I've got to wonder what exactly it is you're worried about? If anything, the fact that the octo/inflators can't use standard LP inflator hoses is more of a worry than anything I can think of.
But, again, the dive gear/dive training industry loves to sell stuff, and new divers are their prime targets. So there are lots of products that seem like a good idea in the shop; that's what sells them.