Alternate Inflation Regulators
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jplacson
Guest
Ok, I've been reading everyone's comments on combo inflator/octos...and I'm also still undecided...
To those who own combos...one question, can you retrofit it onto any BC? I'm buying a Halcyon Pioneer 27 and was wondering if a combo system can be fitted to it. Thanks!
To those who own combos...one question, can you retrofit it onto any BC? I'm buying a Halcyon Pioneer 27 and was wondering if a combo system can be fitted to it. Thanks!
JohnCollins
Guest
But, you'll likely need a longer corrugated hose. The Halcyons have shorter hoses, I believe, and with the Air2 you'll have your head stuck in a looking-left position while breathing it. If you put a longer hose on it, it should work fine.
I love my Air2. Can't think of any logical reason not to have one. Donating a long hose primary to an OOA diver, you always have the Air2 available and in the same place every time you go for it. You dump air from the shoulder or back dump if you're breathing the Air2. With practice it can be very efficient.
The only drawback I can think of is if your arm is not free to bring the Air2 to your mouth. Those in favor of a bungied backup say they can just duck their heads and grab the octo in their mouth without using their hands. If you're not worried about not being able to stuff the Air2 in your mouth, it works great!
JPC
I love my Air2. Can't think of any logical reason not to have one. Donating a long hose primary to an OOA diver, you always have the Air2 available and in the same place every time you go for it. You dump air from the shoulder or back dump if you're breathing the Air2. With practice it can be very efficient.
The only drawback I can think of is if your arm is not free to bring the Air2 to your mouth. Those in favor of a bungied backup say they can just duck their heads and grab the octo in their mouth without using their hands. If you're not worried about not being able to stuff the Air2 in your mouth, it works great!
JPC
I have an Air 2 and I am generally pleased with it. I am primarily a warm water recreational diver. The Air 2 has pros and cons:
Pros:
One less hose,
You won't be dragging it as you might with a loose octo (bungee would also solve this),
Larger buttons than the inflator had for BC functions, making the BC easier (not harder) to use,
Higher quality than the octo I replaced.
Cons:
The hose is a non-standard diameter and has larger fittings. If you need a standard hose for a lift bag or something else, then you won't reduce the number of hoses (Not a problem with some other models),
If you have a BC with wings that you change due to the variety of diving, the Air 2 is mounted to one wing. (Not a problem with some of the in-line models, but IMHO these models don't appear to be of the quality of the Air 2),
You should practice with it to be comfortable, as you should with any change in your equipment.
Other thoughts:
After using the Air 2 for awhile, I decided to put a 5' long hose on my primary, since that is what I would be handing to my buddy.
I don't agree with the idea that the Air 2 would be harder to find than a bungeed octo. If someone can't find their BC inflator, then they are pretty screwed up. That's not to say there are not other good reasons for the bungee set up, just that I don't buy that particular argument.
Pros:
One less hose,
You won't be dragging it as you might with a loose octo (bungee would also solve this),
Larger buttons than the inflator had for BC functions, making the BC easier (not harder) to use,
Higher quality than the octo I replaced.
Cons:
The hose is a non-standard diameter and has larger fittings. If you need a standard hose for a lift bag or something else, then you won't reduce the number of hoses (Not a problem with some other models),
If you have a BC with wings that you change due to the variety of diving, the Air 2 is mounted to one wing. (Not a problem with some of the in-line models, but IMHO these models don't appear to be of the quality of the Air 2),
You should practice with it to be comfortable, as you should with any change in your equipment.
Other thoughts:
After using the Air 2 for awhile, I decided to put a 5' long hose on my primary, since that is what I would be handing to my buddy.
I don't agree with the idea that the Air 2 would be harder to find than a bungeed octo. If someone can't find their BC inflator, then they are pretty screwed up. That's not to say there are not other good reasons for the bungee set up, just that I don't buy that particular argument.
JohnCollins
Guest
But it's about the only possible knock I can find on the Air2. If a shark bit off both your arms, maybe you could still grab your bungied octo with your teeth! Silly, but none of the other knocks I've read on the Air2 seem to have any merit.
I really like the Air2 a lot. I only dive one BC, but your issue with the different wings is a good one. Buy a big bag of cable ties at Home Depot or Lowes for a few bucks and swap it out. PITA somewhat, but can be done in a couple minutes, probably.
I really like the Air2 a lot. I only dive one BC, but your issue with the different wings is a good one. Buy a big bag of cable ties at Home Depot or Lowes for a few bucks and swap it out. PITA somewhat, but can be done in a couple minutes, probably.
jplacson
Guest
HAHAHA I actually had the EXACT same thoughts regarding the shark biting off both my arms... then I figured, if that happened... I think biting my octo would be one of the last things on my mind at the time. hahahaha
JohnCollins
Guest
Oooops!Jplacson, I wouldn't put an Air2 on a wing if it doesn't have a shoulder dump. I've not used a wing, only read about them here. But in another thread someone asked if it had a shoulder dump. If it does not, I would think the Air2 on it could be a safety issue because if you aren't a dive god and end up ascending in a heads-up, vertical position, you'll have to remove the Air2 to dump air.
This can be done, mind you, no doubts about that. But it does make an emergency situation needlessly more complicated. I wouldn't modify a wing with an Air2 unless it had a shoulder dump.
It's still a near perfect solution for my jacket style BC, however, and I still love it. I'm going to a wing (hopefully) next year, and I'll likely sell the Air2 with the BC rather than port it over.
Sorry if I encouraged you to buy one without knowing all the issues about wings. Doh!
JPC
jplacson
Guest
Oh don't worry... that was my primary concern when I first saw the Halcyon bladder....
Removing the octo to deflate isn't really a concern of mine... I've done a lot of dives with crappy rental equipment which changed from dive to dive... had a leak in my BC hose...so had to disconnect that during the dive... dive continued as planned...
had a free flowing octo...which our dive master fixed during the dive..I think he adjusted it to a harder setting... then he just buddied up with me...
I've never panicked when equipment fails underwater... OW classes prepared me for OOA situations... as long as you don't panic... you'll be ok.
I've had to orally inflate a BC throughout an entire dive cuz the BC hose was clogged or something...
And now that I'm buying my own gear... I'd like to make it as streamlined as possible... an emergency is just that... an emergency... you can only bring so much back-up gear... even an Air2 with a proper octo... and 2 backup ponies... and a buddy with exactly the same setup... could theoretically all fail together...
as long as you don't force any dangerous situation.. I think the Air2 on the Halcyon should be fine. If it fails... I'll abort... that simple. I'm gonna pack up, then go home... raise hell at the shop.. get my gear repaired... then dive again the next weekend. no big loss.
I feel that the Air2 has as much chance of failure as a regular octo... and if it does... there's always the shared regulator technique... not recommended... but at least it's always there as well.
I'd rather practise all emergency techniques, rather than rely on convenient backup systems. an octo is useless if your 1st stage fails anyway.
Removing the octo to deflate isn't really a concern of mine... I've done a lot of dives with crappy rental equipment which changed from dive to dive... had a leak in my BC hose...so had to disconnect that during the dive... dive continued as planned...
had a free flowing octo...which our dive master fixed during the dive..I think he adjusted it to a harder setting... then he just buddied up with me...
I've never panicked when equipment fails underwater... OW classes prepared me for OOA situations... as long as you don't panic... you'll be ok.
I've had to orally inflate a BC throughout an entire dive cuz the BC hose was clogged or something...
And now that I'm buying my own gear... I'd like to make it as streamlined as possible... an emergency is just that... an emergency... you can only bring so much back-up gear... even an Air2 with a proper octo... and 2 backup ponies... and a buddy with exactly the same setup... could theoretically all fail together...
as long as you don't force any dangerous situation.. I think the Air2 on the Halcyon should be fine. If it fails... I'll abort... that simple. I'm gonna pack up, then go home... raise hell at the shop.. get my gear repaired... then dive again the next weekend.
no big loss. I feel that the Air2 has as much chance of failure as a regular octo... and if it does... there's always the shared regulator technique... not recommended... but at least it's always there as well.
I'd rather practise all emergency techniques, rather than rely on convenient backup systems. an octo is useless if your 1st stage fails anyway.
scubahorse
Guest
Anyone tried the new Atomic alrernate airsource? How is it?
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