Am considering getting combo BCD inflator/Octopus

[SpartanDiver]

I just finished my pre-OW cert dives with an AIR II ScubaPro BCD rig and didn't care for them at all. They felt much more clumsy in the water than I liked. Also, air sharing combined with trying to lead another diver to the surface combined with venting combined with manual inflating on the surface was more pain than it was worth. Can you say task loading? I was able to effectively do it, but afterward I immediately called my brother and told him that I understand completely why the 7' long hose to the primary and bungied octo is the way to go.

 

[Oxy]

I just finished my pre-OW cert dives with an AIR II ScubaPro BCD rig and didn't care for them at all. They felt much more clumsy in the water than I liked. Also, air sharing combined with trying to lead another diver to the surface combined with venting combined with manual inflating on the surface was more pain than it was worth. Can you say task loading? I was able to effectively do it, but afterward I immediately called my brother and told him that I understand completely why the 7' long hose to the primary and bungied octo is the way to go.

why so long, 7ft?
and congrats on the pending cert

 

[RAWalker]

I just finished my pre-OW cert dives with an AIR II ScubaPro BCD rig and didn't care for them at all. They felt much more clumsy in the water than I liked. Also, air sharing combined with trying to lead another diver to the surface combined with venting combined with manual inflating on the surface was more pain than it was worth. Can you say task loading? I was able to effectively do it, but afterward I immediately called my brother and told him that I understand completely why the 7' long hose to the primary and bungied octo is the way to go.

At this point you don't have experience with a standard octo so you have based your opinion on 1 model of inflator/octo. Some are better than others. An experienced and practiced diver would probably use his shoulder dump valve instead of the inflator button allowing you to free your hand from the octo and hold on to or signal your buddy. Once in your mouth you shouldn't need to touch the thing again intil you are both safely on the surface. Then the inflator button is simply there to establish surface buoyancy.
As others have stated a panicked diver may not grab your standard octo they will often grab the second stage in your mouth leaving you to find the octo. What others don't mention is how many times the octo is disloged from the necklace while the OOA diver is pulling the regulator from your mouth.

 

[Oxy]

I just got talked into getting a combo again. I was thinking I could get a better octo if I got a standard rig but was informed the combo has the exact same internal parts (so whats the problem) Dive is over. only direction is up. Like the back inflate on the surface, it's a minor inconvenience.
SO!
any thoughts about an Atomic SS1? vs Oceanic Air XSII

 

[farsidefan1]

I use a scuba pro super glide BCD. Since I don't normally add air till I'm at the surface I have no need to dump air on the way up. I know exactly where it is, I know where all the dump valves are, even if vis is zero, my primary is long enough for buddy use and my buddy (wife) and I practice every trip sharing. To power inflate is easy on the surface (don't need it in my mouth anyway). I don't see any problems with an OOA situation at all. I know some descriptions of emergencies discussed have been very creative but my experience which only involves one OOA experience (with another diver from our boat, not my buddy - yeah, where the heck was his buddy???) was very easily handled with the combo unit. The whole thing was handled very calmly. Unlike some of the descriptions here.
From that point of view my experience is far more limited than many of my collegues here so keep that in mind, but I find many of the gripes about "One more thing to worry about" irrelevant once you are familiar with your gear. And your primary is MUCH more easy for your buddy to find. As long as you can find your backup blindfolded in the dark on a stormy night in a silt filled wreck your fine. Practice with your gear is the real key, with your buddy. And even if you're diving alone and assigned a buddy my comment about your primary being easiest to find still stands. Key is your being able to safely switch to your backup.

 

[Oxy]

(snip)
As long as you can find your backup blindfolded in the dark on a stormy night in a silt filled wreck your fine. (snip)

Yeah try finding a buddy's alternate in same conditions (bubbles easier to locate)

I'm doing all this with my imagination so I think I have a chance
that and when ever I was in the water I was pretending to be Mike Nelson
I can't wait, the hog is at risk again

 

[RAWalker]

I have a Sherwood Genesis I just passed to my wife. I purchased a Aquatec Air 3 for my new kit and dove it for the first time today.
The Aquatec Air 3 literally has all the bells and whistles. It has a built in surface and sub noise maker which works very well. That said it doesn't breath as well as the Gemini and the button placement doesn't seem natural to me. That may be a matter of getting used to the new toy time will tell.
The Sherwood Gemini breaths as well as many primary regs even at depth. Not that the Aquatec is bad just slightly more effort.
All in all I'm happy with the Aquatec but I'd suggest the Sherwood and if you want a subduck look at the accessory version.

I just got talked into getting a combo again. I was thinking I could get a better octo if I got a standard rig but was informed the combo has the exact same internal parts (so whats the problem) Dive is over. only direction is up. Like the back inflate on the surface, it's a minor inconvenience.
SO!
any thoughts about an Atomic SS1? vs Oceanic Air XSII

 

[dsstandiford]

I was certified and owned a two reg setup untill recently. I've never had to use my octo in an OOA situation. I just got a Scubapro Air2 and dumped my other reg (scubapro G250). And it is now my backup on the boat incase something happens predive. I have one hose to worry about underwater... my gauges. The Air2 is straped over my shoulder on the inflator hose and is in many cases EASIER for me to find then my primary. I've read about people doing the bungy thing around the neck but to me thats just more "stuff" restricting my movement. I know the Air2 will work when needed and I hope I never have to use it. So with that in mind I enjoy the benefits of a streamlined approach to my diving.

 

[mruseless]

While I'm one who currently subscribes to the notion that a traditional octo is a better way to go, I think its great that everyone here presents their arguments and you get a lot of discussion. People have strong opinions about this, almost as much so as the whole "spare air" thing.

I'm more comfortable with an octo setup, and it gives me a little flexibility when traveling, knowing that I could rent a BC if needed and not lose any functionality. As with so many things, it really boils down to personal preference.

Anyway, I basically said that in my earlier post, but just wanted to say thanks to all who are posting from both points of view. I find it interesting reading.

 

[RAWalker]

While I'm one who currently subscribes to the notion that a traditional octo is a better way to go, I think its great that everyone here presents their arguments and you get a lot of discussion. People have strong opinions about this, almost as much so as the whole "spare air" thing.

I'm more comfortable with an octo setup, and it gives me a little flexibility when traveling, knowing that I could rent a BC if needed and not lose any functionality. As with so many things, it really boils down to personal preference.

Anyway, I basically said that in my earlier post, but just wanted to say thanks to all who are posting from both points of view. I find it interesting reading.

You could use a octo like the Sherwood Shadow that goes inline with a standard low pressure inflator hose. That way you get the ability to integrate your regs with a rental BC and still get some of the benefits of the integrated octo.( Location, extra octo hose elimination) A number of manufacturers also offer that style.