Aqua Lung Air Source models? 1, 2, 3?

[glcoley]

I plan on buying and Air Scource to go on my recently acquired Black Diamond BC as my Sherwood Integrated Octo doesn't fit too well...
I see discussion on boards about Air Source 2 vs 3 models, is there a 1 or original Air Source?, are there 3 differnt models? and how do you tell them apart?

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Not trying to side track this but, and I might be out of line just something to think about. If you ever have to use the Airsource after you donate your primary bounancy will be a challenge being task loaded with an out of air buddy and trying to breathe from your air source then control bounancy.

I didn't realize how tought this was until I took a class that task loaded us with the above things I got rid of mine and went to a conventional inflator.

 

[beanojones]

The man has a point. One of the reasons why ScubaPro's Air2 works s well is that SP uses a front mounted inflator hose and a separate pull dump on the right shoulder.

That being said I am a big fan of Air2 and similar 'octopuses', becuase it is always there, as is the bit you hand off. I don't really like the bungie cord around my neck that is the oter way of keeping the 'octopus' at hand.

 

[SouthSideScubaSteve]

A coplue of comments:

The Black Diamond also has a right shoulder pull dump....

I dont' think the Airsource1 or 2 are still availible "new" (unless you find a LDS with some slow moving inventory) which is why I got the Airsource3 for my Black Diamond. I had thought about the potenial for bouancy issues in a shared air situation, but also don't like the thought of wrapping a hose around my neck on purpose.....

I'll be diving wiht it next weekend for the first time. My buddy has the same rig and we plan to drill shared-air acsents after each saftey stop so I'll let you know how it works (from both prespectives)

 

[SouthSideScubaSteve]

The man has a point. One of the reasons why ScubaPro's Air2 works s well is that SP uses a front mounted inflator hose and a separate pull dump on the right shoulder.

That being said I am a big fan of Air2 and similar 'octopuses', becuase it is always there, as is the bit you hand off. I don't really like the bungie cord around my neck that is the oter way of keeping the 'octopus' at hand.

Beano - do you run a longer hose on your primary to make it easier to share air??

My Legend has a 29" hose, which I'm thinking of changing for a 40" or 48" Miflex

 

[glcoley]

Thanks for the responses. I am used to diving with an integrated rig and like to streamline as much as I can, I sometimes dive on my octo's just so I am used to them...just in case. I have a couple of offers on Air Source and AS2 & AS3 over the internet but don't know the difference between the models. How do I tell the difference between them? Model numbers, different markings? or ??

 

[Tom Smedley]

The air source one and two models look the same on the outside. They both have a connection to connect the low pressure inflator hose directly to the unit. The difference between one and two are internal.

The Air Source 3 is permanently connected to the low pressure inflator hose. The buttons for inflation and deflation are both red and are on one side. The large corrugated hose connecting the inflator to the BCD breaks in the middle leaving the bottom half of the hose and the inflator unit attached to the regulator.

The model two is still available through mail order places.

 

[glcoley]

Thks
so 1 & 2 and look the same, functionaly about the same also?
I've seen the 3 now, it is clearly a different look and I've read about the features.

 

[beanojones]

Beano - do you run a longer hose on your primary to make it easier to share air??

My Legend has a 29" hose, which I'm thinking of changing for a 40" or 48" Miflex

I actually do the 5 foot loop under arm and around the neck, so most definitely I do a long hose.

 

[beanojones]

The air source one and two models look the same on the outside. They both have a connection to connect the low pressure inflator hose directly to the unit. The difference between one and two are internal.

The Air Source 3 is permanently connected to the low pressure inflator hose. The buttons for inflation and deflation are both red and are on one side. The large corrugated hose connecting the inflator to the BCD breaks in the middle leaving the bottom half of the hose and the inflator unit attached to the regulator.

That is a good thought to do that. Customers with Air2's always end up washing the inside of their reg until you point out that it is not such a good idea.