Aqua Lung Airsource Question

[Eastbayfe]

I had been in the market for a BCD alternate air source so as to eliminate the conventional octo and hose. I came across a fairly good deal on the first run version of the Aqua Lung Airsource at my LDS and took the plunge. What is the overall opinion of those that have used this for a time?

 

[SelkieDVM]

I used an Airsource for about one year and didn't have any problems with it in terms of malfunctions or quality issues.

Hope this helps,
Lilla

 

[Notso_Ken]

I had been in the market for a BCD alternate air source so as to eliminate the conventional octo and hose. I came across a fairly good deal on the first run version of the Aqua Lung Airsource at my LDS and took the plunge. What is the overall opinion of those that have used this for a time?

Why eliminate the octo and hose? I see the Airsource as a solution in search of a problem.

If you do go that route, tho, get yourself GOOD training on it, and regularly practice out of air type situations with your dive buddies.

KEn

 

[jeffberry]

I have the airsource an like it a bunch! I also have the Atomic SSi I am not sure its better than the Airsource. The Atomic breaths nice at depth! The Airsource is not bad either. Get used to changing regs an sharing air so when it happens you no what to do. You will like the Airsource just fine

 

[Diver Dennis]

I've used the Airsource for about 4 years and have had no problems. I know it works because I had an incident with a diver in Mexico a couple of years ago who was OOA and used it while he was on my primary. Not as flexible as an octo perhaps but for the few times, if ever, you have to use it you can count on it.

As with any piece of gear, making sure it is serviced and practicing occasionally is key.

 

[Kevin Carlisle]

I have one and like it very much. Just get it serviced when you get your reg serviced and you should be good to go.

 

[resnick]

Why eliminate the octo and hose?

Speaking for myself: I'm all for eliminating hoses. I've got a transmitter for my HP to my dive computer. I've got an Airsource. Less hoses means less entanglements, less potential for things accidentally dragging on some coral, less things getting in your way. Really, 3 hoses (including my drysuit hose, reg, and Airsource) is much better than 5.

I see the Airsource as a solution in search of a problem.

I believe the Farberism for that is "It fills a well-needed gap". I disagree, but it's a good line.

 

[RadioActivPenguin]

I have on, it's going to be replaced pretty soon by a sherwood gemini. It developed a constant air leak where the air hose connects to it...wouldn't have been as big an issue if it had been more than 60 days old. Leak developed after 5 dives, not a lot of fun to be in Grand Cayman and be loosing 5 minutes of bottom time to a leak that can't be stopped without disabling my backup regulator. At least it was only $120, shows that you get what you pay for.

 

[Ed Palma]

... Leak developed after 5 dives, not a lot of fun to be in Grand Cayman and be loosing 5 minutes of bottom time to a leak that can't be stopped without disabling my backup regulator.

If the leak was there, it was probably the O-ring in the QD. I've had leaks like that before, and a simple o-ring swap fixed it. Alternatively, it could also be because the stem wasn't tightened enough. i got a pair of circlip pliers, plugged it into the holes around the stem and tightened it a bit.

Been debating about chanfing from my Airsource to a traditional octo, but since it seems to be working fine for me (and it seems more of my future dives will be solo), I think that it'll be with me a little while longer.
Performance wise, I can't complain. I regularly practice regulator swaps on my fun dives, and have had no problems with it thus far.

 

[thedalsusa]

Another thought in regards to service, typically, I find LDS service/inspect the entire BC and integrated octo for the price of an octo annual, compared to charging separately for the BC and octo.