AquaLung LPO Octo

[taat2d]

Anyone ever use this octo? Is it a good easy breathing octo? Is it worth the money, or am I better off getting a more expensive adjustable octo?

 

[LUBOLD8431]

Yes, go with the LPO. An octo is an octo in my book... You will only use it in an out of air sit. or a sit. with your primary second stage... You dont need to go fancy for recreational diving. If you were doing technical diving, then you would have a secondary reg that would be similar to your primary (whole different ballgame)... SO, in short, the LPO is a fine octo, I use one on my rig with an APeks ATX-200 for when I am teaching and using single tanks, and then I use my Poseidons for the deeper stuff with doubles... Dont spend alot of money on an octo, save that money to put towards a little better primary.

 

[Hallmac]

But it is not the greatest. It is also not one to last forever. The body will loose its pigmentation and the slot that holds the control valve warps after several rebuilds.
There is no direction flow problems so it can be used and cleared in any position.
To get maximum breathing without free flow problems the control lever lock nut should be tightened fully and backed off 1/2 turn. It can then be adjusted to breath really light. If it is set up like normal the spring that controls the lever is too light.

Hallmac

 

[taat2d]

So I'm probably better off with the SP R190? Sounds like a much better quality reg.

 

[Zaphod]

The LPO is generally not recommended for an overbalanced first stage, like the ATX-200 or Legend series. Since the overbalancing adjusts the IP an additional 40% beyond "normal," the LPO (being a classic downstream valve, with a steeply angled lever) can begin to freeflow beyond 80ft (if adjusted according to mfr. specs). Withing rec. limits, a tech can detune it a little more, but it will breath like a serious dog at shallow depths. A balanced octo is more suitable for an overbalanced first.

 

[ckharlan66]

It breathed hard. It was hard to keep in the retainer. I don't recommend it. But this is just my experience.....YMMV.

Chad

 

[ScoobieDooo]

I used to have one...everyone who tried it loved it, and it breathed like a dream. When I went more into the direction of DIR, it wasn't going to work well as a necklaced reg so I sold it and went to a conventional shaped reg.

 

[Amphibious]

Hard breathing, very wet. I wouldn't trust it if I needed it. I love USDivers, but that reg is a peice of Sh...

Willer

 

[Charlie99]

Even when adjusted to have very low cracking pressure, my LPO still had a lot of breathing resistance.

I replaced it with a Dacor Vyper that also has a side exhaust, so it works the same upside down or right-side up. Even set at a higher cracking pressure, the Dacor Vyper delivers air with much less breathing resistance.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

Ummm... Zaphod, I dont think I am following you... Who told you this???

The LPO is generally not recommended for an overbalanced first stage, like the ATX-200 or Legend series. Since the overbalancing adjusts the IP an additional 40% beyond "normal," the LPO (being a classic downstream valve, with a steeply angled lever) can begin to freeflow beyond 80ft (if adjusted according to mfr. specs). Withing rec. limits, a tech can detune it a little more, but it will breath like a serious dog at shallow depths. A balanced octo is more suitable for an overbalanced first.

I regularly dive my APeks ATX-200 with my LPO to over 100 feet. AND, it has been down to 180 feet as well, with no freeflow. I think someone is pulling your chain buddy.