Aqualung Octo Help…

[tursiops]

By best I mean the one that makes the most sense. Ive read that if you put on a different octo from the legend on the Legend first stage you can have issues with free flow... I Guess in a nut shell im just trying to figure out if I just go for the Legend LX octo or is there better choice - or is there a less expensive choice that will be as equally suitable.

What you've read is a misstatment.
The key to free flows is a combination of the Intermediate Pressure (IP) from the first stage, and the cracking pressure of the octo. Too high an IP, and the octo will free flow. Octo adjusted wrong or a bad seat and it will free flow.

The IP is usually around 140 psi, plus or minus about 5 psi.
Almost ALL first and second stages can work with each other if they both adjusted correctly. Honestly, buying an AquaLung octo new is not a guarantee that it is adjusted correctly, and getting something back from service is especially not a guarantee. This is one reason not to get the cheapest octo; one with an adjustable cracking pressure allows you to match things better with no special tools and knowledge.

Again, there is no need to brand-match, other than personal aesthetics. Save money by buying yoru octo used, just be aware it may need adjustment, or even service.

It sounds like you don't believe any of this, and really want to buy a new AqualLung octo, and just want to be assured it is not a dumb thing to do. Fine, but you'll spend more than you need to spend.

 

[Golfer1633]

Tursiops - Thank you for clarifying. I appreciate your help on this topic. I do believe it, im just buying my own gear for the first time and want to get it right- I really appreciate the feedback though. I did read that it really all comes to IP with regs- Im just trying to prevent any issues and being new at buying gear, im apprehensive thats all. Ive actually been looking at some Cressi Octos that are like 100 bucks on amazon - They seem like workhorses and have a pre dive dive switch - Just considering it.

 

[tursiops]

Keep an eye open for specials from the larger online shops, like:

Buy Best Sea Elite Scout Compact Octopus at Best Price | Divers Supply

Sea Elite Scout Compact Octopus

www.divers-supply.com

XS Scuba Octopus Altair Black Hose

XS Scuba Octopus Altair Black Hose

www.divers-supply.com

Sea Elite Covert Octopus

Sea Elite Covert Octopus

www.divers-supply.com

Sherwood Minimus Octo | Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL

Our standard octopus lines are precision engineered to provide the same outstanding reliability as your primary Sherwood regulator. The Sherwood Minimus SR3108 (SR3108L - left hand) is the first regulator designed specifically as a backup air source. The Shadow+ SR3209 octo couples directly to...

www.diverightinscuba.com

Nano Octopus

Rugged and economical, this octopus is a great choice for a new diver’s rig or can take the high-use demands of a rental department. It can also be used with either Air or Nitrox up to 40 % right out-of-the-box. Yellow EDGE Nano Unbalanced Sport 2nd Stage with 40” Yellow Edge-Flex Hose. The...

www.diverightinscuba.com

Standard Octopus

If you've been hunting for an Octopus that is easy-to-use and can take the hard knocks that dive gear inevitable endures, look no further. The XS Scuba Standard Octopus is designed for the diver who wants the reliability of knowing they have a safe second in an emergency, but doesn't want to...

www.diverightinscuba.com

Hollis 100LX Octopus

The 100LX Octopus delivers great performance at a moderate price. The packing nut & end cap come in stainless steel. All LX regulators come standard with 36"" (91cm) MiFlex hoses and orthodontic mouthp

www.scuba.com

Cressi XS Octopus

The XS Octopus is a lightweight, high performance second stage regulator. The XS has a Venturi dive/pre-dive switch which will help control the sensitivity of the regulator when not in use, yet when sw

www.scuba.com

XS Scuba Standard Octopus

If you've been hunting for an Octopus that is easy-to-use and can take the hard knocks that dive gear inevitable endures, look no further. The XS Scuba Standard Octopus is designed for the diver who wa

www.scuba.com

 

[scrane]

Tursiops is correct in saying that just about any regulator can be adjusted to make a fine safe second. I just couldn't make that happen with the Atomic Z1 I bought for that purpose. The Legend worked fine out of the box so that's what I use. No user adjustable poppit but effective venturi control.
Brand matching is good when you have the set serviced to guarantee your shop has the expertise and parts available for all the components. Otherwise it's generally not a big deal.
I did, at one time, have a Cressi Octo and I can say it was the worst breathing second stage I ever had.

 

[scrane]

Keep an eye open for specials from the larger online shops, like:

Buy Best Sea Elite Scout Compact Octopus at Best Price | Divers Supply

Sea Elite Scout Compact Octopus

www.divers-supply.com

XS Scuba Octopus Altair Black Hose

XS Scuba Octopus Altair Black Hose

www.divers-supply.com

Sea Elite Covert Octopus

Sea Elite Covert Octopus

www.divers-supply.com

Sherwood Minimus Octo | Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL

Our standard octopus lines are precision engineered to provide the same outstanding reliability as your primary Sherwood regulator. The Sherwood Minimus SR3108 (SR3108L - left hand) is the first regulator designed specifically as a backup air source. The Shadow+ SR3209 octo couples directly to...

www.diverightinscuba.com

Nano Octopus

Rugged and economical, this octopus is a great choice for a new diver’s rig or can take the high-use demands of a rental department. It can also be used with either Air or Nitrox up to 40 % right out-of-the-box. Yellow EDGE Nano Unbalanced Sport 2nd Stage with 40” Yellow Edge-Flex Hose. The...

www.diverightinscuba.com

Standard Octopus

If you've been hunting for an Octopus that is easy-to-use and can take the hard knocks that dive gear inevitable endures, look no further. The XS Scuba Standard Octopus is designed for the diver who wants the reliability of knowing they have a safe second in an emergency, but doesn't want to...

www.diverightinscuba.com

Hollis 100LX Octopus

The 100LX Octopus delivers great performance at a moderate price. The packing nut & end cap come in stainless steel. All LX regulators come standard with 36"" (91cm) MiFlex hoses and orthodontic mouthp

www.scuba.com

Cressi XS Octopus

The XS Octopus is a lightweight, high performance second stage regulator. The XS has a Venturi dive/pre-dive switch which will help control the sensitivity of the regulator when not in use, yet when sw

www.scuba.com

XS Scuba Standard Octopus

If you've been hunting for an Octopus that is easy-to-use and can take the hard knocks that dive gear inevitable endures, look no further. The XS Scuba Standard Octopus is designed for the diver who wa

www.scuba.com

Do you recommend all of these regs?

 

[tursiops]

Do you recommend all of these regs?

I don't recommend, or not recommend, any of them. I'm just showing octos under $100 from the larger online shops. The OP was looking at Amazon; there are other sources.

 

[Golfer1633]

Tursiops is correct in saying that just about any regulator can be adjusted to make a fine safe second. I just couldn't make that happen with the Atomic Z1 I bought for that purpose. The Legend worked fine out of the box so that's what I use. No user adjustable poppit but effective venturi control.
Brand matching is good when you have the set serviced to guarantee your shop has the expertise and parts available for all the components. Otherwise it's generally not a big deal.
I did, at one time, have a Cressi Octo and I can say it was the worst breathing second stage I ever had.

OK - Well that helps steer away from Cressi Octo - I'm going to try to stick with an Aqua Lung of some sort just for simplifying service. I'm also going to buy new as preowned plus the service does seem to make much financial sense.

 

[Bigbella]

I'd echo the sentiment of some others, about picking up the same brand of second stage as an octopus -- again, for the sake of simplifying the required annual or biannual servicing. I've known a few divers, over the years, who have gone the cheap-o route, only to be later told by shops, that they either didn't or wouldn't service some "tall-toad" bargain basement brand of second stage -- occasionally by the same LDS that originally sold them that crap, usually at some notorious annual sale, at prices soooo low.

Save yourself a headache.

When I began first diving, we didn't typically use octopuses; didn't even have one for the first decade or more; but when they became, well . . . fashionable, I really had little choice in terms of a second stage, since I was already diving a regulator, whose intended IP was then 12.5 bar (about 182 psi) -- and could really only be paired with the same model . . .

 

[rhwestfall]

Regulator Scubapro secound Stage R295 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Regulator Scubapro secound Stage R295 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

there are a few of them on the site besides this one if you want yellow....

 

[tursiops]

When I began first diving, we didn't typically use octopuses; didn't even have one for the first decade or more; but when they became, well . . . fashionable,

Me too. Except they became required because they were safer than buddy-breathing from a single reg, not because it was fashionable.