Calypso Octopus with Legend first stage compatability?

[BadabingM3]

I orderd a Legend Agua Lung first stage and reg but not knowingly I orderd a calypso titan octopus reg from Leisure pro. The web page didn't specify the compatability and when it arived I realized the mix up with the "Octopus Range" sheet supplied with the octopus regulator.

So the instructions say that the calypso titan is not compatable with a Legend first stage and can cause air leaking at deeper depths. My problem is that I'm leaving this next Tuesday for the Maldives and I doubt I'm gonna find a Aqua lung dealer here in the Uk that has the Legend octopus on hand.

I'm not one to screw with life support systems but how critical is this issue with the calypso titan octopus with the legend first stage?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Fishpie]

There's a very, very, slight possibility that the "over balanced" enviro seal of the 1st stage might over power the Calypso and cause a small free flow.
Here's what you can do to test if a small increase in intermediate pressure will cause a leak from the Calypso.
Hook rig to a tank.
Press your thumb on the environmental diaphragm with about 10 lbs of pressure...this will raise the IP.
No hiss from the Calypso and you're good to go.

Option 2

Swap the Calypso and primary 2nd stage around and use the Calypso as your main 2nd stage. Now you're breathing from the 2nd stage that could have a very small leak as you go deeper. You won't even know if it is leaking as you are breathing from it anyway.

Don't sweat it.....many many people have used an unbalanced 2nd stage with an "over balanced" 1st stage.


.....lucky bugger. Have fun in the Indian Ocean.

 

[BadabingM3]

Wow! I figured it would be a bit more critical. Thanks for info. There is a dive shop in Ipswitch here that might have it and I'll know as soon as I call when their open. If so then I'm set. If not then I'll take your advice and check it out. Problem is though after I use the octopus, I doubt I can return it and later get the proper reg. Thanks and hope the weather holds out!

 

[Fishpie]

Rob....one other thing to concider, since you're out looking for a replacement.
The Apeks 2nd stages are internally identical to the AquaLung 2nd stages. You could get an Apeks XTX.
If you do this there will not be a hassle when it comes time to get the service done since Apeks and AquaLung are part of the same company and any AquaLung dealer will be able to service the Apeks.

 

[BadabingM3]

Thanks, luckaly the dive shop here has a Legend Octopus I'm about to go pick up and return the other one. Of couse though I'm paying $1.64 to 1 British pound sterling and the price is about 120 pounds. Cost of being stationed overseas. But I'll sleep better at night. LOl! Ok, thanks for your help.

Rob

 

[pygmyghostpipeturtle]

I orderd a Legend Agua Lung first stage and reg but not knowingly I orderd a calypso titan octopus reg from Leisure pro. The web page didn't specify the compatability and when it arived I realized the mix up with the "Octopus Range" sheet supplied with the octopus regulator.

That's the problem with ordering dive gear online. You might save a few bucks on the product, but in the end, the advice and after sales service you get from your local dealer might be worth the few extra dollars (pounds/euro..)
Grey market products also don't carry warranties..

 

[herman]

This came up a little while back and got me curious. Based on what I could find the "overbalance"....or more correcly "over depth compensating" feature of the Legend and other AL/Apeks regs adds about extra 15 psi to the IP of the first stage at 100ft. Most second stages will not be effected at all. I tried some admittidly unscientific experiments with several second stages I had. Tuning the seconds stages to the easiest breathing I could and increasing the first stage IP to simulate the "overbalance" at depth, the worst one of the bunch started to freeflow at a depth equilivent of 170 ft and several I never did get to freeflow. I stopped at an equilivent depth of 280 ft. Tuning them to factory "octo" specs would push the depths much deeper. Bottom line, it's unlikely to cause you any problems. If it does it will be a slight freeflow at depth over 90 ft and if you do experience a problem, a simple tweek of the tuning will fix the problem.