Combo Inflator/Octo or seperate?
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Scared Silly
Contributor
I posted this analogy in another thread:
Octo/inflator == run flat tire
cheap octo == mini spare
std primary reg == full spare
Octo/inflator == run flat tire
cheap octo == mini spare
std primary reg == full spare
eelnoraa
Contributor
couldnt have said it better
inflator/Octo I like the one less hose Both my sets are the same
Cheers
Michael
Cheers
Michael
"The AIR 2 is a solution in search of a problem!" You read that all the time on the boards, but for some of us it was quite the contrary. Forgive me if I get a few timeline details mixed up, but in the early seventies we learned to dive before the BC, power inflator, and octopus were "required" pieces of equipment. In my Basic Open Water class we had pressure gauges, but the moss backs in the dive club I joined still had a J valve or an SPG rule, but I digress.
So how did the AIR 2 fit into my scuba equipment evolution? Well, around the time the AIR 2 was introduced (late seventies) not all regulators in service had more than two lp ports. In fact some only had one. My Dacor Olympic had 1 hp and two lp ports and there were plenty of other regulators outfitted similarly. When the "industry" started pushing buoyancy compensators, power inflators, then a safe second/octopus on us, we had to attach multi-port swivels to satisfy those requirements. But ScubaPro came out with a unique solution-the inflator regulator. It made a lot more sense to many of us who learned buddy breathing in Basic Open Water. Give up (and not have to share) your primary and breathe off the secondary. It had the added advantage of a regulator you could take a drag from, then exhaled air directly into the BC just as we did before power inflators.
So the AIR 2 was a solution to a solution in search of a problem.
I still use one, albeit a 3rd generation. If you decide to incorporate one into your system, don't forget you'll be donating your primary, so a longer primary hose is necessary. I've also found using the correct length corrugated hose and a Myflex regulator hose with an AIR 2 quick disconnect coupling makes the "can't turn your head" complaint a non-issue.
YMMV,
Couv
So how did the AIR 2 fit into my scuba equipment evolution? Well, around the time the AIR 2 was introduced (late seventies) not all regulators in service had more than two lp ports. In fact some only had one. My Dacor Olympic had 1 hp and two lp ports and there were plenty of other regulators outfitted similarly. When the "industry" started pushing buoyancy compensators, power inflators, then a safe second/octopus on us, we had to attach multi-port swivels to satisfy those requirements. But ScubaPro came out with a unique solution-the inflator regulator. It made a lot more sense to many of us who learned buddy breathing in Basic Open Water. Give up (and not have to share) your primary and breathe off the secondary. It had the added advantage of a regulator you could take a drag from, then exhaled air directly into the BC just as we did before power inflators.
So the AIR 2 was a solution to a solution in search of a problem.
I still use one, albeit a 3rd generation. If you decide to incorporate one into your system, don't forget you'll be donating your primary, so a longer primary hose is necessary. I've also found using the correct length corrugated hose and a Myflex regulator hose with an AIR 2 quick disconnect coupling makes the "can't turn your head" complaint a non-issue.
YMMV,
Couv
OP
-=Striker=-
Registered
Yeah I already anticipated the use of the inflator as my main in an emergency situtation while the primary goes to my buddy, something i'm not really too concerned about to be honest. I've already planned to purchase a slightly longer more flexible hose for my primary anyway, for a couple of reasons.
It's one of those things that I'd use it in an emergency situation only, and it would be to ascend safely and end the dive. If my main goes, I'm probably not going to continue the dive breathing off it as I might do with a standard octo, and if i do with the majority of diving i have planned coming up in the next few months it'll be a lot of sitting on the bottom doing observations and moving to the next spot so I suspect i could make it work rather than having to fumble with it while plowing through kelp or around reefs.
Thanks for all the input... now to find the right one. I don't think that ScubaPro Air2 will fit on my BC D-:
It's one of those things that I'd use it in an emergency situation only, and it would be to ascend safely and end the dive. If my main goes, I'm probably not going to continue the dive breathing off it as I might do with a standard octo, and if i do with the majority of diving i have planned coming up in the next few months it'll be a lot of sitting on the bottom doing observations and moving to the next spot so I suspect i could make it work rather than having to fumble with it while plowing through kelp or around reefs.
Thanks for all the input... now to find the right one. I don't think that ScubaPro Air2 will fit on my BC D-:
Striker,
I meant use a long hose primary flexible or regular. Do a search of "long hose primary". But use a flexible hose on the octo/inflator.
Incidentally, with the correct corrugated hose, I'm sure an AIR 2 will work on your BC. If you currently have a 3/4 inch hose, you can do as I did and stretch it after a very hot bath, or use an adapter, or purchase a special hose that's 3/4 inch on one end and 1 inch on the other-Northeast Scuba Supply has them.
Backplate and Wings - Wings/BC Parts - Corrugated Hoses - Elbows - Quick Dumps - 12'' Corrugated Adapter Hose - Northeast Scuba Supply
Couv
I meant use a long hose primary flexible or regular. Do a search of "long hose primary". But use a flexible hose on the octo/inflator.
Incidentally, with the correct corrugated hose, I'm sure an AIR 2 will work on your BC. If you currently have a 3/4 inch hose, you can do as I did and stretch it after a very hot bath, or use an adapter, or purchase a special hose that's 3/4 inch on one end and 1 inch on the other-Northeast Scuba Supply has them.
Backplate and Wings - Wings/BC Parts - Corrugated Hoses - Elbows - Quick Dumps - 12'' Corrugated Adapter Hose - Northeast Scuba Supply
Couv
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beanojones
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OP
-=Striker=-
Registered
Where exactly is the measurement taken. Is that inside diameter of the adapter opening or OD?
@Couv, I gotcha with the hose thing. I just got a lab-mate who has a flexible hose for his main and i want to replace my current hose with a slightly longer one anyway.. it's just a bit of a stretch at the moment so i figure if i go just a hair longer (talkin 2" longer maybe) and flexible it'll be better for primary use as well as emergency situations
@Couv, I gotcha with the hose thing. I just got a lab-mate who has a flexible hose for his main and i want to replace my current hose with a slightly longer one anyway.. it's just a bit of a stretch at the moment so i figure if i go just a hair longer (talkin 2" longer maybe) and flexible it'll be better for primary use as well as emergency situations
The inside diameter of the corrugated hose should be about the same size as the outside diameter of the AIR 2 or inflator you want to mount it on. An AIR 2 normally takes a 1 inch i.d. corrugated hose.
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