Diving Doubles?

[PerroneFord]

I find that everything associated with technical diving at least twice as expensive as rec diving. Two good DIN regulators, doubles wing, manifold, bands, deco bottles, o2 cleaned reg, stage straps, bolt snaps, stage bands, and on and on. It's worth it. though.

While this is true in some special cases, it has been the opposite for me in a lot of cases, including BC, computer, regs, and some other gear.

My BP/W was cheaper than my old recreational BC
My DR Reg setup was less than my old Oceaninc. (Priced a titanium reg lately?)
My BT is cheaper than MANY recreational computers.
How much are those spare airs?
Etc...

What I have found is that recreational diving purchases often tend to be dead end solutions meaning they have no purpose going forward in diving, and are thusly VERY expensive. Most true tech gear can be used for everything from a 40ft reef dive to a 400ft decompressions dive, or a cave dive. If I can buy a piece of gear once, and have it work for 20 more years of diving, that's not bad.

However, sometimes things like scooters, are just expensive no matter HOW you look at it!

 

[TheRedHead]

While this is true in some special cases, it has been the opposite for me in a lot of cases, including BC, computer, regs, and some other gear.

rec diving = 1 regulator
tech diving = at least 3 regulators.

For me, thats 2 Apeks plus 1 Zeagle Envoy (for the deco bottole) and over $1500 just in regs. For deep diving, you need very good regulators.

I've not heard the argument before that technical diving can be done inexpensively. But I agree that much of the equipment that the rec diver has already in invested in will not be suitable for tech diving.

 

[PerroneFord]

rec diving = 1 regulator
tech diving = at least 3 regulators.

For me, thats 2 Apeks plus 1 Zeagle Envoy (for the deco bottole) and over $1500 just in regs. For deep diving, you need very good regulators.

I've not heard the argument before that technical diving can be done inexpensively. But I agree that much of the equipment that the rec diver has already in invested in will not be suitable for tech diving.

Well, I disagree that technical diving requires 3 regulators, but if that's how you define it, then I'll buy that. Note that your first 2 cave classes don't even require doubles.

Atomic T1/T2 are ~$1400. Atomic B1 si ~$600. I didn't spend $600 for the PAIR of my tech regs. Now if you want two ATX200s or SPMk25/S600s, then things are going to get pricey in a hurry.

By the way, how do you like that Envoy? I debated a long time about getting that reg. Sometimes, I wonder if I should have. Maybe I'll get one for my singles setup.

 

[AquaHump]

My first experience in doubles was during my Decompression Procedures and Advanced Nitrox class.

My instructor would not pass me threw thos classes unless I had twins set up his way. I am very thankful for him. He is a great instructor and became a good friend.

 

[TheRedHead]

Well, I disagree that technical diving requires 3 regulators, but if that's how you define it, then I'll buy that. Note that your first 2 cave classes don't even require doubles.

Technical diving with doubles would require 3 regs: 2 for the doubles and 1 for the deco bottle. You can also do Adv. Nitrox/Deco Procedures on a single tank, but few people want to.

Atomic T1/T2 are ~$1400. Atomic B1 si ~$600. I didn't spend $600 for the PAIR of my tech regs. Now if you want two ATX200s or SPMk25/S600s, then things are going to get pricey in a hurry.

You should buy the best regs that you can afford. I have 1 ATX 200, and I'm thinking about another for the left post too.

By the way, how do you like that Envoy? I debated a long time about getting that reg. Sometimes, I wonder if I should have. Maybe I'll get one for my singles setup.

I used it exclusively for a year and liked it. It's a bit damp inverted and doesn't breathe as easily at depth as the Apeks, but a very nice regulator for the price. I had it 02 cleaned and use it for my deco reg.

 

[Puffer Fish]

Technical diving with doubles would require 3 regs: 2 for the doubles and 1 for the deco bottle. You can also do Adv. Nitrox/Deco Procedures on a single tank, but few people want to.



You should buy the best regs that you can afford. I have 1 ATX 200, and I'm thinking about another for the left post too.



I used it exclusively for a year and liked it. It's a bit damp inverted and doesn't breathe as easily at depth as the Apeks, but a very nice regulator for the price. I had it 02 cleaned and use it for my deco reg.

You are such a gear head, Red - now you just need a giant pile of tanks, and you will be set. (and a new computer, and some other stuff)

Tech diving almost always costs more, a lot more. But then you tend to dive more, and hopefully, you are doing something you love.

 

[TheRedHead]

Puff, where there are tanks, there are manifolds and bands!

I'm diving double AL80s right now, but I have not forgotten the FX-72s. That's my next planned purchase.

 

[CuriousRambler]

I have to admit that the price of a bp/w scares me away a bit. Compared to the jacket BC I'm looking at (Kind of debating between Oceanic Chute and Probe) a bp/w is a couple hundred dollars more expensive. They can probably be had considerably cheaper than I'm finding them, but websites carrying them are much harder to find than sites carrying rec BCs.

The other thing on my mind is that I don't know of anyone around here who dives a bp/w, so I have no way to try one out and see if I like it. That could be an expensive test run if I decide I hate them..

 

[TheRedHead]

Cheetah, you need a BP/W or something like a Transpac to dive doubles. You can find used plates pretty cheap on ebay. The basic harness is very inexpensive. The major expense will be the wing. If you can't afford one, you can be patient and pick up a plate and wing on ebay.

 

[CuriousRambler]

Duh! I can't believe I didn't even think of ebay for my BC, even though I'm constantly watching it for every other piece of gear imaginable. One of the things I couldn't help but notice is that everyone seems to be after Halcyon's 27# wing, but on Halcyon's site they don't exist. I know 27# almost certainly wouldn't be enough lift for me (diving a single tank), but the same goes for a 36# - I can't find those anywhere on their site either.

To go from singles to doubles, all you have to do is bolt on bands and get a wing that has enough lift though? I definitely like the modularity (There's a word for you..) of a bp/w over a jacket BC. Do you have any websites that have OMS or Halcyon (or any other company who makes bp/w's) gear for sale? I almost can't find prices, much less compare shops for a better price..