Double hose manufacturers

[PfcAJ]

Imo a DH breaths more like a snorkel, and inhalation resistance is very dependent on the reg position and your body position.

I think they're super cool and fun to dive and tinker with. I don't really notice the hoses, and the inhalation differences (which can be good bad or neutral compared to a "normal" reg) are just part of the experience and aren't a huge deal.

 

[sealark]

Sorry I started this. The old style was perfect for me for 15 years of use. They have made many improvements in them since my days with the DA. If you like trying different things go for it, you wont have any problems with them. And the same safety principles are built into the double hoses as well, The downstream build. Not much has changed since Cousteau Gagnan invented them. But many improvements in quality parts.

 

[halocline]

And if you go totally head down (e.g. you're looking under a reef ledge that is just barely above the bottom and you are trying to take a picture of something under there)? Inhalation effort gets noticeably more difficult?

Yes, double hose regs are definitely position-sensitive. Its difficult to quantify (you said something about "twice" as difficult) but there's no question that its very different than a single hose reg that depressurizes air an inch from your mouth.

However, cracking effort is by no means the whole story when it comes to how enjoyable a regulator is to dive. The weightless mouthpiece, warmth and moisture of the air, and lack of bubbles are all very positive experiences. You really need to try one, and IMO it can take several dives to adjust. You have to get your BC set up right and you learn to adjust your body position to take full advantage of the regulator.

 

[stuartv]

Yes, double hose regs are definitely position-sensitive. Its difficult to quantify (you said something about "twice" as difficult) but there's no question that its very different than a single hose reg that depressurizes air an inch from your mouth.

However, cracking effort is by no means the whole story when it comes to how enjoyable a regulator is to dive. The weightless mouthpiece, warmth and moisture of the air, and lack of bubbles are all very positive experiences. You really need to try one, and IMO it can take several dives to adjust. You have to get your BC set up right and you learn to adjust your body position to take full advantage of the regulator.

I'm definitely curious enough now to want to try one. A VDH Universal bp happens to already be on my Christmas list.

How is the air warm and moist compared to a SH setup? I could see maybe the air warming up some as it travels through the hose from the reg to the mouthpiece - especially in warmer water. But, where would moisture come from?

 

[Jared0425]

How does it do for deep(er) diving? Does it come in DIN and withstand 3500 tanks with overfill?

 

[stuartv]

Store - Vintage Double Hose

It says you can order it in a 300 bar DIN config.

 

[stuartv]

The VDH page for the AK (which I just linked above) has an option to order an "Argonaut Safe Second Stage".

When I see "safe second", I think of those combo 2nd stage+BCD inflator things.

In this case, I think it just means the SH 2nd stage that is shown in some of the pictures. Correct?

 

[stuartv]

Also, after looking at the pictures of correct reg positioning for using a DH reg, I am left wondering, if your tank is positioned "correctly", do you have any chance of being able to reach your tank valve if you need to? Say, if you really screw up and jump in with it turned off?

Also, with the tank that low on your back, wouldn't a long tank, like an HP120 go from long to REALLY long? I use single 120s and with it positioned as shown in those pictures, I think the bottom would be halfway down my thighs. And I'm 6' 1".

 

[sealark]

Quit worrying and go get one the Moist air comes from the reduction in pressure that occurs in all regulators. Look at the principal of the Priority valve on compressors that reduce the moisture by increasing the pressure before moving the air through a filter. Warm air???

 

[Nemrod]

There is an adiabatic temperature change as the IP is dropped to ambient that cools the air in all regs. Double hose regs the air has plenty of opportunity as it travels the large hoses to reach ambient, become warmer. BTW the Argonaut breaths dry.

As to reaching the valve, reach behind and lift the cylinder. If one is so determined to jump in with their air off and so over weighted they plummet to the bottom, well, that is what the Darwin Award is for. You are supposed to buddy check air on and then do an spg check.

Again, if one is not willing to learn a new normal best stay with the familiar.

N