CincyDave:
Ok here it goes.
After much research and discussion I have narrowed the field.
I plan on purchasing a Zeagle Bregade, Atomic B2, Aries AI comp, and ...... what octo?
My LDS sells Zeagle, Atomic and Aries (Although I'm not buying through them) so service can be done locally. Just lest hassle than shipping.
I want to know with the above mentioned what octo should I get? I have entertained the Atomic SS1 but do I want integrated? Most of you seasoned pro say nah some say yes. More importantly wont that be in my way when using the inflator hose? So, again which octo would provide me the best performance, ease of use/service, out of the way, etc....?
Anyone have the velcro weight release on their Zeagle? Like it? Rip cord? HMMMMM.
Who uses what to keep a standard Octo out of the way? I Dont like the necklace idea.
Lastly, Cobra or Aires computer? Does it matter. One thing I do know is I dont want a Smart Com (Heard service sucks from 2 independant LDS owners who sell them).
Thanks all and I appriciate anything you have to say good or bad!
Hi,
While I do dive the long hose and necklaced backup my reccomendation here is NOT intended to force you into using my current configuration, so please take my advice in that light. If I am diving with my BP/W, long hose rig and you are using your Zeagle Brigade, standard recreational rig I will still dive with you and we could have a safe and enjoyable dive.
I encourage you to purchase an octopus regulator that is exactly the same type as you have as your primary second stage. If you need to deploy it during an emergency you or your buddy will want a top quality well maintained regulator that you are familiar with to breathe off of during a stressful situation. When I dove a standard recreational style rig I used a large spherical bulb to secure the mouthpiece of the octo. I used a Zeagle Ranger Ltd. BC and placed this bulb on my right side shoulder strap on the D ring just above the buckle, the hose was routed under my right arm. This worked well and was out of the way and secure. I like the "ComfoBite" mouth piece and the spherical bulb did a good job of holding the octo in place.
As far as the ripcord style weight dump, I feel that it is vastly superior to the velcro based systems. Pulling the ripcord is simple, and once pulled the weight drops out of the bottom of the pockets and away. To dump the ripcord system you need to pull on the handle about a foot before the pockets dump. The handle is secured by a velcro wrap, but since the handle is not under any strain the velcro is not likely to fail, but even if it does you still need to pull the handle to dump weight, the handle will not "fall out" as a weight pocket would if its velcro failed.
You mention that you don't like the idea of a necklaced second stage, this is OK. I only mention this because quite possibly you do not fully understand what is involved. A necklaced second stage is only one part of a larger configuration. If you were to only use a necklaced second stage with a standard length hose on your first stage you would be asking for trouble. A necklaced second stage is used in conjunction with a long (5 to 7 foot) hose on your primary first stage, and this is the regulator you donate to a buddy if they need it. If you have donated your primary first stage (long hose) then you breathe off of the necklaced backup, it is on a much shorter hose and is intended for your use only. This type of system is sometimes referred to as "Hogarthian", named after William Hogarth Main. The hogarthian configuration also concerns itself with other equipment configuration issues beyond regulator hose length, but it is probably one of the most visible issues surrounding this configuration. There is a section here on ScubaBoard that is for divers that use this configuration. Global Underwater Explorers has adopted a particular subset of this general hardware configuration as an approved and standardized configuration for its "DIR" ideology, there is also an area on this board for information about their way of doing things.
In general I would say wait on the equipment purchases for now and rent for 25 to 50, or more if possible, dives before you purchase lots of gear, you will find that you will develop your own opinions by using different types of gear. Try to rent from different shops, therefore getting different brands to try. If you have a shop in your area that specializes in "Tech" gear they might even have backplates and long hose regulator systems available for rent so you can consider this configuration, by the way this configuration works just fine for recreational diving. Think of it not as "renting" gear but rather as "demoing" gear. Time will teach you more about what you like than what I might post here on this board ever will.
Best of luck, and happy and safe diving.
Mark Vlahos