Integrated Backup: Scubapro AIR 2 or Atomic SS1?

[teck.boon]

hello.... newbie diver and newbie question here.

having gotten into diving recently, my girlfriend and i have decided to invest in our own BCD and regs. would like to ask you guys for your comments but we're probably going to get the following:

for her:
Scubapro MK25 + S600 (cos she can have it in pink)

for me:
Apeks FST + XTX 100 (sale at USD$510) where i'm at.

but what we have problem deciding on is the backup. we both are looking at an integrated system. its either the AIR 2 or the SS1. would really love to hear your opinions on the performance or reviews on the 2. does the difference in size really matter? did a quick search and didnt come up with anything. if this has been discussed before, could someone point me in the right direction?

thanks!

 

[sander8]

I'd go with the SS1 and substitute an Atomic Z2 setup for the Apeks stuff. Better regulators, easier breathing, longer service intervals. Just my opinion.

 

[teck.boon]

I'd go with the SS1 and substitute an Atomic Z2 setup for the Apeks stuff. Better regulators, easier breathing, longer service intervals. Just my opinion.

you are using a SS1? did you consider the AIR 2 before that? what made you decide on the SS1 instead? is it the size, the cost or the performance?

i think i'll still stick the the Apeks reg. service interval is also 2 years, confirmed by the local dealer. and it seems just as good as the Z2 based on the reviews i've read. and it looks better! haha! but thats personal.

 

[rstofer]

I love Singapore! I lived there briefly in '87..'89 and learned to dive at Pulau Hantu compliments of Dive Asia in the basement of Lucky Plaza (at the time).

OK, I had an Air 2 device (obviously an older version) on a SeaQuest ADVi BC that I bought from Dive Asia. I used it in Singapore, Malaysia (I really like Pulau Dayang), on a liveaboard off of Phuket and over in the Maldives. I have used it down to 113' and it worked fine. I still have it on the original BC. I have moved to a BP/W so it sits in my old dive bag. Kind of a memento.

Basically, in warm water, the device makes a certain amount of sense. In cold water where buoyancy control during rescue can get complicated, I am not certain they make any sense at all. If you donate your primary to the victim (I don't know what situation would result in this technique) and had to control your buoyancy with the Air 2 in your mouth and the victim's buoyancy with something else, I think the task loading gets too high. Just my opinion.

The current thinking on regulators is a long hose on the primary (maybe 5') and a conventional octo on a necklace. I think this is a better scheme. It gets the victim away from you. In fact, if you go to a 7' hose, you can dive in tandem while trying to exit an enclosed space.

Richard

 

[tfsails]

Air 2 v. SS1: Six of one and half-dozen of the other. Both will do you well.

Just remember you cannot buy a bad name-brand regulator these days. They're all good. Some are just gooder'n others.

 

[teck.boon]

Air 2 v. SS1: Six of one and half-dozen of the other. Both will do you well.

Just remember you cannot buy a bad name-brand regulator these days. They're all good. Some are just gooder'n others.

ok. then i guess i'll decide which one's in my budget and which one looks better! haha! thanks again.

 

[teck.boon]

I love Singapore! I lived there briefly in '87..'89 and learned to dive at Pulau Hantu compliments of Dive Asia in the basement of Lucky Plaza (at the time).

OK, I had an Air 2 device (obviously an older version) on a SeaQuest ADVi BC that I bought from Dive Asia. I used it in Singapore, Malaysia (I really like Pulau Dayang), on a liveaboard off of Phuket and over in the Maldives. I have used it down to 113' and it worked fine. I still have it on the original BC. I have moved to a BP/W so it sits in my old dive bag. Kind of a memento.

Basically, in warm water, the device makes a certain amount of sense. In cold water where buoyancy control during rescue can get complicated, I am not certain they make any sense at all. If you donate your primary to the victim (I don't know what situation would result in this technique) and had to control your buoyancy with the Air 2 in your mouth and the victim's buoyancy with something else, I think the task loading gets too high. Just my opinion.

The current thinking on regulators is a long hose on the primary (maybe 5') and a conventional octo on a necklace. I think this is a better scheme. It gets the victim away from you. In fact, if you go to a 7' hose, you can dive in tandem while trying to exit an enclosed space.

Richard

i'll be sticking to the warmer waters of the area for a while. there's so many dive sites here already! i think i'll stick to the integrated system for the time being.

hope to see you soon back here in the waters of south east asia!

 

[fnfalman]

I chose the SS1 over other inline octos. Why? I prefer Atomic products. It's very subjective.

 

[halocline]

I would steer you away from the idea of the octo/inflator combo, but if you're convinced that it's what you want, either one of the two you mentioned is fine. Get whichever one will be easier for you to service. If you're already servicing scubapro regs, that might mean the Air 2.

There are a million threads about the pros and cons of octo/inflators. You might check some of them out. At the very least, consider putting your primary 2nd stage on a longer hose, like either 40" with an elbow or swivel so it routs under your arm, or 5ft and it routs under your arm, over your left shoulder, and around behind your head. The idea is that when you donate the primary 2nd stage, you want some length of hose so you're not dealing with an emergency cheek to cheek.

 

[DIVERHERB]

I have owned both and like the atomic hands down. It breaths better at depth and it dumps air like no other I have used.