Integrated octo/LPH

[JodiBB]

I'm getting closer to figuring out what equipment I want to purchase with all of your help!

I've seen different opinions on the integrated octo/LPH on the BC...I can see the benefit of streamlining, but what could be some drawbacks (in addition to the extra cost for this feature) and other benefits that I'm missing?

 

[do it easy]

I don't like them because the primary is on a short hose, and the inflator hose is even shorter. It makes for tight quarters when sharing air.

Regardless of what you get, I would suggest practicing sharing air and ascending so that it is comfortable and relaxed.

 

[PerroneFord]

Drawbacks?

Think about an OOA emergency. The device you will have to use to control your buoyancy, is also the device you are trying to breathe from. Imagine yourself, in close quarters, with a diver who is out of air, and you've got to manage him or her, your buoyancy, and breathe off that little thing. All in the name of saving a hose? And it costs more??? And it doesn't breathe as well (usually) as a normal, cheaper regulator?

 

[PaulChristenson]

Drawbacks?

Think about an OOA emergency. The device you will have to use to control your buoyancy, is also the device you are trying to breathe from. Imagine yourself, in close quarters, with a diver who is out of air, and you've got to manage him or her, your buoyancy, and breathe off that little thing. All in the name of saving a hose? And it costs more??? And it doesn't breathe as well (usually) as a normal, cheaper regulator?

Yeah...what he said...

 

[CompuDude]

Ditto what Mr. Ford said. It comes down to eliminating issues during emergency planning. KISS.

 

[fullbore]

I'm in the same boat (building up gear and researching opinions here before purchasing)
I liked the idea of ditching a hose and was looking at one of the combo alt air sources but I thought it best to have the same quality occy as my main reg (as I'd be the one using it) so I went that way.

 

[Packhorse]

I use a inflater octi combo and dont see a problem with it. peole are always saying you will have a problem dumping air while breating off your octi, but with practice this isnt a problem. after all most BCs have at least 3 dump valves and you can still use the dump on your inflater/ octi while beathing off it (or at least while it is in your mouth). For the diving I do this set up suits me well and I wouldnt go back to using a seperate octi. I have a SS1 and it breathes very well. I enjoy having one less hose. I also always know where my inflater/octi is. Sure you could bungie your octi around you neck but to me it just seems more of a hassle. (waits to get flammed by DIR's)
The main thing is what ever set up you choose practice with it.

 

[victor]

I have an Air 2 integrated (10 years) and love it. I always use it on every dive for a few minutes, and it breathes fine. I have never had to cope with an emergency OOA situation but I have had no problems doing the drills in practise. The only changes I plan are, slightly longer hose with a swivel on my primary, and a switch to a wrist computer with wireless air.

 

[Peter Guy]

I have an AirSource on my BC and doing an airshare with the short hosed primary is difficult - BUT, it has an easy solution -- get a longer hose! (I really don't understand the people who criticize this part but don't think of the obvious solution!) BTW, I would get a longer hose than the regular Octo hose -- get at least a 40inch one, if not longer (but no need to go all the way to 5ft and around the neck like I have).

My real objection to the AirSource is that it is not a very good regulator -- hard to breathe, not comfortable to use. (Yes, you don't use it often, but why make it hard on yourself?)

I don't know about the Air2, but the AirSource has a proprietary LP hose. This could be a potential issue if you were travelling with just your Reg and had to rent a BC since it wouldn't fit your inflator AND you'd have to get a 2ndary reg. Also, if you go Nitrox, it won't fit most (any?) gas analyzers.

BTW, while I do have the AirSource my backup is bungied around my neck. Someday soon I'll switch out my AirSource for a "traditional" inflater/hose but I'll keep the AirSource in case I go into a DM course (so as not to get too hassled for having a long hose primary/bungied 2ndary).

Anyway, my experience is that as long as you get a longer hose for your primary, it is an acceptable alternative and does have a cleaner look.

 

[Footslogger]

I don't think of it as a "drawback" per se ...but one thing to consider if you go with the low pressure inflator mounted second stage is that IT becomes your primary reg in an out of air or emergency situation involving your buddy and your normal primary reg is the donor one.

I dove with a separate octo since being certified back in the early 70's. This past year my wife and I convered to the Seaquest AirSource. Since we always dive together the whole buddy breathing aspect is mute for us and we REALLY like NOT having that extra hose on the right side of our first stages.

You'll get a lot of opinions on both sides of the argument but if I was buying gear all over again I'd go with the lp inflator integrated second stage. You can always buy an octo reg and attach it to the first stage and a standard inflator valve for your BCD if you end up not liking the set up. It's not a "life sentence".

'Slogger