Integrated Octo or not?

[Downing]

It never fails to amuse me that someone thinks having one less hose is actually more convenient than a longer-than-necessary inflator hose and a much bulkier-than-necessary inflator mechanism.

No and yes.

No - My hose for my Atomic SS1 inflator/octo is the same length as my hose for my Zeagle inflator.

Yes - The SS1's bulk was a big reason why I decided to switch to the much smaller Zeagle inflator.

As far as which configuration is more convenient, I'd say it's a close call and depends on whether I'm above or below water. The combo 3-hose config was easier to pack and set up, but once on the dive the fourth hose and dedicated octo are zero hassle and I no longer have a clunky combo hanging off my left shoulder. Imho, the dedicated inflator configuration wins but not by much.

 

[Wolfie]

so tpsde, seems you whacked the hornets nest a few times and ran away.....
And no one is talking about the bp/w. I want one. love the concept design etc. Do not want to travel with one. if you only have one rig and plan on traveling go with something light and flexible. If you must have the backplate go with aluminum. I think you may want to get a inexpensive compact BCD that travels easy now and get a bp/w later that is appropriate for the type of diving you develop into. You really need to know your diving capabilities types and lift requirements for your rig and diving to make sure you buy the right wing/harness.

 

[Rascally Rabbit]

I've used integrated octo for years just like with other 2nd stages some are better than others.
As for inflator hose length that may or not be an issue. I use a standard length hose and don't see a need to swap for a longer one.
I'm also an Air Integrated wireless computer user so I'm down to a 2 low pressure hose configuration. I did decide on a 5' primary second stage hose since in an emergency it becomes a donor.
The failure point count is often miss-stated because for each hose you remove you also subtract a failure point for the hose itself and one of the 2 connection points of the hose (The other remains at the regulator port plugs o-ring)
A additional note Drysuit divers do not use their BCD to control buoyancy during a dive except at the surface or in an emergency so the mid dive inflator failure arguement against the integrated octo is highly unlikely for them. I do consider it highly unlike in most integrated octos altogether but should it happen it isn't unmanageable for a experience prepared diver.

 

[Slowpoke1]

I second Bubbletrouble...much more comfy and easier in an OOA situation where you must donate to another diver...I've done it in an actual OOA at 90' and the diver I helped was as grateful as I was that I had the 5 footer. Not having the backup double as your BC pwr inflator makes it easier to control ascent since your not taking breaths and having to remove it to vent air when needed to maintain the proper AR. Having that bit if extra space between yourself and the OOA diver makes things a bit nicer as well. Just my op.

 

[elan]

That's why I have a number of these integrated inflators on single wing and wings for doubles so I can swap systems and keep using same regs.

I did not understand your point , do you have the integrated second on the doubles as well ? If so you are feeding your backup and primary reg from the same right post ?

 

[Ripple in still water]

I've got both an integrated octo and a separate octo (got the former in conjunction with a great deal on the BCD), and for now I'm keeping both for a weight-belt and suspenders. So while not a partisan for either approach, I do want to point out that all the folks kvetching about having to breathe from the same thing they are dumping with must have very old school BCD's, because on mine I just use the pull cord on the shoulder to vent.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

so tpsde, seems you whacked the hornets nest a few times and ran away.....
And no one is talking about the bp/w. I want one. love the concept design etc. Do not want to travel with one. if you only have one rig and plan on traveling go with something light and flexible. If you must have the backplate go with aluminum. I think you may want to get a inexpensive compact BCD that travels easy now and get a bp/w later that is appropriate for the type of diving you develop into. You really need to know your diving capabilities types and lift requirements for your rig and diving to make sure you buy the right wing/harness.

Actually traveling with a steel plate is no biggie. Much easier in that it all breaks down - mine fits in a back pack along with all of my warm water gear including a 3 mil suit - you don't need as much weight in warm water, and a lot less bulky.

 

[halocline]

No and yes.

No - My hose for my Atomic SS1 inflator/octo is the same length as my hose for my Zeagle inflator.

As far as which configuration is more convenient, I'd say it's a close call and depends on whether I'm above or below water.

Just because your zeagle inflator hose is the same length as the one on your octo/inflator does not mean it's not longer than necessary. I use 12" inflator hoses; very streamlined and easy to vent with. Try an octo/inflator on a 12" hose.....

I prefer to evaluate dive gear based on how it performs while diving as opposed to how convenient it is on land. Diving is an underwater sport, after all.

 

[blatter]

I did not understand your point , do you have the integrated second on the doubles as well ? If so you are feeding your backup and primary reg from the same right post ?

Hi Elan - Yes, have integrated inflator on doubles wings (and CCR wing so I can access on board diluent). With my doubles set up I have one reg with a second stage with a long hose and SS dog clip on one post and reg with a second stage and "normal" hose with a necklace on the other. Except for the modularity issue I would probably not bother with integrated inflator on doubles as there is already a spare second stage, although I guess if you were paranoid you might worry about having to supply 2 out of air divers at the same time (unlikely). Sharing gas on a long deco / swim out of overhead / in current (the dives you might be more likely to do with doubles) is significantly easier when donating a reg with a long hose, but my point was that I have found integrated octos a good alternative to a conventional octopus in some situations - especially no deco single tank diving. Just something that works for me. Another personal quirk is that I really like independent doubles ie without a manifold - for a number of reasons, but particularly because I do a lot of solo diving and diving in places were manifolds are hard to come by.

Regards

 

[Rascally Rabbit]

I second Bubbletrouble...much more comfy and easier in an OOA situation where you must donate to another diver...I've done it in an actual OOA at 90' and the diver I helped was as grateful as I was that I had the 5 footer. Not having the backup double as your BC pwr inflator makes it easier to control ascent since your not taking breaths and having to remove it to vent air when needed to maintain the proper AR. Having that bit if extra space between yourself and the OOA diver makes things a bit nicer as well. Just my op.

While I agree with the 5 footer being a nice accessory to make an OOA situation a little less stressful the integrated octo does not make the OOA situation any more stressful as long as you are practiced in using it.

Also you are wrong in your statement in needing to remove the octo from your mouth to vent the BCD. Of the 2 different model Integrated octos I use neither need be removed and I still have at least two venting options.

First option - Stay horizontal or head down and use the BCD's lower overpressure vent. This is very easy to do with a 5 foot primary. This option takes no special skills beyond normal buoyancy control and should be easily accomplished by any skilled diver even with a standard length primary second stage hose.

Second option - is to partially push the deflate button while slowly exhaling this will vent the BCD but you may need to clear the octo when you release the button. All of the Integrated Octos I have tried this with worked but it should be practice for timing the breathing with buoyancy control.

Third option - as others have mentioned use the shoulder pull dump valve. This too may take a little practice to keep the octo in your mouth while venting but shouldn't be considered a difficult skill to master.