I pretty much agree with everything he said.
They are nothing but a marketing scheme, and a bad idea.
They are nothing but a marketing scheme, and a bad idea.
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Which is one of the reasons for which I recommend two fully independent and identical regs on two separate valves, both equally suitable to be donated.According to the arguments, they will do whichever one your gear configuration doesn't support.
I firmly believe that integrated power inflators are nasty. I would think twice about diving with anyone who showed up with one.
I dived with an Air 2 from 2002-2017. Always worked just fine, never had to share air, was ready to primary donate. Switched configuration in 2017 for a variety of reasons, none of them directly related to the Air 2.Point one - the original device was developed to allow for a second regulator, not to eliminate one. He is off by a long time as to when these came out and why... Yes, others have copied...
Point two - tune the regulator... I've had many second stages breathe like crap out of the box.
Point three - ScubaPro (original manufacturer) has an additional pull to dump on their BC. It is part of a system, so there is no issue dumping air while using.
Point 4 - they aren't for technical diving.
I'm unimpressed with this wind bag....
From what you said using using other thread, it sounds like you are diving in specific conditions where you can't, or at least would prefer not to, go to the surface in the case of a reg failure. While I understand your preference in that context, I don't think that circumstance applies to most divers and therefore the solution you prefer isn't really applicable for most people.Which is one of the reasons for which I recommend two fully independent and identical regs on two separate valves, both equally suitable to be donated.
The panicked OOA diver can grab the one he prefers...
Then, if one swaps the BCD inflator with an Air-2, that is just nice! But the two identical standard regs should always be available.
Yes, there are benign conditions where I also safely used a tank with a single first stage and an octopus. During holidays in tropical locations, where you rent equipment, and that is what they provide. In such cases it is guided dives, shallow depth, no risk of going into deco obligation, calm clear water, proper surface support, etc..From
From what you said using using other thread, it sounds like you are diving in specific conditions where you can't, or at least would prefer not to, go to the surface in the case of a reg failure. While I understand your preference in that context, I don't think that circumstance applies to most divers and therefore the solution you prefer isn't really applicable for most people.