Integrated valve/first stage for argon?

[Jimmer]

Does anyone use an integrated valve/first stage, such as the Zeagle Razor or H2Odyssey system on their argon bottle? I have a 6cf bottle, and need to buy both a valve and reg for it, and my LDS suggested the Zeagle system as an option for about the same price as the valve/reg combo.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Reg Braithwaite]

I am not speaking from experience, so please take the usual internet skepticism and double it.

I am looking into He training, which means separate inflation for my dry suit. I discarded the idea of a special-purpose unit immediately, reasoning that the more "standard" the components are, the easier to get them repaired or swapped out with stuff I already own.

JM(.2)C, I haven't actually bought anything yet.

 

[Blackwood]

In my experience, combo units often involve a number of concessions over a set of discreet components.

I haven't used or even seen the Zeagle Razor or H2Odyssey, so I won't speak to them specifically.

If it's the same price as a standard valve and first stage, what's the point?

 

[Jimmer]

In my experience, combo units often involve a number of concessions over a set of discreet components.

I haven't used or even seen the Zeagle Razor or H2Odyssey, so I won't speak to them specifically.

If it's the same price as a standard valve and first stage, what's the point?

Well the main reason I'm considering it, is how compact it would be. It seems that it would really tucked away, even more so than a conventional argon reg.

 

[Blackwood]

The argon bottle is usually mounted upside down and out of the way.

Of course, you'd need one for each bottle (like for example if you were bringing tanks on a weeklong liveaboard in cold water without an argon fill station). I'm not sure that's likely.

Hey, if it works and is as reliable as a coventional system, I won't fault it.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I have the OMS system on mine and like it alot. Compact relatively simple, and reliable. Also have no issues getting mine serviced.

 

[texdiveguy]

I use for my ds inflation system a basic no frills 13cf bottle, DIN K-valve, Salvo argon mini first stage and a ds lp hose. It is labeled ARGON, but 98% of the time I use AIRGON .

 

[rjack321]

The combo units seem to work fine UW, they are stupid simple piston regs inside. The "compactness" is a bit of a ruse tho... once you start adding deco bottles, video, scooters and all the other stuff you take on tech dives a little valve knob is trival.

The big minus is that you will lose or forget the fill adapater at some point. The local or remote shop you're trying to refill at won't have one. And your buddies transfill won't fit either. Also once you have a bunch of argon bottles (I have 2x AL6s and 2x AL13s) they don't seem so attractive anymore.

Personally I have never felt a need for a special valve-reg thing and use standard 200bar DIN valves for as much as I can.

 

[texdiveguy]

Also once you have a bunch of argon bottles (I have 2x AL6s and 2x AL13s) they don't seem so attractive anymore.

What is your reasoning for so many 'argon' cylinders....are you engaging in extended at sea runs were argon or airgon is not available....are you flushing with small cylinders...?

 

[gkndivebum]

I use the H2Odyssey system on my 6CF bottle here. (actually, there are two in my family - one for me, one
for my spouse)

In any case, they work well enough, but a minor nit is that there is a #004 o-ring in the fill port on the regulator which has a disturbing tendency to leak. This can be exciting if the pressure builds up behind the little plastic cap that goes over the filler port. It sounds like a .22.

And yes, I dive dry in Hawaii. All winter.