Just got 2 "New" Double-Hose Regs!!

[Mark Vlahos]

Sigh.

I may yet get to find out what instabuddies are all about . . .

OK, that one almost got me to spit my soda out my nose!

Too funny.

 

[Adobo]

I mean, if they're all that, how come you never see them?

The bubble thing is valid, I guess. I don't know - bubbles don't bother me too much maybe because they've always been there.

Do these things even come in DIN?

---
Ken

In my humble, the bubble thing is not universally valid. Some of the best underwater photogs in my area seem to do just fine with the single hose stuff.

With that said, I am super curious to dive a double hose reg. If only there were a DIR way to do it.

 

[justleesa]

In my humble, the bubble thing is not universally valid. Some of the best underwater photogs in my area seem to do just fine with the single hose stuff.

Imagine your model had bubbles behind and not in front?

 

[do it easy]

c. It will REALLY P*ssoff someone I know!

I was wondering when that would come up. I guess the new signal for OOA will be arms crossed and a glaring stare!

I don't know a lot about vintage regs, but I thought there were some difference between the vintage regs and the Mistral- something about where the demand valve or exhaust valve was located that is different from the "old school" vintage. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Nemrod]

I have used the "new" Mistrals and don't especially care for them and here is why:

Preface, I leanred on a double hose in 1966 and have used them extensively and am fully familiar with what is correct and what is not in terms of how they operate and dive.

OK:
1) the hoses are to "floaty" and whack my head--need to add hose weights
2) It breaths stiffly
3) It is UGLY and oddly built
4)The mouthpiece is not comfortable to me
5) It does not breath as smoothly as a Royal Aqua Master nor does it seem to deliever as much air.

Many preople in this thread simply do not understand why some of us still use/discover/re-discover the double hose and as well the ones we dive for general use are highly modified often as not. I hear the "SeaHunt" thing and the "Loyd Bridges" thing and nostalgia and this and that.

Here are the facts:

1) a well tuned Royal Aqua Master can outperform modern plastic regulators
2) they are more simple and durable and reliable
3) they don't freeze up
4) they are quiter and smoother
5) there are no bubbles in your face
6) they are more comfortable and don't cause jaw fatigue--and I could go on and on.

In the end it is like many things, an opinion and preference. I have an Aqua Lung Legend and several other new regulators and have used brand new Apeks, I will stick with my Royal Aqua Master(s) thank you. I trust it and TRUST is the ultimate reason.

As to "this century" then note in this picture that there really is nothing here that is especially different from what many of you dive. NO--I am not DIR--but the rig you see here is a continuing evolution and one might note that it is definitly Hog-esque.

Rather than a new Mistral you proably would have been happier in the end with the Phoenix conversion to an Aqua Master but each to their own. I hope that you really enjoy your new regulators and have a ton of fun with them---how is the boat shopping coming along Peter?

Phoenix nozzle assembly:

A for real single stage Mistral owned and used by myself since around 1968, a gift.

N

 

[cagemaker]

Is it still possible to purchase a Phoneix nozzle?
Who is "VDH"?

Thanks,

Cagemaker

 

[captain]

Is it still possible to purchase a Phoneix nozzle?
Who is "VDH"?

Thanks,

Cagemaker

VDH is vintagedoublehose.com. That is the place to buy the Phoenix conversion.

 

[ba_hiker]

I, long ago, dove with a double hose reg. They were a bit out of date then, but still in uses by some people. They were a bit different to dive, the hoses can/will fill with water if you drop the mouth piece under water. This requires a special proceedure to clear - before they will breath again.

Don't know if the new ones have the same problem. but I would check before using one an a challanging dive.

 

[divinginn]

peter,let us know when she cant stand it anymore and trys thedoublehose,pics would be great.

 

[TSandM]

Oh, I tried the Mistral out in the pool a long time ago, and I didn't like it at all. I didn't like the huge change in work of breathing with position. I didn't like the floaty hoses (although this is amenable to a very simple fix). The mouthpiece I thought was fine, although I absolutely and utterly LOATHE the one on the DA.

I'm actually extremely happy with the gear I have, but then again, I've never known anything but bubbles . . .