Miflex hose questions

[DoctorBob]

Hi everybody. I have a quick gear question. I have recently discovered this forum and have enjoyed learning a lot of new stuff. I am intrigued by the Hogarth type of set up, but I am mostly a warm water vacation diver so I don't really think I want to go the whole 7' hose route. At least not just yet. But I am thinking about some modifications to my current setup. I just got a new Zeagle BC with a power inflator/Octo (OctoZ). I was thinking about getting a longer Miflex primary hose, but I don't think I want to go the whole 7' or 5' and wrap around your neck route. I am thinking about going under my right arm with the primary hose and getting a swivel for the 2nd stage. So, my main question is How long of a hose should I get? 40", 44", or 48"? I think by using the OctoZ I would like to have a longer primary hose to be able to donate it more comfortably.
So, does anybody else do this? what kind of hose length do you use? it is kind of like the Sherwood Maximus setup.
Thanks,
Bob

 

[shoturtle]

I use a regular set up. But since you are using miflex hoses for this, you should know that since they are not ridge under pressure, you can go with a bit shorter hose then if you were using rubber hose. The miflex tends to stay very close to the body unlike rubber hoses.

 

[stargost]

To be 100% sure about the best length, get your rig ready, and take a small rope to simulate the best hose length. Talk to a few people to see what they have if they use the same setup, and look how the hose 'behave'...
Don't forget the "T" (90degre adaptor) at your second stage, and if maybe 44" is best, you'd need to account for long enough to share air.

 

[Doubler]

I swapped out my Atomic swivel for a 48 inch Miflex. Works great and no need for a swivel. I found that swivels work great with no pressure and a lot harder pressurized. I'd just go with the hose and if you really felt the need add the swivel later. I route mine under my arm.

 

[Bogie]

I have a Zeagle Ranger with OctoZ and recently purchased a 40" miflex for the main regulator. I route it easily under my right arm and works fine. I think either 40" or 44" would be long enough. The ease and flexibility of the Miflex is great and I will be converting more of my hoses.

 

[Belmont]

If you are thinking of using a longer hose you might think of trying a 60 inch hose.
It goes under your arm like what you are looking for. It does not wrap around your neck but goes behind it and lines up perfectly with your mouth from the right side.

You would gain all the comfort of the lenght with no risk of feeling any pull on your reg plus all the freedom of movement when sharing air.

My son started using that type of hose from his sixth dive.

 

[Schizlor]

Hey Doc,

I got the 48" Miflex on a swivel and I actually find it a bit too long. I am intending on getting the 44" to replace it. The loop the 48" hose makes is so low when routed under my arm that it would almost slip under my arm if I bent it at the elbow, and it does just that when I am manupulating things like my light or camera. Especially when I reach my right arm across my chest to clip or unclip my light from the left chest D-ring. And Im pretty tall (6'1") too, so I'd reccomend the 44" hose if youre about my height, and if you're under 5'10" and/or have short arms I'd maybe go with the 40".

This is using a swivel and routing under the arm. If you route under the arm but do not use a swivel you may want the extra bit of hose, but I wouldn't think that setup would be ideal. All in all the Miflex hoses are so flexible that air sharing would not be hindered that much by cutting the length down to 44 from 48 inches. Adding the swivel also makes the air share a lot easier. (grabbing the primary from your mouth, turning it 180 degrees and extending it out in front of you becomes phenomenally easy with a Miflex hose and your 2nd on a swivel)

Not knowing anything else about you or your rig, my short answer would be get the 44

 

[BKP]

I agree with Schizlor...

I'm 5'9" and also swapped out my Atomic swivel for a 36" Miflex (also have a 22" Miflex on my inflator, and another 36" on my octo). If you're not going the long hose route, then do what's comfortable.

In a number of years of diving, I've shared out my primary once, and that was pre-Miflex with a 30" standard hose, with no problem. The 36" is more than enough for me.

So, do what's most comfortable... 'cause that's what you'll be doing 99.999% of the time...

 

[BuoyantC]

I use a standard octo setup, but switched my primary to a 26" Miflex thinking it would be a little more streamlined. The shorter length is comfortable and doesn't bow out around as far as a rubber 30", but sometimes will drag on the corner of my 30# wing when I turn my head left.

I would like to try the longer hose with a different routing sometime, but the 7ft. wrap around your head setup for warm water recreational diving is ridiculous.

 

[crowleyW]

the 7ft. wrap around your head setup for warm water recreational diving is ridiculous.