Question Mix and Match Brands for BC air source?

[rhwestfall]

Mixing brands or even other 1/2 stage combinations from the same brand might make ease of breathing harder with unoptimised flow levels of air.

ummmm, nope.....

 

[Belzelbub]

I mixed a Aeris Oceans 5 BC with a ScubaPro Air2 so I could lose the traditional octopus. After an incident where our SiL had a moment of panic and realizing how short both the Air2 and primary regulator hoses were, I went back to a traditional octopus.

Or, you could increase the length of the primary regulator hose. That one is really no different than any primary donate setup. Regardless if you have an regular octo or not.

Same with the Air 2. My BC came with a fairly long corrugated hose, so it works fine for me. Buoyancy controls are a bit more difficult if breathing off of it, but not impossible.

It's absolutely not for all types of diving, but many divers can and do make it work without issue.

 

[James79]

As others mentioned, from a function standpoint all that matters is that the regs are tuned together. If you want to do the octo inflator thing, I just have two recommendations... 1st is rent one for a dive (even pool dive) and practice donating and managing your BC with the octo inflator in your mouth. If you still want it, I'd recommend putting your primary on a 40-48 inch hose run under your arm with an elbow fitting at the mouthpiece... That way the receiver of air sharing isn't stuck all up in your face.
I tried it and didn't like the octo inflators, but others do... Rent and try before spending real money is my main advice.
Respectfully,

James

 

[Crawlin95]

Or, you could increase the length of the primary regulator hose. That one is really no different than any primary donate setup. Regardless if you have an regular octo or not.

Same with the Air 2. My BC came with a fairly long corrugated hose, so it works fine for me. Buoyancy controls are a bit more difficult if breathing off of it, but not impossible.

It's absolutely not for all types of diving, but many divers can and do make it work without issue.

This is my approach. I will be going with a 40" primary hose.

 

[rhwestfall]

Okay, we are going there....

The thing you need to figure out is how you address the ability of dumping air from your buoyancy device if you are using the the device as an air source. While the SP BC system has a pull cord dump valve independent of the LPI assembly, I am not aware of any other manufacturers doing this (hip dump excluded). It is the big difference in how to manage these... Just putting one on a BC really can pose some challenges to how to efficiently operate them. Figure out what you are actually going to do...

With that sorted out, enjoy....

YMMV

 

[Crawlin95]

Okay, we are going there....

The thing you need to figure out is how you address the ability of dumping air from your buoyancy device if you are using the the device as an air source. While the SP BC system has a pull cord dump valve independent of the LPI assembly, I am not aware of any other manufacturers doing this (hip dump excluded). It is the big difference in how to manage these... Just putting one on a BC really can pose some challenges to how to efficiently operate them. Figure out what you are actually going to do...

With that sorted out, enjoy....

YMMV

Frankly, others are "taking it there". I simply asked are there any issues mixing the two. Thanks to everyone for the replies.

I didn't ask "what do people think" for a reason as there is no point to rehash all of that after all the threads I've searched and read here on the pros and cons, talked to my dive shop regarding pros and cons, and read other boards for the same.

I will also be asking my local dive shop for their thoughts as well on mixing but wanted an opinion from the group before.

 

[Pearlman]

The second only knows the pressure not the brand of first, you tune the second to what ever IP you have or the tune the first to the IP you want.

I don’t think I said anything really different. What I intended to say is that brands sell sets of 1st and 2nd where the 2nd is optimised to the IP of the 1st out of the box. Here the OP just wants to know if one can plug-in a 2nd to another brands 1st just like that - untested and not inspected by a technician before first use.

 

[Crawlin95]

I don’t think I said anything really different. What I intended to say is that brands sell sets of 1st and 2nd where the 2nd is optimised to the IP of the 1st out of the box. Here the OP just wants to know if one can plug-in a 2nd to another brands 1st just like that - untested and not inspected by a technician before first use.

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I wasn't asking for plug and play, just asking if there are any known drawbacks from combining these two even with service when purchased from my dive shop.

 

[Pearlman]

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I wasn't asking for plug and play, just asking if there are any known drawbacks from combining these two even with service when purchased from my dive shop.

From what I’ve read ( here mostly and elsewhere ) - some regs need specialised tools are more complicated to disassemble (Apeks for ex?) and the service technician at a remote vacation dive destination may not be equipped with the right set of tools to deal with any faults if the situation arises. Or he may be authorised or trained only for one brand if warranty is an issue.

But all this is only my theoretical knowledge.. I am just chatting away late into the night.
Hope others can help better

Cheers

 

[mcohen1021]

Or, you could increase the length of the primary regulator hose. That one is really no different than any primary donate setup. Regardless if you have an regular octo or not.

Same with the Air 2. My BC came with a fairly long corrugated hose, so it works fine for me. Buoyancy controls are a bit more difficult if breathing off of it, but not impossible.

It's absolutely not for all types of diving, but many divers can and do make it work without issue.

I agree in part.

I was trained to give my octopus, the backup air source. With an Air2, you give up your primary to the panicked diver and take the air2 for yourself. In a real life situation as in my case, I did the fastest thing possible to calm him down, which was hand him the shorter air2. we were so close together i could hardly communicate.

So yes, if you still wish to kill the traditional octopus (which I obviously do not) make the primary longer and i would suggest practicing the buddy breathing with the idea that you give up your primary and take the air2.