New Air2 buttons "stick"?

[redacted]

No, mine is hard to DEPRESS the buttons, particularly the inflate (round) button. Seems like I have to "aim" the button precisely straight to get it to press down, which makes me want to switch the operation to my RIGHT hand...not too smart or efficient.

My LDS has offered to check it out and "make it right". If that doesn't satisfy me, I'm exchanging it for the octo configuration (probably w/ a bungee/necklace?).

The only "bummer" here is that my husband seems to like HIS Air2 after our single weekend of experience (and ONE OAA drill with our certifiying instructor).

I told him we'd better BOTH practice our OOA drills TOGETHER so I know I can depend on HIM to control ascent w/ his Air2 in his mouth. Practice, practice, practice! If he can't control it either, I want it out of his equipment setup, too. (call me a nag)

One possible catch here is that the mechanism you are trying to operate with "the inflate (round) button" is the same on the SP inflator as it is on the AIR2. Unless something is defective with your Air2, you should expect the same problem with the power inflator.

 

[Mako Mark]

mmmmmust.... resist.... urge... ttto make... comment... abbbbout... evil... Air2's...

(taking deep breaths...)

REMEMBER THE 12 STEPS BOOGIE!!!!!!!

 

[android]

Might want to try a different brand. I just got the Atomic SS1. I took it to my friends to try in his pool. (Test all gear before taking it out for real!) I've read the docs the night before. He's a dive instructor, so he starts telling me how to use it:

Him: You'll have to hold you hand over the regulator exhaust to do a oral inflate.
Me: No, this one seals the regulator exhaust when you push the deflate button.
Him: Oh, well you won't be able to inflate and breathe off the regulator at the same time.
Me: Yes, you can with this one. (Demonstrates)
Him: I've heard they breathe like crap...
Him: (After trying it out) Hey, this is the first Air2 I've seen that doesn't suck!

The buttons are soft and rubbery and easy to push.

And just as comparison, it is a much better spare than my wife's aeris gyro octo.
Plus whoever shares air with me is in for a treat since they'll get to use my B2 while I breathe off the SS1.

 

[DennisW]

Jane - I am sure you will love the bungee necklace configuration. I found it makes air sharing drills very simple, and there are many people around here who believe that it is a safer configuration, as well.

(Note to everyone - please see that I did that without slamming the evil Air2's.

Oops. Ok - almost did it without slamming evil Air2's... )

Just too funny. Air 2's seem to be controversial. I've never figured out why. I like mine, works great. I would not want it in a cave environment, but then again, I don't go into deep dark holes.

Air 2's can be a little finicky about how they are adjusted and they don't like sand. Having said that, they aren't for every body. I wouldn't want to change your mind as long as you don't want to change mine. Mine's much too old to go swapping out anyway.

 

[ScubaSeanMaui]

Unless you have some physical limitation with your left hand, you should be able to use the device in a flute-like mannor. I have a scubapro BC and the air2 device and can use it very easily. Perhaps you need to take it back and see if you can use another one any easier. It's interesting though that you can do it "Easily" with your right hand, since, if it were just harder to do, it would be as difficult with both hands.

Hope it works out!

Sean

I went on my OW Cert dive this weekend w/ my brand new ScubaPro LadyHawk with Air2. All went well except that the buttons on the Air2 were VERY hard for me to press with my left fingers (both to inflate and deflate the BC). :crying2: I often had to use my RIGHT hand to operate the inflate button because that's the only way I could get the button to depress easily.

In my pool work class, I got used to the thumb-operation of the basic inflation-style BC's that don't use an Air2 type hose.
It seems to me that I'm WAY to new at this to be "set in my ways"! My instructor said I should be able to operate both buttons of the Air2 with separate fingers of the left hand (kind of like playing the flute).

Has anyone else found these buttons stiff at first and then loosening up over time?

I was frustrated enough to be tempted to return the Air2 and buy an octopus, :losecool: but I don't want to give up without a little advice from my ScubaBoard Experts.

 

[ShakaZulu]

After everything you read on this site, you still got the Air2, nice...........

 

[AnemoneJane]

One possible catch here is that the mechanism you are trying to operate with "the inflate (round) button" is the same on the SP inflator as it is on the AIR2. Unless something is defective with your Air2, you should expect the same problem with the power inflator.

Now that was something I did not realize about the SP inflator...thanks! I'm going back tomorrow night to the dive shop and will consider ALL the options suggested by you folks.

Here's an obvious newbie-style question: Can I have my LDS owner install A DIFFERENT brand of octo/inflator OR regular inflator on my SP brand BC (Ladyhawk)?

 

[android]

Can I have my LDS owner install A DIFFERENT brand of octo/inflator OR regular inflator on my SP brand BC (Ladyhawk)?

Absolutely. The Atomic SS1 came with three sizes of connectors to fit different sizes of corrugated hoses. Be sure to keep the extra adapters in the event you ever change BC's.

There may be a price difference depending upon whether the dealer ordered your BC with or w/o the octo/inflator. He can typically order with nothing, manual or the BC manufactures octo/inflator.

My BC came with a manual inflator. I kept the manual low pressure hose and the manual inflator that came with the BC to allow me to easily convert to a manual/octo setup if the need occurs.

 

[redacted]

Here's an obvious newbie-style question: Can I have my LDS owner install A DIFFERENT brand of octo/inflator OR regular inflator on my SP brand BC (Ladyhawk)?

Yes, these things are fairly standard. But I really don't think the problem you describe is a brand characteristic. Assuming that it is not a defective left hand you are working with, I would be looking for a defect in that Air2. Your LDS should be able to repair or replace it. Are you able to operate your husbands Air2 withOUT problem?

 

[AnemoneJane]

Yes, these things are fairly standard. But I really don't think the problem you describe is a brand characteristic. Assuming that it is not a defective left hand you are working with, I would be looking for a defect in that Air2. Your LDS should be able to repair or replace it. Are you able to operate your husbands Air2 withOUT problem?

Yes, his Air2 felt just as stiff to me.

Here's an update on my Air2 saga:
We went the the LDS last night, and the owner had me try 4-5 brands of both octo/inflators AND standard inflators. I had the same trouble with all of them, so I'm going to give it some more time to practice (especially now that I'm out of the SCUBA class "perform" for the teacher mentality :errrr: )

I'm planning to work the buttons a lot this week in front of the TV to loosen them up past the natural stiffness that comes w/ a new device.

I'm also gonna invest in a hand-exerciser to build up some muscles in my left hand :sprite10: since I'm probably just a "finger weenie".

I'm diving again next weekend and can't wait to see how much better I do w/ the practice, and the (hopefully) greater level of relaxation. Thanks to all for the advice! :wavey: