Octo-Z vs Atomic SS1...opinions?

[Couv]

To actually answer your question, I prefer the buttons on my SS1 to the buttons on one of my dive buddies' Octo-Z. Both breathe adequately well for their purpose and both have the convenient threaded attachment to the corregated hose. I would spend the extra $40 for the SS1.

FWIW, I've read all of the arguments on here against integrated inflators, and have used mine to assist an OOA diver, and will continue to use it (as do my tech-trained dive buddies.)

Thank you for answering the OP's question. We don't get much of that around here.

I’m not familiar with either of those Inflator/Regulators, but consider the servicing aspect. If you service your equipment yourself, Zeagle allows parts to be sold to the owner, Atomics does not. However, if you don’t service your regulators yourself, then you would have to take it into a dealer-you already own an Atomics regulator, so logistically the SS1 would make a better choice.

 

[Akimbo]

Not having to Monkey-%$#@ with venting gas in the case of an air share trumps the argument against another hose any day of the week. Strangely enough, the same users citing decreased drag from one less hose nearly always utilize a jacket BCD which is virtual sea-anchor in term of drag as compared to BP/wings. Go figure!

I am not among those who accept the hydrodynamics argument either. Anyone who has ever played with seals can appreciate what slugs we are in the water. I am in the "less dangling crap is less annoying" camp.

I suppose it is what you get used to. I mastered sucking air off my Bouée Fenzy (horsecollar pre-cursor to modern BCs) on practice runs for using it instead of buddy-breathing. I have not personally used a modern combo beyond playing with them in the shop, but it has to better than manually regulating flow and venting off a Fenzy. I don’t believe it is a significant problem, but certainly justifies a little practice. I also would switch to a dedicated octo for decompression or wreck dives where sunshine is more than a minute or two away.

 

[Scott L]

I have read many of your posts and respect your insights. Real question here, not intended to provoke: Is that an entirely objective assessment? I don’t understand, or perhaps not recognized, how fewer hoses can be a negative. It is hard to argue with the muscle memory advantage of grabbing your inflator being the same as an octo.

This is not to diminish the valid arguments that combos involve compromises as an octo, particularly under demanding rescue scenarios. I personally see the disadvantages in casual recreational diving applications as minor enough to easily justify ergonomic preferences if they hold true for the individual.

Good point! If it has been utilized in the past, continued usage in the future has much merit. The majority of my very experienced spearo buddies utilize but I have worries with relying on their skills to manage in the event of an OOA situation. Not so, with a traditional set-up. Heck, I will vent their BCD so long as I have their octo in use...

 

[Zung]

Considering the inflator function alone, do you prefer the ergonomics over a generic K-inflator...

... The hard part of all of this is the human tendency of liking, or learning to tolerate, whatever we get used to.

These 2 sentences are key, but they are to be taken in reverse order: once I get adjusted to to the shape of the thing, it's quite natural for me to wrap my hand around it, use my thumb to press the button, and get the BC inflated almost instantly, all this without looking, or even thinking. The 2 buttons on the AIR2 have different shapes and feel, so there's no confusion possible.

OTOH, on a rental BC, since I'm not used to the shape, I have to find the button, press, and then wait forever for something to happen.

Other points to consider: 1 less hose, easy to find, easy to pack, and the breathing is not too bad.

 

[Akimbo]

These 2 sentences are key, but they are to be taken in reverse order: once I get adjusted to to the shape of the thing, it's quite natural for me to wrap my hand around it, use my thumb to press the button, and get the BC inflated almost instantly, all this without looking, or even thinking...

I suspect that I would adjust as well. What about it being physically so much larger? My reservations were based more on the feel than the button positions, not that they are not also a consideration.

…Other points to consider: 1 less hose, easy to find, easy to pack, and the breathing is not too bad.

Early combos rightfully earned a bad name for poor breathing performance. Based on the summaries of Ansti Breathing machine tests in this article, competitive pressures, and limiting litigation exposure I think it is fair to say the problem has been resolved for most products. Perhaps Megalomegalodon (the OP) may find it useful in making a selection.

7 Backup Breathers | Scuba Diving Magazine

I am skeptical of conclusions in most publications, but I am confident in breathing machine reports and that reporting errors would not go unchallenged.

 

[BDSC]

I'm looking to buy a safe second. I have a Zeagle BC and an Atomic reg. I've narrowed it down to the Octo-Z and the SS1. Price difference is about $40.00.

If I were you I'd pay the extra $40 and get the SS1 from Atomic. The reputation of Atomic regs are second to none. For me it's a no-brainer.

Also, the combo octo/inflator is an excellent choice for an octo. They have been used for many many years and have maintained quite a following of divers who love them. You will read all about the "downside or dangers" of using them and it makes for interesting reading on SB but doesn't play out in real life. If they were actually dangerous, they would have been discontinued years ago.

As you follow along on many of the threads on ScubaBoard, you'll find some great advice that has sound logic behind that advice and you'll find a lot of bull**** that is nothing more than opinion but tries to be passed off as fact.

 

[knowone]

I can see no legitimate reason for not incorporating a shoulder dump on a bc or a wing.
The fact that diving improves capability if that is what is chased and the understanding of that process must then increase, then also should the understanding that no matter how far one is along the path to ultimate proficiency, the massive dumping of air from the top of your bc or wing in an emergency without having to manipulate your inflator or air source should always remain an option.

 

[Zung]

... What about it being physically so much larger?...

The button is on the side, so I wrap my hand only half way around it: the distance between the thumb and the other fingers are about the same both cases, so handling is not an issue. When not in use, it's out of the way and never bug me.

I can see no legitimate reason for not incorporating a shoulder dump on a bc or a wing.

I use my shoulder dump exclusively: it's much more efficient.

 

[TimKy]

I just recently bought the Atomic SS1 and have dived it on about 3 trips now (9 or so total dives). It works great as an inflator/deflator and it breathes MUCH better than any rental reg I ever used.

I made a point to breath from it for several minutes on each dive and it really does breath extremely well, not just well for a safe second. As far as the inflate/deflate during an OOA situation. I practiced inflating and deflating while breathing and it's a non-event. The most important thing I learned is that if you free the hose from the velcro shoulder strap on your bc, it makes it much more comfortable in your mouth.

I think the size and position of the buttons make it much easier to use than the traditional inflator. I found that the buttons were much smoother and took less force to push.

I didn't find any downside at all to the SS1. All in all, I can recommend it without any hesitation. Unfortunately, I don't have any experience with the Octo-Z, but I'm sure that it's a great product just like the other Zeagle products.

 

[fnfalman]

For those that worry about how an inline octo (ala SS1, Air 2, Octo-Z, et al) would not be a saver on hydrodynamics drag by matching it with a jacket BC, then get a BPW and mount the inline octo on it. Works for me.