Octo-Z vs Atomic SS1...opinions?

[Zung]

20 years ago, me and the wife were freshly certified, and we buddy breathed through a (true) deco stop. Wonder why they stop teaching this? Are we not real men/women anymore?

 

[Scott L]

A damn good argument and reason for having an inline octo.

I find it utterly hilarious that many self-annointed scuba expert on this board who go out of their way to poopoo a product that they know little or have zero experience with. Yet here it is in your equipment configuration, it's the perfect way to give you a bit of redundancy.

Of course, the hardcore old timey divers would probably poopoo the use of an extra breathing apparatus but instead insist on buddy breath method becaue the octo "would be a solution to a nonexistent problem.'

So, tell us non-believers what the functional benefit over a traditional octo set-up is?

 

[knowone]

I like them.

 

[Couv]

The octo-z is on my short list of thing to buy. I like the garden hose attachment option for rinsing the bc that my air 2 doesn't have. Many of my favorite regulator 1st stages only have two lp ports so the air 2 option is way better than the buddy breathing option of years past.

SuperStar,

I'm guessing ScubaPro invented the AIR 2 because there were so many first stages out there that only had 2 low pressure ports. With the popularity of power inflators then the demand for an octopus, they solved a problem that did exist.

c

 

[Scott L]

SuperStar,

I'm guessing ScubaPro invented the AIR 2 because there were so many first stages out there that only had 2 low pressure ports. With the popularity of power inflators then the demand for an octopus, they solved a problem that did exist.

c

That was then. In the present, all 1st stages are manufactured with at least 4 LP ports. Funds that would be directed to inflator/reg combos can now be spend on BP/wings for a more thoughtful gear package...

 

[hypertech]

Its smaller in the gear bag which makes for easier traveling. Its one less danglie which makes for a less annoying setup. That right there are at least 2 reasons to use one.

Although I now have crap slung all over the place, when I was diving an SS1 with an air integrated wrist computer, it was a nice setup. If all I did was easy warm water diving, I'd probably still be using it.

And, I don't buy the "you are better off spending the money on a BP&W" argument. Its not always a question of funds. Depending on the diving and person, the SS1 on a jacket may be a superior rig for them if that is what they want. There was even a post in this thread of a Halcyon BP&W with an SS1. Clearly money wasn't an issue there.

Its all about what you are looking to get out of it. And, it gets tiring seeing people crap all over a piece of equipment because it doesn't fit their needs/wants when in reality, it can be very useful for another person.

 

[Akimbo]

That was then. In the present, all 1st stages are manufactured with at least 4 LP ports. Funds that would be directed to inflator/reg combos can now be spend on BP/wings for a more thoughtful gear package...

Don't forget the wide-spread use of drysuits that also require inflators.

 

[formula1mb@aol.com]

Air2 or an SS1 is great for lift bags or SMB's too, lets you inflate even a large one without having to take your main reg out to inflate it orally and without affecting your buoyancy------just use the purge on the Air2 / SS1.

 

[Downing]

Its all about what you are looking to get out of it. And, it gets tiring seeing people crap all over a piece of equipment because it doesn't fit their needs/wants when in reality, it can be very useful for another person.

I attribute it to ego. Many of us fall into the trap of "I know I am smart. This is my setup. Therefore, if you choose a different setup, you must not be as smart as me."

There's a lot of great gear out there. Personally, I think the world would be a little less interesting if we all dove the same gear with the same configurations all the time.

I choose to use an SS1 pretty much for the same reasons hypertech stated: one less thing to deal with both in and out of the water. My wife prefers an octo and doesn't think it's much trouble at all. And yet, somehow we just keep chugging along enjoying our dives together.

 

[Akimbo]

I attribute it to ego. Many of us fall into the trap of "I know I am smart. This is my setup. Therefore, if you choose a different setup, you must not be as smart as me."...

This is a factor for sure, but I believe that most conversations of this nature are motivated by different personal experiences and sincere concerns. Unfortunately, they are often not expressed very artfully.

I can’t understand how anyone can look at any piece of diving equipment and believe that perfection has been reached. There are strengths, compromises, limitations, and personal preferences associated with them all. I do think it is helpful to the poster and the thousands of subsequent readers of a post to be exposed to all the considerations.