Out w/Air2?

[MNScuba]

Ok, I'm thinking about getting rid of my Air2 and replacing it with the standard inflator. Question is...

I currently have a ScubaPro Mk16/G250HP for my primary regulator and would like to know if I should make that my alternate and get a better primary, or leave that my primary and get a different alternate? If I get a different alternate, what should I get? Most all of my diving is local (anywhere from 36-78 degrees).

My original thought was to go with an S600 as my primary, but would that be beneficial with my Mk16 first stage? Also, I'm not too sure how good the S600 is in cold water.

 

[ElectricZombie]

I would keep the MK16/G250. There is really no difference in performance between an S600 and a G250. Acutally, about 95% of the parts are the same, and can be interchanged. Save your money. I have an S600 and a G250 and they breath equally well, no difference at all.

I would defiently get rid of the AIR2. It's not such a great idea to have your infaltor and reg combined...harder to vent air on ascents. I'm not impressed with the breating characteristics of an AIR2 either. As for the backup, go with a R190 or an R380. Again, these regs are the same on the inside, and use the same exact service kit. The only difference is the size of the housing. Even if you pay full retail, I think a R380 is around $140.00 and the R190 is even less.

 

[redacted]

So operating design and performance4 about the same. Size must be the only real difference.

 

[ElectricZombie]

Yes, size is the only real difference. Performace is almost the same...it would be impossible to tell any difference between the two. Perhaps a computer could but, it would not be a signifigant change. Both regs use the same design, a balanced poppet design. As I said, at least 95% of the parts are the same.

 

[MNScuba]

Hey, that's great news! For once it sounds like I might actually be able to get by without spending a whole lot of dough.

Next question I guess would be... Do I need to get rid of the Air2 and replace it with the standard inflator or can I keep the Air2 on and use that only for an inflator (unless some odd emergency comes up and I need to breathe from it)?

I think the standard inflator is almost $70 online, but maybe I could sell my Air2 on eBay or something?

Great info though, thanks a bunch!

 

[redacted]

MNScuba once bubbled...
Hey, that's great news! For once it sounds like I might actually be able to get by without spending a whole lot of dough.

Next question I guess would be... Do I need to get rid of the Air2 and replace it with the standard inflator or can I keep the Air2 on and use that only for an inflator (unless some odd emergency comes up and I need to breathe from it)?

I think the standard inflator is almost $70 online, but maybe I could sell my Air2 on eBay or something?

Great info though, thanks a bunch!

This is SCUBA so you must spend a whole lot of dough. But now you can spend it on some other aspect of diving.

Keeping the air 2 and only using the inflator would seem to defeat part of the purpose. A 2nd stage failure in the air 2 may result in loss of power inflator. Not a big problem but clearly an unnecessary failure point.

I wish I had my old power inflator. We could have worked out a trade.

 

[ElectricZombie]

I would get rid of the AIR2 on Ebay, and buy a standard inflator. I wouldn't suggest using the AIR2 like a regular inflator because it could freeflow while a regular inflator would not. Since the AIR2 just dangles off your shoulder, it would be more prone to freeflow. Note that you will need to get the correct fitting for a standard inflator on your LP inflator hose.

 

[MNScuba]

awap once bubbled...

This is SCUBA so you must spend a whole lot of dough. But now you can spend it on some other aspect of diving.

Yeah, you got that right... By comparison though (s600 vs R380) I'm getting by fairly inexpensively, I guess that's all I meant by that.

Pretty good point about the Air2, and that's pretty much what I was thinking too. Looks like one is going on eBay for over $100, so that makes up for the cost of the replacement power inflator at least.

I just know I'll be happier (and maybe a little safer) diving with this new setup. 7' hose, here I come!

 

[Aquamaniac]

Yeah!

Another converted one.

The clan of the 7 foot Hose grows, slowly but surley..........