picking an octo...low on the totem pole?

[Scuba-Jay]

Im in the midst of selecting new gear and im pretty sure which way im going on the bc and the reg, but.......should i spend a chunk on the octo, or will pretty much any one do? Im looking at the Mares Brigade Viper for around $75, but there are some other units out there for quite a bit more....ideas?

Thanks

Scuba-Jay

 

[markfm]

I like my Sherwood Minimus, got it with the lefthand connection, instead of the "normal" right, which makes it a lot nicer to actually hand off.
(I also put a 5' hose on it, though a 4' would have been fine -- extra hose makes it practical to do some things that a standard octo hose makes a hassle.)

 

[Cheekymonkey]

Just make sure you like breathing out of your octo, because when you use it is going to be the more stressful times in diving. SO you don't need added stress from a crappy octo.

That being said I have no experience with the octo you mentioned, just make sure its something your comfortable with.

 

[dhampton82]

I would get an octo that is made by the same company that your reg is so that both can be serviced at the same shop and possibly one that used the same rebuild kit.

 

[dhampton82]

Also, a bad breathing reg allways breaths alot better then water does. So no reason to go too great on an octo

 

[Scuba-Jay]

Also, a bad breathing reg allways breaths alot better then water does. So no reason to go too great on an octo

not sure what you mean here, but good idea on the servicing and parts kit!

 

[dhampton82]

not sure what you mean here, but good idea on the servicing and parts kit!

I was trying to say that if your buddy is outta air, he wouldnt care how good your $250 octo breaths as long as he is getting air from it. Same thing the other way, he wouldnt care how bad your $70 octo breaths as long as he is getting air from it

 

[jeckyll]

Think about when you'll need the octo (or when your buddy will). Probably a time of high stress. I'd ensure that whatever reg I present them (or that they'll snatch from me) works well.

Think about someone ripping the reg out of your mouth because they are OOA. Now you're on your octo. What's it worth to you

Best of luck.

Bjorn

 

[Scuba-Jay]

yes true. I just want to ensure that there is nothing im missing re the octos...nothing the more expensive ones have safety wise that the cheaper ones do not.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I have mine bunged around my neck so I got a pretty good one since I will be breathing off it in an OOA