Pony Regulator

[cjaj_70]

Dont know if this is the right place to post this and if its not mods please move. I have seen a tank valve that has a built in first stage for pony tanks. I didnt think to write down the name of the company but wanted to do some more research on it. Thanks for any information.

 

[ams511]

This guy is selling one: http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=177031

I would recommend you evaluating why you need a pony and if you do, does this offer enough air. You can buy a 19CF, 30CF, or 40CF with a inexpensive regulator for a lower price as this new.

Actually it may be cheaper
Al-19 $115.00
mk2/r290 130.00
pony gauge 50.00
DIY rigging 15.00

Total $310.00

You can save even more buying used.

 

[cjaj_70]

Not to get into the pony debate but, the reason im considering one is that one of my regular buddies dives a mistral and air2 making air share almost impossible.

 

[cjaj_70]

Is the H2odessy the only maker of these? A guy i was talking to at a lds said someone was coming out with a new one. Just trying to do a little research while confined to the house on recovery.

 

[Jimmer]

Yes H2Odessy is one, Zeagle is another.

 

[Gil57usa]

When I Dive my AL80's I use a 19ft. pony. Not because of any reason other than I like to have a totally redundant back-up air supply. You will hear all kinds of arguments about paying attention to where your buddy is, how the air 2 works just fine, yadda, yadda....... Anyone who has been Diving for any length of time knows that no matter how careful you are and how religously you keep track of your Buddy, If someone hits the bottom and stirs up the mud, the vis goes to zero real fast. Murphy is always waiting for something like that to spring a surprise on you (like a first stage malfunction). IMHO, it is far better to have a redundant system than to totally count on a single first w/ primary and octo. Failures of a first stage are not that common, but I don't want to be one of the few who gets to experience it without a back-up. Another benefit to a Pony is that you can leave it with a Diver who may be entangled while you surface to get a larger tank or more help (something my PSD Team practices).

 

[Nemrod]

Well, hmmmm, a "new" Mistral and an Air Two. Well, your buddy needs to loose the Air Two if he is going to dive the Mistral and provide to you a real octapus second.

If you use a BP/wing then I would get a 19 and sling it using a complete regulator. The store bought systems are OK I suppose but the flexibility of the "home made" version is greater.

N

 

[kawasakign]

A Mistral and an Air2? I was looking at getting a Mistral for a little better picture taking, and although I don't use Air2 or similar octos, that really doesn't work for air sharing in that config. I hadn't even thought of that. Thats a good point and glad that people are at least thinking about this when they jump in with a buddy that uses this.

 

[Nemrod]

While I would suggest to the OP that they practice buddy breathing, again, as a long time user of double hose regs and often dive with double hose divers who have the Air Two type rigs, either get a pony or have them get a proper octapus. It is an opinion of mine, that is just a bad combination and I know people who do exactly that but at least we all know how to buddy breath and can actually do it. N

 

[cjaj_70]

Well, hmmmm, a "new" Mistral and an Air Two. Well, your buddy needs to loose the Air Two if he is going to dive the Mistral and provide to you a real octapus second.

If you use a BP/wing then I would get a 19 and sling it using a complete regulator. The store bought systems are OK I suppose but the flexibility of the "home made" version is greater.

N

Are you suggesting BP/W due to the lift? I dive a Seaquest Black Diamond and i believe it should have adequate lift for my AL80 and a 19 pony, or is it for another reason? Thanks for all the info N.