I think what Ian was trying to say is that there is a lot more to choosing/configuring a reg for a technical dive than just breathing it and being comfortable. You have to understand the failure points and failure modes of each piece of equipment and combining your backup w/ the inflator throws a wrench into a lot of the more commonly accepted equip config practices. One example:
- For a stuck inflator, you would typically go head down, kick if you need to, and shut down the right post with your right hand while using the lower dump with your left hand. With an air 2 you either a) have it running off your left post or b) have it running off your right post.
- If a), then you can't shut it down with your right hand and your only real option is to manually disconnect which is more likely to result in an ascent (which could end badly)
- If b) then that means you are also running your backup reg of your right post, which pretty much negates the whole purpose of having redundant regs since both of your second stages are running off the same first stage
- Also, with a), you are running your primary inflation off your right post, which takes away your "third reg". In an OOA, if your back-up fails you can, as a last resort, breath off the inflator
So while you may be comfortable with an Air2, I just don't see them as appropriate for technical diving. Without understanding technical gear configurations and procedures, it would be hard for a recreational diver to opine in regards to its suitability for technical diving.
