OP
I wrote this back in the spring, but I have not had a chance to post it. Since the subject just came up, I decided to post it here.
Hose weights can make a huge difference in comfort level. It is particularly noticeable with mouthpieces that use a replaceable bite (like single hose bite).
After doing 25 consecutive dives in Grand Cayman and a couple of cold water dives up here, I strongly feel that the comfort level of the hose loops I tested are far superior than my traditional curve mouthpiece loop with no hose weights. I used to really like my the curve mouthpiece and standard hose loop, but now it is hard for me to go back.
Items 2 to 5 below are not immediately obvious. It takes a few dives to realize the difference. It is kind of like asking a single hose diver if they mind the bubbles. Many will tell you they dont even see them they are used to it and have nothing to compare it to.
Advantages of hose weights:
Note: wearing a hood can mitigate this a bit, but many of us prefer not to have to wear a hood in the Caribbean.
Disadvantage of hose weights:
The hose loop should be kept slightly buoyant (not perfectly neutral) to facilitate hose loop recovery. The diver should know to look up.
With the hose weights, notice the hose loop taken a more horizontal curved configuration. Since this picture was taken, I have added a few more weights to get the loop a bit more neutral.
Notice that the hoses are below my peripheral field of view. With an oval mask the diver may not notice it at much because of the partial tunnel vision, but with that mask my peripheral field of view is not obstructed by the mask skirt. The lens is close enough to my eyes that I have almost the same peripheral field as not wearing a mask.
Picture taken by Nemrod
With no hose weights, notice the hoses touching/ rubbing the side of the head, near the ears. When he turn his head, the hoses tend to be in the field of view.
Selfie by Nemrod.
Wearing a hood the diver often doesnt notice that the hoses are touching the side of the head, but they are touching.
---------- Post added September 19th, 2015 at 11:32 AM ----------
BTW, My intention is for this thread to continue to be about the Argonaut Kraken and closely related subjects. The new, near neutrally buoyant, hose loop under development (including the new DSV mouthpiece, etc.) will be part of the Argonaut Kraken. I planned it to be the most comfortable hose loop ever available. It will be just slightly buoyant so that the diver knows where to look for it if it is not in your mouth.
Notice in two of the pictures in my last post that we were diving two different types of DSV prototypes. I have a design that I am very pleased with, I just need to quit my real job so that I spend more time finishing my hobby. I am just kidding, I like my job, it just takes too much time.
Hose weights can make a huge difference in comfort level. It is particularly noticeable with mouthpieces that use a replaceable bite (like single hose bite).
After doing 25 consecutive dives in Grand Cayman and a couple of cold water dives up here, I strongly feel that the comfort level of the hose loops I tested are far superior than my traditional curve mouthpiece loop with no hose weights. I used to really like my the curve mouthpiece and standard hose loop, but now it is hard for me to go back.
Items 2 to 5 below are not immediately obvious. It takes a few dives to realize the difference. It is kind of like asking a single hose diver if they mind the bubbles. Many will tell you they dont even see them they are used to it and have nothing to compare it to.
Advantages of hose weights:
- Reduces upward lift on mouthpiece which is particularly bad with a mouthpiece that sticks out a bit (like a Hope Page, a DSV, a modified hour glass type, or similar).
- It keeps the hoses down and out of the field of view when looking around.
- It keep the hoses from rubbing on my ears (this is a real problem when my ears get sunburn) (See Note below)
- Keeps the hoses from slapping on the side of your head when you turn your head quickly. (see Note below)
- Keeps the hoses in a natural neutral curve with no pull on the diver.
Note: wearing a hood can mitigate this a bit, but many of us prefer not to have to wear a hood in the Caribbean.
Disadvantage of hose weights:
- Cant do the Sea Hunt hose flip to bring the hoses from the back and over your head. The weights can and will hit your head.
- Hose weights do add weight to the system. Total weights should be a bit less than a pound.
The hose loop should be kept slightly buoyant (not perfectly neutral) to facilitate hose loop recovery. The diver should know to look up.
With the hose weights, notice the hose loop taken a more horizontal curved configuration. Since this picture was taken, I have added a few more weights to get the loop a bit more neutral.
Notice that the hoses are below my peripheral field of view. With an oval mask the diver may not notice it at much because of the partial tunnel vision, but with that mask my peripheral field of view is not obstructed by the mask skirt. The lens is close enough to my eyes that I have almost the same peripheral field as not wearing a mask.
Picture taken by Nemrod
With no hose weights, notice the hoses touching/ rubbing the side of the head, near the ears. When he turn his head, the hoses tend to be in the field of view.
Selfie by Nemrod.
Wearing a hood the diver often doesnt notice that the hoses are touching the side of the head, but they are touching.
---------- Post added September 19th, 2015 at 11:32 AM ----------
BTW, My intention is for this thread to continue to be about the Argonaut Kraken and closely related subjects. The new, near neutrally buoyant, hose loop under development (including the new DSV mouthpiece, etc.) will be part of the Argonaut Kraken. I planned it to be the most comfortable hose loop ever available. It will be just slightly buoyant so that the diver knows where to look for it if it is not in your mouth.
Notice in two of the pictures in my last post that we were diving two different types of DSV prototypes. I have a design that I am very pleased with, I just need to quit my real job so that I spend more time finishing my hobby. I am just kidding, I like my job, it just takes too much time.
