Question about bottom routing...

[Father]

Out of a cave or wreck they may not be able to swim next to you. The 5ft may work better out of a side port. It may not. I see where you may be having an issue if you are using the integrated inflator set up. Canting the D3 to the side may necessitate a longer hose on the inflator to account for the bend.
Just out of curiosity, what BC are you using and how did you decide on this set up?

I see... for penetration, yes I can see how moving in a "column" formation makes more sense. Thanks for clearing that up. I'm not in a place where penetration diving is permitted.

Using a Dive Rite Transpac XT. Actually the LP hose for the inflator is about 2 inches longer than I'd like. When I can't the 1st stage it doesn't tighten, I think it actually gives it a little more slack.

I chose this setup because I don't like vest BCs and I wanted to streamline... reducing the amount of hoses was a simple option. I dove with this setup once so far and really like the integrated inflator. Did a test with my wife where I handed my primary off to her and breathed off the inflator and it worked real well. Definiltely happy with it, just need to tweak a couple things to make it perfectomundo.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I would recommend trying the following to make it perfect - try a bungeed back up on a 22 inch hose under your chin instead of the integrated inflator. Swap the integrated for a standard short inflator.

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[Father]

I would recommend trying the following to make it perfect - try a bungeed back up on a 22 inch hose under your chin instead of the integrated inflator. Swap the integrated for a standard short inflator.

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I considered that as an option and wasn't against it completely, but my thoughts were that with the integrated reg-inflator, the inflator is there regardless and adding the ability to breathe off it doesn't really change the profile of it much, if any, but it does eliminate the need for another 2nd stage and one more hose.

I'm pretty happy with the setup, just need to arrange the hoses to bring me to that happy place.

 

[TSandM]

Just make sure you practice doing air-sharing ascents with your octo-inflator. Get used to the limitations on turning your head right, and figure out how to do your buoyancy control with your other dumps.

 

[halocline]

Single tank.

I'm using a 5' hose off my primary and I have an Edge Egress Octo inflator in lieu of a dedicated octo.

I point the turret down and slightly to the right and put the 5ft hose on the end port. The alternate hose(which you don't have) goes slightly up, which is not ideal, but it's just a little and since it goes over your shoulder anyway, the routing is fine. Likewise for the inflator hose; it's a bit downward but not nearly enough to cause a problem. You really just need to point the turret slightly to the right, it's mostly pointing down. I think you want the 5ft hose to go between the wing and your back, (I don't know if that means in 'front' or 'behind') meaning when the wing wraps a bit around the tank, it won't affect the hose. With the 5ft hose, the hose routs under your arm and across your chest; it shouldn't even touch the wing. On my set up there's no problem with the wing and end port.

While using a 5ft hose with an octo/inflator is certainly an improvement over using one with a 28-30" primary hose, personally I'm not a fan of them, and I suspect neither will you be the first time you have a stressful air-sharing situation, or have to use your reg on a different BC (or vice-versa) or just get tired of using a longer-than-necessary corrugated inflator hose and a bulkier-than-necessary inflator several times per dive. The bungied alternate is a great set up, IMO.

 

[PfcAJ]

With a shorter hose like a 5' or 40" the bottom port is reasonable, IMO. I still think 7' is best, and with a proper bungeed backup.