Reg. hose lenght???

[texdiveguy]

I just got a Mares ME12 Proton,,,,,the hose it came with is 28",,,,,I would like a hose maybe 30" (black),,,were do I look to get one with the right end fittings/30"??? THANKS

 

[rescuediver009]

I just got a Mares ME12 Proton,,,,,the hose it came with is 28",,,,,I would like a hose maybe 30" (black),,,were do I look to get one with the right end fittings/30"??? THANKS

It depends if the MR12 has that dorky thing inside the hose connection on the first stage. If it does you have to get a longer Mares hose.

If it doesn't, which I remember correctly only the MR22's have it, then you can get any old hose that meets your length requirements. All hose to second stage connections are the same, and the hose to first stage connection is a 3/8". Available at any fine Scuba shop or even online if you so choose.

If i can add my 2 cents, I would recommend trying it once (just once so you can tell them it is still new) to see if you like it or if it pulls too much. It depends on your tank configuration, but I found that this is a great length for me.

 

[texdiveguy]

I am new to the sport.....I tried the 28" hose and it seemed to always be pulling to the right side of my mouth....had to keep repositioning it,,,,and could hardly turn my head to the left without loosing the 2nd. stage??? You mention tank configuration??? I use a Mares Vector 1000 AT,,,,80cf with K valve......the first stage has the Octo/Prim on the right and lp BC hose and console hose on the left. Maybe you could explain a bit on the configuration. Thanks!

 

[scubatoys]

Normally the main reason for pull is the tank being too low in the BC... When diving, the first stage should be right about at the base of your neck... If the tank is slid down to the middle of your back... that will burn up length of the hose. I think that's what he meant by tank configuration.

 

[rescuediver009]

Maybe you could explain a bit on the configuration. Thanks!

Scubatoys is right. I can;t tellyou how mny people I see with tanks that are banging between their knees. Aside from looking completely stupid, it is uncomfortable and causes the pull. I like mine really high personally. Even a little above the base of my neck like Scubatoys suggested. I think that you should consider trying to raise your riding height a little. this will most certainly fix the problem.
What I did when I just started, I kept on raising and lowering the tank height until I found wehat worked for me. I recommend the same to anyone and then once you have the height you like change your hose length to adjust other concerns.

 

[texdiveguy]

Scubatoys is right. I can;t tellyou how mny people I see with tanks that are banging between their knees. Aside from looking completely stupid, it is uncomfortable and causes the pull. I like mine really high personally. Even a little above the base of my neck like Scubatoys suggested. I think that you should consider trying to raise your riding height a little. this will most certainly fix the problem.
What I did when I just started, I kept on raising and lowering the tank height until I found wehat worked for me. I recommend the same to anyone and then once you have the height you like change your hose length to adjust other concerns.

**Your insight and experience is what I am betting on,,,,you are right,,I did probably have the tank to low,,,,thanks....will play around with it Sunday on a dive and save the money!!

 

[RichLockyer]

The tank should be just high enough for you to be able to reach your valve. Too high and you'll always be hitting the reg with your head.
Being able to reach your valve is a safety issue that doesn't seem to be taught anymore.

 

[scubafanatic]

.....Larry is right...I see way too many divers wearing 'low-rider' tanks...you need to be able to reach your tank valve underwater, that's a good way to see if you're mounting your tank 'high' enough.

I'd recommend you upgrade to a 3' ft. hose (36 inches)....that will give you more margin to cope with different configurations, that's the minimum hose length I dive with.........and recently I've upgraded my primary 2nd-stage regs to 4' hoses (Poseidon Odins). I've found I really like the extra length....plenty of slack for head-turning, but not too long such tha tit drags/catches on things...and long enough to make air-sharing more practical.

(I've also got 7' hoses for my 'tec' diving situations, but find that to be overkill for recreational diving/traveling, so I've compromised in the middle with 4' hoses.)

Karl

 

[rescuediver009]

The tank should be just high enough for you to be able to reach your valve. Too high and you'll always be hitting the reg with your head.
Being able to reach your valve is a safety issue that doesn't seem to be taught anymore.

With open water students struggling with buoyancy, and newer and improved design, I think that this skill has been placed lower on the priority list.
No, I do not want to spark a heated debate on whether or not this is relevant. Most definetely so for technical diving with another post, but recreational you are cutting of a major component with little alternative.

 

[Dan Gibson]

OK, I gotta ask. What is meant be newer and improved design and cutting of a major component? Did you mean in recreational diving, there is one less valve? I have absolutely no idea what you mean on newer and improved design.

With open water students struggling with buoyancy, and newer and improved design, I think that this skill has been placed lower on the priority list.
No, I do not want to spark a heated debate on whether or not this is relevant. Most definetely so for technical diving with another post, but recreational you are cutting of a major component with little alternative.