Scuba Pro BC + Air2

[jim2386]

Hey guys, Now I'm not here to get into a discussion about Air2 vs and octo. However, my current BC, Scubapro, is getting a bit small for me. It has an Air2 and I like it a lot. However I also like the fact that my BC has a shoulder deflate pull cord (for when my air 2 is in my mouth). Question is, and this may be dumb, will Air2 only work with Scubapro BC's? I don't need a power inflator. Also I'd like to keep scuba pro as my BC if possible. I currently wear a jacket type BC with no shoulder strap adjustments. Just to be nit picky I'd also like a little color too. Most BC's I see are black. Price range would be $150 to about $350 ish but I'm flexible. What do you people think? Thanks in advance, Jim

 

[divemaster_jim]

Hey guys, Now I'm not here to get into a discussion about Air2 vs and octo. However, my current BC, Scubapro, is getting a bit small for me. It has an Air2 and I like it a lot. However I also like the fact that my BC has a shoulder deflate pull cord (for when my air 2 is in my mouth). Question is, and this may be dumb, will Air2 only work with Scubapro BC's? I don't need a power inflator. Also I'd like to keep scuba pro as my BC if possible. I currently wear a jacket type BC with no shoulder strap adjustments. Just to be nit picky I'd also like a little color too. Most BC's I see are black. Price range would be $150 to about $350 ish but I'm flexible. What do you people think? Thanks in advance, Jim

Your Air2 can work on other BCs' I use one on a Black Diamond, It's not intended for it because the inflator hose is smaller than the male fitting on your Air2 but will do it.
As far as your other questions I can't really help you there, I think you'll find alot of folks here either use a back inflated BC or a BP/W (Back Plate with Wings), either of which are good choices IMHO.

 

[elmo6s]

You can just unscrew the Air 2 from the BC (the black part) - it is a uniform size...

I dove with an Air 2 for a while until it started inflating on me in an overhead environment... I luckily was heads up enough to disconnect the whole thing and use a dump valve before I hit anything... Perhaps there is something to be said for simplicity being the saftest thing (Air 2s are very complex inside) - from then on, I will never dive/recommend one - they're not very safe for buddy breathing, and I simply don't find it's worth the risk of something going wrong inside them... A good octo will treat you well!

As for BC, I'm very happy with my Seaquest Balance for recreational diving. Back inflated IMO is way better once your underwater (kind of a pain on the surface) - could be a bit pricey for you, but I highely recommend it...

 

[DennisW]

I recently purchased a new SP Sport Classic BC (vest style) because my old one finally died. The new ones are even better than the old ones. They now have a dump valve attached to the corregated inflator hose and a bottom dump valve as well. Your old Air 2 will fit perfectly. However, your price range is a bit low unless you buy used.

As said before, the Air 2 can be adapted to almost all BCs. I won't say all, because I don't know that it will work on all BCs.