SeaQuest Airsource

[Otter]

Without belaboring (once again -- try a search and you will find many many posts with many many opinions), the merits of an integrated alternative air source, I would offer that IF you are going to buy one, go with an Atomic SS1 or AIR2/DUO for several reasons..

Having maintained all of the above, my experience is that the Seaquest is the most difficult/problematic. For all of them, you will need a different size lp inflator hose. The SS1, Air2, and DUO all use the same size fitting...Seaquest is YET a different standard.

If the SS1, the AIR2, and DUO -- the SS1 will accomodate your existing corrugated hose the easiest as it comes with several fittings for different size hoses. For the AIR2/DUO you will need to modify the cable/pin to work on the ProQD.

 

[matt_unique]

A few months back I purchased a BC. I got a Seaquest Pro QD. I was making out my Christmas list and thought I'd like to add the Airsource to it. I like the idea of the power inflator and back-up secondary breathing device being together.

My question is what is this "secondary breathing device" rated at? At what depth would you say would be max for this thing as far as counting on it to work for breathing? I know that your SAC rate will have a lot to do with it, but what do you think? Is this thing pretty reliable?

In the LP catalog I have the item is listed as a "back-up secondary" breathing device. Could any of you see an instance where this would be your "primary" secondary breathing device?

I had someone tell me that when they "tech" dive they try and take as little down with them as possible. They use this thing as their octopus so as to try and limit extra hoses and such. Is this a good idea or should one always dive with an octopus even if they had this type of device on their BC?

I'll just sit back and see what you folks have to say. I'm a grown man, but please be kind. This is my first post. I'm so new I don't even have an opinion

I have used the Air Source for 7 years. They are just as reliable as any BC inflator hose. They are just fine for recreational diving and the benefit of streamlining is a valid one. Like anything - practice doing drills with the gear. Practice an air sharing ascent with a buddy breathing off your primary. The buttons are right there around your mouth at this point. If the system works OK for you then use it and take advantage of the benefits. If it does not, get another system.

This gear is definitely not suitable for tech diving. It would also mean you are using a BC and single tank without a redundant breathing system....definitely not equipment suitable for a tech dive.

I have never breathed off the Air Source deeper than about 110' but at that depth it delivered air. Nothing like a high performance reg of course.

--Matt

 

[moparmagician]

I have a Seaquest Airsource, an older model, and I love it. It attached to my Aqualung Malibu inflator hose ok, and yes, gets rid of that extra hose, which is also a good thing since I have an extra hose going to my drysuit, so actually using all my ports on the 1st stage. The Malibu has a shoulder dump valve so the combo works awesome. As far as breathing, I've heard people say they breath hard, maybe some do, but this one actually breaths easier than either my Scubapro R190, or my older Dacor reg. Inflation of the bc is about half the speed of the inflator the bc came with, which I also like, you can control the air into the bc much better. Overall, I wouldn't go back to a standard octo now, this setup just works too well for me.

 

[JS1scuba]

A few months back I purchased a BC. I got a Seaquest Pro QD. I was making out my Christmas list and thought I'd like to add the Airsource to it. I like the idea of the power inflator and back-up secondary breathing device being together.

My question is what is this "secondary breathing device" rated at? At what depth would you say would be max for this thing as far as counting on it to work for breathing? I know that your SAC rate will have a lot to do with it, but what do you think? Is this thing pretty reliable?

It's very reliable. In our PDC we sell 90% of our recreational BCs with the AquaLung Air Source. This 2nd stage / inflator works extremely well and is designed not as just an integrated inflator but a system for the BC as well. It has the proper hose, "dump grip" so you can deflate the BC using the top dump valve. The 2nd stage breathes quite well. Remember these are for single tank BCs where the maximum recreational depth is about 130 fsw and are used for an ascent. They will breathe well but do not expect them to breathe like a primary regulator will, nor do you want it to be that easy. The purpose of the Air Source is to minimize the probablility of free flow of a dangling octopus, streamline the diving rig, and provide a good alternate air device when you need to share air with someone else.

I use one on one of my personal single tank set ups and it allows me to have a 5 foot long hose on my primary for sharing.

Regards,