Setup for my Bail Out Bottle.

[gemiller]

Looking for a regulator set for my bail out bottle. Willing to also consider with octopus (bail out bottle is a 40, so I could sustain two divers for most ascents in general for what i'm doing). On a budget of let's say 300 tops (all depends on the deal ya know?). I just purchased a new primary regulator set (went zeagle onyx and mares instinct octo) but my old primary set is going to my wife who now has her own full set of gear so I don't have tons of money to buy another top tier new set, but still want something reliable and quality for my pony considering it's only as useful as the gear on it.

Let me know what you have.

 

[scubastingray]

Why not just buy a hog d1 for $180? That includes the first and second stage, and you're looking at $30 or so for a pony gauge.

 

[gemiller]

Why not just buy a hog d1 for $180? That includes the first and second stage, and you're looking at $30 or so for a pony gauge.

Mainly because my LDS (which note is also over an hour away) is not a HOG "service" company. I've read a lot of good things about those but i'm concerned about the potential need for service and not having anywhere to go with it.

- Aeris
- Apeks
- Aqualung/U.S. Divers
- Atomic
- Cressi Sub
- Genesis
- Hollis
- Mares/Dacor Post 2000
- Oceanic
- Ocean Reef
- OTS
- Scubapro
- Seaquest
- Sherwood
- Si Tech
- Sherwood
- Subgear
- Poseidon
- Tusa
- Uwatec
- Zeagle

Is their service list.

 

[scubastingray]

Did you ask them if they would service the HOG reg? With a list like that of brands they service I would be shocked if they said no, especially because the Hog isn't a complicated setup and shares similarities with more than one brand on that list. Not being a dealer might not be a big deal in this case, because anyone can buy the parts (including you).

Okay, then pick something like this up:

Hollis 212 DC3 Regulator with Maxflex hose : Dive Addicts Inc : Hollis...

That is the primary I use now for my singles yoke setup, and it breathes incredibly well. You can get it in din or yoke. It's a great reg for a great price, and I'd always recommend it. It is environmentally sealed and has adjustable breathing effort so you can tune it way down when it's clipped off and switch it up when you need to breathe off it.

Point is, you can get plenty of regs on that list for way under $300.


I don't meant to deter anyone trying to sell you something used, I just think with your budget you could get a very nice pony setup.

 

[gemiller]

No, i'm aware if I go with a single second stage combo I can be in that range, I'm just saying what i'm willing to pay, obviously that doesn't mean i'm willing to pay that for something not worth that. For the right package with 1st, 2nd primary, 2nd alternate, gauges, it's not so out of realm anymore, not saying I need that, but i'd consider it. That hollis is a nice deal though, i'll be considering that.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

You could always send it to me and the rebuild on a HOG reg is every two years. I'm as close as your nearest post office or mailman.

One thing to consider on a bail out bottle is that it's going to be a mess if you try to put a full reg set on it with a pair of seconds. Absolutely no need to do that. Worst case scenario if you do have to deploy it and both divers have run out of gas you buddy breathe it. And if both divers have run out of gas you have bigger problems to deal with before doing another dive. A short course or workshop in dive planning that includes gas management is likely called for. Also how many times have you actually deployed this bottle and how are you carrying it? What training in use of a stage or bailout bottle do you have?

 

[gemiller]

You could always send it to me and the rebuild on a HOG reg is every two years. I'm as close as your nearest post office or mailman.

One thing to consider on a bail out bottle is that it's going to be a mess if you try to put a full reg set on it with a pair of seconds. Absolutely no need to do that. Worst case scenario if you do have to deploy it and both divers have run out of gas you buddy breathe it. And if both divers have run out of gas you have bigger problems to deal with before doing another dive. A short course or workshop in dive planning that includes gas management is likely called for. Also how many times have you actually deployed this bottle and how are you carrying it? What training in use of a stage or bailout bottle do you have?

Never used it once, hope to never use it. Well, I lie, I use it to vacuum out the deep end of my inground swimming pool lol. I carry it with a stage rig setup from top right to bottom left clips on the bc.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

It is commonly recommended to deploy the reg on every dive outing or every other one. It builds muscle memory and insures that it works. Carrying one and never using it is a bad habit to get into.

 

[gemiller]

It is commonly recommended to deploy the reg on every dive outing or every other one. It builds muscle memory and insures that it works. Carrying one and never using it is a bad habit to get into.

Maybe I misinterpreted your question. If you meant how often have I "needed" to use my bailout bottle my answer stands, if you mean how often have I practiced using it, that's a different question, I don't "deploy" it every other dive, but before every major dive I do a practice run with whomever I'm diving with.

Thread closed: Just ended up going with the positive reviews on HOG and ordering a Hog D1 and "classic" 2nd stage. At least I now know of an instate service provider for them.