Spare air VS pony? Why?

[hambleto]

O.k. Here is a quick question. Why would someone want to go with a 3cf Spare Air when you can get a full 20cf pony with reg and octo for ~275? For that matter would I even need an octo on the pony? Other than the spare air is smaller, why would I want it? I meant it looks cool and all but, take a look at the pricing? These are based on buying all new parts. I could bring down the pony price by purchasing rebuilt reg and octo and used bottle. Or am I just way off base here?
Thank you,
Ben


Mares R2 Axis Regulator $110
Mares MR12 Axis Octopus $65
20CF Pony tank $100
Total $275

Spare Air 3cf $200

 

[DeepScuba]

Spare Air = Waste of Money, IMO

Pony's/Stages don't have an octopus.

 

[ScubaJeep]

Last I checked, SpareAir was $299.00

 

[OneBrightGator]

Off base? hell no, I'd say you're spot on.

Not only is a pony setup cheaper bit it will actually get you up from 100ft, with a spare-air you'd be lucky to make it from 30.

If you get a pony rig it like a stage and use a 40 inch hose, if this sounds like gibberish to ya, just drop me a PM, I'll explain it.

Ben

 

[hambleto]

300 for a spare air? That makes it even worse! I could get a 40cf for a pony. Thank you for the info on not need an octo. I did not know that, I have never used one. My gf is just worried and she has seen the spare air in tv shows. So, there really is not reason to get one.
Thank you.

 

[Don Burke]

You can get a nitrox unit for $320.

I call that "preying on ignorance."

 

[O-ring]

Don Burke once bubbled...
You can get a nitrox unit for $320.

I call that "preying on ignorance."

I think the nitrox spare air unit is quite possibly the single most hysterical piece of gear on the market. I crack up uncontrollably every time I see one.

 

[hambleto]

O-ring once bubbled...

I think the nitrox spare air unit is quite possibly the single most hysterical piece of gear on the market. I crack up uncontrollably every time I see one.

Can I ask why you crack up when you see one? Seriously, I am not trying to poke fun, I am just too new to know why you would laugh at the idea of a nitrox spare air? The only thing I can think of, if you are OOA and are trying to make an emergency accent, who cares what you are breathing? Even if you have been down for awhile on nitrox, breathing plain air on the way up would not kill you. Am I correct on this? Although that does make me wonder about a pony. Could the pony have plain air even if you are diving nitrox? Or would you want to have nitrox in the pony? And if you have a nitrox pony, could you use that even if you are diving plain air?
Thank you.
Ben

P.S. is "plain" air a PC term, or should I just call it air?

 

[O-ring]

hambleto once bubbled...


Can I ask why you crack up when you see one? Seriously, I am not trying to poke fun, I am just too new to know why you would laugh at the idea of a nitrox spare air? The only thing I can think of, if you are OOA and are trying to make an emergency accent, who cares what you are breathing? Even if you have been down for awhile on nitrox, breathing plain air on the way up would not kill you. Am I correct on this?
Thank you.
Ben

It is because you are correct that I think it is funny. Who cares what you are breathing? You are correct...if you are having an OOA, what difference does it make if you are on 32% vs. air? Air is more depth neutral anyway.

Could the pony have plain air even if you are diving nitrox?

Yes..

Or would you want to have nitrox in the pony?

You could....but I wouldn't

And if you have a nitrox pony, could you use that even if you are diving plain air?

You could....depends on how deep you are and what nitrox blend is in your pony.

 

[Don Burke]

hambleto once bubbled... Can I ask why you crack up when you see one? Seriously, I am not trying to poke fun, I am just too new to know why you would laugh at the idea of a nitrox spare air? The only thing I can think of, if you are OOA and are trying to make an emergency accent, who cares what you are breathing? Even if you have been down for awhile on nitrox, breathing plain air on the way up would not kill you. Am I correct on this?
Thank you.
Ben

That's pretty much it, Ben. Nitrox is mainly about reducing the amount of nitrogen your body absorbs. What you would be breathing during the minute or so of the ascent isn't much of an issue.