Using your octo as your primary

[Jim Lapenta]

A venturi assist or balance chamber does not make a reg more complicated. It actually simplifies things for a tech. I can tune the HOG regs I sell to exactly the same specs and in order to "detune" the octo all the diver needs to do is turn a knob so that it breathes a little stiffer. As far as a venturi lever all most do is deflect some air back against the diaphragm to lessen the chance of a free flow. Very useful if you have your regs tuned to breathe easy and do not have an adjustment knob.

The nice thing about using a HOG set up is both 2nd stages are identical and you do not have to worry about reduced performance. And if I sell you a HOG singles package you get the D1 cold 1st, 2 HOG seconds (and if you want I can put a yellow cover on one) a 7ft primary hose, 22 inch octo hose, bolt snap, DIN to yoke adapter, and I'll throw in some cave line to tie the bolt snap. You can add different SPG's or even a compact console. Shipping is on me. Go to my on line store and request a quote.

As for the Edge Epics - that has been my best seller for a number of reasons. First of all is the price. A complete set can be had for less than the cost of many 1st and 2nd stages alone. The cold water version - really the only one I sell as the difference in price for a sealed 1st is minimal - comes with a sealed diaphragm 1st, a balanced adjustable primary, a balanced octo with venturi, braided hoses, and a reg bag with a MAP of 419.99 and it breathes as good as any of my Oceanic's that were actually more than double that. Add a compact spg and for less than 500 you get a complete reg set and I pay shipping anywhere in the CONUS and I welcome you to ask for quote on a package that can contain a 2 or 3 gauge console as well. I also run unadvertised specials - just ask.

 

[ramasule]

bamn right there, you want equipment Jim give you equipment.

 

[Mndiv]

What is the 7 ft hose for? Dont you need two 22 inch hoses for the two identical second stages?

 

[Bubbletrubble]

What is the 7 ft hose for? Dont you need two 22 inch hoses for the two identical second stages?

You can get any length reg hose you want.

Standard single tank recreational setup (the configuration you are familiar with)...
Primary reg hose: 28 - 30 inches long
Octo hose: 40 inches long
The octo is donated to another diver in an OOA/LOA situation. The donor continues to breathe off of his primary reg.

DIR-style single tank setup (what Jim is talking about)...
Primary reg hose: 5 - 7 ft.
Backup reg (bungeed necklace) hose: 22 - 24 inches
The primary reg is donated to another diver in a OOA/LOA situation. The donor switches over to his backup reg.
The long hose primary routes under the right arm, hugs upper torso, and curls behind neck. The longer 7 ft. hose will have about 2 feet of extra length that is tucked into the waist strap on the right hand side.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both setups.

 

[ramasule]

Here you go
YouTube - ‪Safety Drill (S-Drill) - Scuba‬‏

 

[Mndiv]

Oh thanks! All the primary+octo+22 inch hose+7ft hose+DIN to Yoke Converter packages I have seen come with only the 7ft hose, which I think (correct me if i'm wrong) might be for more technical divers, atleast not divers fresh out of OW training....? However since there is no apparent option to downgrade the length of the hose I would think it would be OK to settle with the 7ft?

And, are all HOG regs automatically environmentally sealed, and cold water suited, or is there special kits you need to buy for those? I didnt see a cold water kit link on the HOG reg websites...?

Thanks!

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Oh thanks! All the primary+octo+22 inch hose+7ft hose+DIN to Yoke Converter packages I have seen come with only the 7ft hose, which I think (correct me if i'm wrong) might be for more technical divers, atleast not divers fresh out of OW training....? However since there is no apparent option to downgrade the length of the hose I would think it would be OK to settle with the 7ft?

I'm sure that, if you'd like a 30 inch reg hose (primary) and a 40 inch reg hose (octo), you could get it from your preferred HOG retailer.

If you decide to go with the 7 ft. long hose primary, it would be helpful to make sure that: (1) your BCD has a place to tuck in the 2 extra feet of hose (waist strap?) and (2) you learn how to do air-sharing properly with your buddy. Hose management does play a role before/during/after the air-sharing process.

And, are all HOG regs automatically environmentally sealed, and cold water suited, or is there special kits you need to buy for those? I didnt see a cold water kit link on the HOG reg websites...?

If you visit the official HOG website, you'll see your first stage options:

• D1 first stage without cold water kit
• D1 first stage with cold water kit

Overhaul kits are the same for both flavors of first stage.

 

[ramasule]

Look under Jims name in his signature. Where it has Now offering the full line of Edge/HOG gear. If you click that and go to his site it lists the hog set as having a coldwater D1. The hollis fist stages are sealed those are the DC1. 7ft hose is for anyone, like any tool you have to practice with it and become a costumed to it though.

 

[fnfalman]

I should clarify. My octo is just a little harder to breath off than my primary second but still very breathable. I kind of exagerated with the "breaths like crap" comment. I really wouldn't want to dive with it over my primary though.

There are two schools of thoughts on what octo to use. You can decide which one is right for you (although it seems like you already decided but not for the right reason).

First school of thought reasoned that octos are to be used only during emergency so there's no need to spend LOTS OF MONEY for an octo. As long as it delivers air, it's good enough.

Second school of thought reasoned that an octo to be breathed by the stressed diver or by the donating diver (in case of DIR type rig) should be of the same as the main second stage so that there are no surprises either in gas delivery or performance.

I do think, though, that if I am diving a more complex primary second stage (In truth, I dive a SP 109 so it is only one step more complex than my octo), I want an octo that is very simple so less can go wrong with it.

There isn't much that would go wrong with a second stage or an octo. Usually it's the 1st stage that conks out. And if you were to dive in an environment that's cold enough to freeze the second stage and start to cause freeflow, chances are your el cheapo octo without a built-in heat sink would also not work too well either.

So, your logic in choosing a simpler octo than a primary second stage so that it would work in an emergency is...how do I put this diplomatically...flawed.

 

[ramasule]

Thats kind of what I was hinting at, though your explanation was much better.