How does buoyancy control keep the mouthpiece clean & clear in water that hasn't had the benefit of being run through a Britta filter?
The primary issue with 'crud' in an AAS is it dragging the bottom. That's a combination of buoyancy control and a reliable method of securing it.
I'm not sure what you're predicting the Scubapro mouthpiece would do to prevent suspended particulate/contaminated water from entering the AAS. It doesn't make a water tight seal (
if it did, you wouldn't be able to release it against the water pressure). Thus, when water enters past the holder, bringing along with it any matter in suspension.
Of course, the moment you disengage the AAS to use it... it's going to fill with water anyway... yep.... you know it.
I don't wholely disagree with your basic premise, but this works.
Don't get me wrong... I didn't say it doesn't work. Pretty much all the different octo-holder designs work, to a greater or lesser degree.
I just find it interesting how the scuba industry 're-invents the wheel' in regards to simple items... just to add some element of novelty and permit grandiose and unsubstantiated marketing claims.
In general, I just find that the more complicated a solution, the less effective it is. In this instance, the Scubabpro has a lot more to break/fail and also relies on (diminishing) elasticity to secure the AAS mouthpiece. Over time, these designs start failing and AAS get dangled. I've seen it over and over again... when dive centers I've worked at have trialed these, and other, designs.
I paid < $10, so cost is not exactly an issue.
That'd pay for what? 4x cylinder fills/shore dives?
