What regulator and octopus do you run with your BP/Wing BC?

[BubbleChaser]

I am venturing into the world of BP/wing BCs. I recently purchased my first BP/wing rig, a XDeep Zen. Now I need a regulator and octopus set up. I am a minimalist and would like to keep the BC streamline and tight. What do you run with your BP/wing BC? Why did you choose this set up?

 

[Jai Bar]

Any regulator will do.

You need to decide for yourself whether you prefer DIN or Yoke, and since most brands have good regulators, perhaps look for a one that has good service available in your area.

 

[Talk2MeGooseman]

I also have the XDeep Zen, and any setup will do. Before purchasing, I used a rental regulator set and now my own. Your preference is how you want your regulator set up to be: the standard 2nd stage and octo to donate, primary donate, or long hose primary donate. I find the most important thing is figuring out how you want to clip your SPG and OCTO to your Zen since you won't have "regular pockets," just D-rings. Attaching your stuff well will streamline it.

 

[BubbleChaser]

Any regulator will do.

You need to decide for yourself whether you prefer DIN or Yoke, and since most brands have good regulators, perhaps look for a one that has good service available in your area.

I am leaning towards a DIN because of its stability, pressure rating, and better sealing. The majority of my diving happens when I am on a vacation. Would this be an issue since the dive shops I have been out with only have tanks that are compatible with yoke regulators. I guess I can get a DIN to yoke converter.

 

[BubbleChaser]

I also have the XDeep Zen, and any setup will do. Before purchasing, I used a rental regulator set and now my own. Your preference is how you want your regulator set up to be: the standard 2nd stage and octo to donate, primary donate, or long hose primary donate. I find the most important thing is figuring out how you want to clip your SPG and OCTO to your Zen since you won't have "regular pockets," just D-rings. Attaching your stuff well will streamline it.

Renting a reg set up to play with the configuration is a good idea. I will do that on my first dive in the new BC in a couple weeks at La Jolla Cove. My goal is to have a minimalist setup with least amount of hoses and gadgets hanging from the D-rings. I was looking at using the Scubapro Air 2 combination octopus/inflator regulator. Also, I would use air integration instead of an SPG. This would eliminate the need for additional hoses from the first stage.

 

[DiveLikeAMuppet]

… I was looking at using the Scubapro Air 2 combination octopus/inflator regulator.

Don’t. Or before you do, rent a reg with air2 and have someone stress you just a little bit underwater with few out of gas situations. You are essentially committing yourself to primary donate with none of the training (yours or your buddies) and will be breathing from a low quality poorly positioned regulator in a stressful situation.

 

[rongoodman]

I've been using Deep 6 for a while now, no complaints. I prefer DIN too, but yoke makes more sense if your're traveling because that's what the tanks will be. Finally, forget about the whole "octopus" thing. Chose your regular and then just get two of whatever second stages you like. I would definitely set things up for primary donate, with your secondary on a necklace.

 

[Wibble]

Any good quality regulator set will do. the primary on a long hose, either 1.5m/5ft or 2.1m/7ft and the backup on a short hose with a bungee necklace.

All quality first stage regulators will come in DIN and you can get the manufacturer’s yoke fitting which can be swapped in a few seconds with an Allen key.

 

[Jai Bar]

I am leaning towards a DIN because of its stability, pressure rating, and better sealing. The majority of my diving happens when I am on a vacation. Would this be an issue since the dive shops I have been out with only have tanks that are compatible with yoke regulators. I guess I can get a DIN to yoke converter.

Yes, it can be an issue if wherever you are going have yoke-only cylinders. Always check in advance.

Yoke-DIN converter defeats the purpose of having DIN, but if no other alternative avaliable then it is what it is.

IMHO if you go for one 2nd stage on necklace and the other on long-hose you get the most streamlined option. Otherwise, if you prefer regular hoses then just add a small simple bungee loop on your right D-ring and use it to hold the Octopus- it is as simple as it gets, just a small bungee loop that holds it. Matter of personal preference, there is no "best way" for holding an octopus in place.

 

[BubbleChaser]

Thank you for all the great insights and suggestions on set up and routing configurations. I will steer away from the Air 2 octopus-inflator combo. The Diverite XT1/XT4 Streamlined OW package from Dive Geat Express seems to be a popular set up with Scubaboard members. It is similar to the configuration shared on this thread.

DGX Custom - Dive Rite XT1/XT4 Streamlined OW Reg Package

The Dive Rite XT4/XT1 Streamlined OW Reg Package offers the ultra performance XT4 second stage together with the high performance XT1 first stage from Dive Rite, providing a low work of breathing and top shelf performance in demanding conditions.

www.divegearexpress.com