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

[athensplayer]

I run the XT1 and the “cheaper” XT2. If saving $100 for something else sounds appealing, my local dive shop recommended the XT2 and I’ve got no complaints. Super easy breathing

 

[lexvil]

Octo inflators are fine (air 2) and they breathe very well but it is something that you don’t want to use for much beyond a bail out situation, they have some advantages like always being exactly where you expect them to be and they actually work the same if you use a standard set up too. I haven’t used the DGX regs but they seem to have a good reputation and they will sell the kits to you without jumping through any hoops.

 

[Rilelen]

Any reg is fine. I have one set of Atomic Z2s in a standard recreational configurafkon (secondary donate w/octo, yoke regs). What can make a difference is how you route your hoses, and the hose lengths you choose. Go with a simple brass and glass SPG (DiveGearExpress sells several), not a console.

I also use Atomic M11s for doubles, and Halcyon H75Ps on sidemount. ScubaPro Mk19 EVO/G260 on stage and deco regs. They all do a lovely job.

 

[landphil]

The latest SP Air2 is a surprisingly great-breathing reg. But it’s completely out of place on nearly every wing made; since they can only shoulder dump from the inflator. That will have you doing some less than safe maneuvers to vent your BC as you ascend, while also trying to keep hold of some OOA buddy

 

[Scared Silly]

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.

Getting DIN really only matters if one dives in an area that predominately uses DIN values or one has their own cylinders. That is not the case for the vast majority of divers in the USA. Using a DIN to yoke adaptor works but in general is a PITA as it is just one more thing to screw around with by the deck crews. You would be better served with a yoke reg.

As others have said, regulator selection is orthogonal to the BCD selection. What is more important long term is service. I dive Atomic regs, why? Cause they are stable* (their base design has not changed in 25 years), well built, good breathing, etc.. The second stages also have a smaller profile compared most others. Nothing about the Dive Rite reg set listed makes it streamlined anymore than another reg set, i.e. it is marketing.

*A bit more about the stable bit. As I noted the Atomic's base design has not changed in 25 years. That means one can get parts easily for any of their regs regardless if made yesterday or 25 years ago regardless of which AA regulator one owns. One cannot say that about any other brand. Not saying one cannot get parts, but the ease of getting parts. Take for instance the Dive Rite reg set listed. It was new in 2022. What parts are unique to those regs? One take any part from one AA reg and use it in another. It works and works as designed.

 

[lexvil]

The latest SP Air2 is a surprisingly great-breathing reg. But it’s completely out of place on nearly every wing made; since they can only shoulder dump from the inflator. That will have you doing some less than safe maneuvers to vent your BC as you ascend, while also trying to keep hold of some OOA buddy

Where do you get this idea?

 

[landphil]

Where do you get this idea?

I went with “less than safe” but maybe should have said “less than optimal,” cause it’s all doable. But if you’re ascending vertical with your right arms locked together like they train all of the OW divers, it’s much easier with a right shoulder dump, which you’ll have on every scubapro BC, but won’t find on almost any wings. Messing around with the air2 as your breathing source and dump was at least for me less optimal than moving to a necklace 2nd and keeping my BC hose free. I really liked my air2 and wanted it to work when I moved to a bpw- but it just wasn’t for me.

 

[Brett Hatch]

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

I went with the DGX Gears Deep6 "streamlined OW" package for $300 less. I have been very happy with my purchase, and have since picked up several more DGX Gears Deep6 regs. At some point along the way, I decided to experiment with primary hose lengths, and found that I liked the 7 foot hose better than the 40 inch hose, but the 40-incher didn't give me any problems.

By the way, while you're at it, I highly recommend the DGX regulator bags! The large bag is much bigger than needed. The regular size bag is sufficient for two entire reg sets, fully assembled, plus a few bips and bops like dive computers, cables, a few handheld lights, etc.

 

[lexvil]

I went with “less than safe” but maybe should have said “less than optimal,” cause it’s all doable. But if you’re ascending vertical with your right arms locked together like they train all of the OW divers, it’s much easier with a right shoulder dump, which you’ll have on every scubapro BC, but won’t find on almost any wings. Messing around with the air2 as your breathing source and dump was at least for me less optimal than moving to a necklace 2nd and keeping my BC hose free. I really liked my air2 and wanted it to work when I moved to a bpw- but it just wasn’t for me.

I never use the shoulder dump so I can see no difference in use but they are more bulky of course so is every other safe second, optimal is pretty subjective and can be supplanted with familiarity.

 

[Green Frog]

I’ve only got a couple of dives on my BPW since switching over from my old BCD. Initially I felt like I should use a long yellow hose and octopus as that seemed to be everyone’s preference, but between trips I’ve reconfigured my gear with the AIR 2 I’ve used for nearly 30 years. I prefer a fairly long hose for my primary, so if I have to donate, it’s not a problem. Also, I have my an inflator and “Octo” in one place, and that’s what I’m used to. YMMV.