Whats the Diff btw an Octo and primary reg ???

[SeaHound]

How is an Octopus made differently from yur main primary reg? I look at the regulator designs and it seems as if the same reg has been painted yellow and being sold as a different product?

Example ... How is this

Atomic M1 Octopus, Yellow from LeisurePro.com

a different product from

Atomic Aquatics "M1" Regulator, Black from LeisurePro.com

or how is this ...

Aqualung Calypso Regulator from LeisurePro.com


different from this

Aqualung Calypso/Titan Octopus, Yellow from LeisurePro.com

Is it just the paint for which I am paying extra bucks?

 

[resnick]

How is an Octopus made differently from yur main primary reg? I look at the regulator designs and it seems as if the same reg has been painted yellow and being sold as a different product?

In addition to the brighter color to make it easier to see, secondary second stages are supposedly tuned less sensitively than primary second stages so that they are less likely to freeflow while hanging there on your BC or in a pocket. That said:

Example ... How is this

Atomic M1 Octopus, Yellow from LeisurePro.com

a different product from

Atomic Aquatics "M1" Regulator, Black from LeisurePro.com

or how is this ...

Aqualung Calypso Regulator from LeisurePro.com

different from this

Aqualung Calypso/Titan Octopus, Yellow from LeisurePro.com

Is it just the paint for which I am paying extra bucks?

Uh, the item marked "Octopus" in each of those examples does not include a first stage, whereas the other item comes with the first and second stage. So I would expect it to cost a little extra.

 

[SeaHound]

But other than that it is the same second stage right? I mean if you were to open it up you will find that its is the same piece of equipment?

 

[Web Monkey]

But other than that it is the same second stage right? I mean if you were to open it up you will find that its is the same piece of equipment?

Not always.

The Atomics regs/octos are all the same inside, however there are also really cheap/weird regulators sold as "octos" because people don't want to spend money on their alternate. IMO, this is a really bad idea. The last thing you want is poor quality backup equipment.

Also, a lot of octos are either configured (or configurable) with the hose on the other side.

Terry

 

[tfsails]

Lots of times a company will market an octo that is basically identical to one of its primary second stages (Aeris A1, for example). One potential difference is that the octo may have a stronger poppet spring. This results in making the octo a tad harder to breathe through, which is by design. It's a backup reg; you won't use it a whole lot, so its primary function is to sit there and be ready when it's needed. Therefore, you don't want that reg to free-flow and waste your air. Though it's not done often, the wise diver uses his/her octo with some regularity just to make certain it'll work when he/she needs it. I know I test mine underwater on just about every dive day.

Not every manufacturer installs different springs in their octos vice primary regs; I do not mean to imply that Aeris does; I was just citing an example of an octo that's virtually identical to a primary reg.

If you read the above paragraph and think it's unnecessary and redundant, thank a lawyer.

 

[Wayward Son]

my primary is in my mouth, my octo is hanging from a bungee around my neck.

 

[naedward81]

^^^with all that being said, could you just use a regular second stage as a backup?

 

[DanBMW]

^^^with all that being said, could you just use a regular second stage as a backup?

Yes.... Not a bad idea to use it from time to time anyway.

 

[Colliam7]

How is an Octopus made differently from yur main primary reg? I look at the regulator designs and it seems as if the same reg has been painted yellow and being sold as a different product?

with all that being said, could you just use a regular second stage as a backup?

There are three scenarios that can be discerned across the comments. The first is the case where the alternate second stage is a less expensive (cheaper), more modest performing (breaths harder, may not be user-adjustable, etc.) regulator. That is a matter of economics, determined either by the purchaser (‘I want to go with a cheaper alternate – I don’t use it.’) or the LDS / manufacturer in putting together a ‘package’. The second is an alternate second stage of equivalent price, quality and construction, but slightly different performance (e.g. stiffer poppet spring). The third is an identical alternate, or an alternate that differs only is cosmetic characteristics (yellow body, or yellow purge dome). Of the three I usually recommend the third, but ultimately, it is a purchaser decision. Where the description or terminology is confusing it is best to ask if the units are identical or not.

 

[Clanggedin]

I went with a second stage that performs equally to my primary. Since I'll be breathing off of it and donating my primary, i wanted the same quality of air.