You guys caught my attention!

[simonbeans]

Here is a photo taken in 2007 at Portage Quarry, OH. The vintage diver is using a Mod I Phoenix (powder coated in yellow which he calls his "bumble bee"). The extended 1st stage nozzle places the regulator tight against the back and with the original style harness (read, no BC) its placement is correctly between the shoulder blades. Diving without a BC is not difficult and with practice, becomes very liberating. Also by utilizing proper breathing for bouyancy changes, you actually become a better diver, relying on you instead of a BC.

 

[bygolly]

Actually, the back inflate I dive with my DH is the Rangers little bother, the Scout. Kept snugg, the Ranger should do OK, I would add the crotch straps if you have not done so. The key here is the reg needs to be kept as close to your back as possible and the tank is worn a little lower than most keep their modern reg tank.

We are of the same mind on the crotch straps herman. All of my inquiries into them have been met with blank stares and comments such as "What on earth do you need them for?" or "That's a step backwards". But they were going to be the next addition to my kit regardless. That is the one complaint that I have with the Ranger...it rides up on me no matter how I adjust it. Must be the somewhat thicker middle section on me.

 

[Nemrod]

And, in that no BC and military harness configuration there is completely no need for a Phoenix. The standard DA or RAM nozzle is just fine and dandy, even preferred.

Hate to tell y'all this but a Zeagle is like a blimp compared to an Oxy Cheq Mach V 30 or better yet 18.

N

 

[SwimJim]

When you really got the double hose thing bad, you won't even bother with the DA, Royal or Phoenix. You'll go right to the single stage Mistral. Theres just something about a Mistral you can never come back from. Ha, ha, ha ,ha ha, ha...........................................

Jim

 

[bygolly]

Hate to tell y'all this but a Zeagle is like a blimp compared to an Oxy Cheq Mach V 30 or better yet 18.

N

Yup...I hear ya. The Zeagle with the 44 lb lift was originally bought with future dry suit purchases in mind (it is very popular with certain dry suit crowds in western Canada anyway). This BC also went with me on my last two tropical adventures and it was overkill to say the least...I coulda hauled up anchors with it. I must say I did pass a covetous eye over the photo of your Oxycheq...looks like a good rig. I've heard good reports on them lately.

 

[rstofer]

I bought a well used DA AquaMaster from eBay. Then I decided that it would be better to buy a couple of rebuilt regulators from VintageDoubleHose.com (VDH). So, I bought a Royal AquaMaster and a DW Mistral.

I then decided to do the Phoenix upgrade to the DA AM so I sent it to VDH and had Bryan do the work. It is marvelous. I'll get it in the ocean in the next week or so. I have it mounted to an OxyCheq SS Travel Plate with a HOG 32# wing. It look like it will work ok. We'll see...

So, if you are thinking about buying a regulator, save yourself a lot of anguish and buy one of the 3 that are for sale at VDH. If you are thinking about the Phoenix upgrade, either the DA AM or the RAM will work but it's a shame to convert the RAM since it is so pretty the way it is.

Or, buy the Mistral single stage, add a banjo fitting for the SPG and dive without an octo or power inflate.

If I hadn't already bought 3 DH regs, I would buy all 3. That's the problem with addiction. If you don't buy them, I still might...

Richard

 

[bygolly]

I bought a well used DA AquaMaster from eBay. Then I decided that it would be better to buy a couple of rebuilt regulators from VintageDoubleHose.com (VDH). So, I bought a Royal AquaMaster and a DW Mistral.

I then decided to do the Phoenix upgrade to the DA AM so I sent it to VDH and had Bryan do the work. It is marvelous. I'll get it in the ocean in the next week or so. I have it mounted to an OxyCheq SS Travel Plate with a HOG 32# wing. It look like it will work ok. We'll see...

So, if you are thinking about buying a regulator, save yourself a lot of anguish and buy one of the 3 that are for sale at VDH. If you are thinking about the Phoenix upgrade, either the DA AM or the RAM will work but it's a shame to convert the RAM since it is so pretty the way it is.

Or, buy the Mistral single stage, add a banjo fitting for the SPG and dive without an octo or power inflate.

If I hadn't already bought 3 DH regs, I would buy all 3. That's the problem with addiction. If you don't buy them, I still might...

Richard

Ya know....I have given that some thought and your advice may tip me over the edge. I'm pretty new...well lets be honest...I am basically a virgin here and I did wonder how long it would take to get me in the water with one if I did the eBay thing first...then figured out how to rebuild it....then get the Phoenix...and then ....and then. Maybe I will just buy a DA AM from them....get the upgrade but still see what I can score from eBay or wherever and work on them in my spare time.

Thanx Richard

 

[Gilldiver]

Well, first I had a DACOR R-44 that I was given as something to put up on a wall.

Then a Mistral fell into my lap, but it had a Voit Polaris 50 body, so I HAD to set it up as a full Voit.

Then I need a Mistral to replace the one that is now the Voit.

Then I needed a DA Aqua Master to make into the PRAM, but that meant I needed a DA Aqua Master.

And if I had a Mistral, I needed its father the DW Stream Air, then I saw a .............

I think you get the idea by now.

I have 4 more regs on the bench now getting rebuilt, now if I could find a nice Navy Approved ......

Here is what I had with me at Lake George last September. From Left to right - Mistral, Voit Polaris 50, DA Aquamaster conversion to a PRAM, and an original DA Aquamaster.

 

[herman]

And, in that no BC and military harness configuration there is completely no need for a Phoenix. The standard DA or RAM nozzle is just fine and dandy, even preferred.

Hate to tell y'all this but a Zeagle is like a blimp compared to an Oxy Cheq Mach V 30 or better yet 18.

N

The Ranger I agree with you, that is why I don't have it any longer but we may disagree on the Scout. I have one of the old ones which is pretty much a soft BP with a harness and I have a non standard #15 wing on it.

 

[Nemrod]

It is true that there is some sort of insatiable attraction to these double hose regulators. You simply cannot have just one. You keep telling yourself no more but it does no good because you then manage to justify yet another, and another, and another, and another, and another. We may have to form a support group for recovering vintage double hose collectors. It is an addiction.

I understand Herman, they are a nice BC, I am just a purist, the Hog type single piece harness is a vintage concept--at least to me--therefore when using a Hog rigged wing I don't feel like I am a complete traitor to minimalism and vintage.

N