Whats The 'Best' Inflator / Spare Air Regulator

DanDunfee · 11th May 2007, 19:50

What are the opinions of seasoned RBWers who have substantial experience with them, as to which is the 'best' combination BC Inflator / Spare Air Regulator ?? ....and why do you rank it 'best' ??

Thanks in advance for your thoughtful opinions.

Dan

teksimple · 12th May 2007, 11:14

I had the same question, and wasn't satisfied with the answers, so I made my own.

Features:

Fully balanced Apex Egress 2nd stage that breathes great at 350+ feet.
Handles the higher intermediate pressure of my Mk 15.5 diluent first stage.
Connects to any standard BC inflator.
Positioned close to my DSV so that bailout is easy, and because it is part of the inflater assembly, muscle memory makes it easy to find.
When swiveled and pulled out, it can extend several feet away from me to make sharing gas with a buddy much easier.

I shortly will put a CEJN quick disconnect on the 2nd stage so that it can be be used on my offboard 1st stage if necessary, as well as providing a free-flow stop device.

***sadave*** · 12th May 2007, 20:07

I'm pretty happy with my Scubapro Air2. Never had a problem with it, cheap service kits / parts if I need them.

Had an Aqualung one a few years back, and it was the biggest POS I've ever seen. Similar experiences with a mates Oceanpanic one too. I'd stay well clear of either of these.

No personal experience with any of the others.

DanDunfee · 12th May 2007, 20:27

[quote=teksimple;114873]I had the same question, and wasn't satisfied with the answers, so I made my own.

Tecksimple: An innovative solution to get a higher performance reg on as a bailout / octopus ;-)

Dan

Maui Nobubbles · 13th May 2007, 04:11

Atomic Safe Second Inflator (SS1) - which I decided on after many recommedations from RBW gang. Never had any issues with it, breaths fine at depth, easy to remove after diving and makes it easy to rinse the inside of your BC for salt crystals.

mathias · 13th May 2007, 15:39

I have 2 Scubapro Air II in use since 1993. Works well without service ;-))

4ster · 13th May 2007, 15:41

Another vote for the Atomic SS1. I also have a Scubapro Air 2 which works well. They are similar in function but the Atomic is less "clunky".

The Atomic comes with a number of adapters to fit a range of BC corrigated hoses. The SS1 screws into the adapters. I found that I was able to use 2 of the supplied adapters to fit my OC BC and my Rebreather BC. I can attach the Atomic to either. The adapter is also aproximately the same thread size and diameter as a garden hose so after diving I remove the SS1 and attach a hose to rinse my BC bladder.

rdmmdr · 13th May 2007, 17:53

Why spend money on a inflater reg combo. save it for a decent bov and a side-slung thirty for bailout. you cannot buddy breath off one easily. and who would want to hand someone else, in a panic situation, their buoyancy control so some sort of octo is required. And their is didly squat air in a 13 or 19 dil tank at the end of a dive when you are probably going to be needing it. if you are worried about the weight swap your 19s to 13s and plumb for off board dill.

rick

DanDunfee · 13th May 2007, 18:43

Rick

I understand the conventional arguments you make, including the BOV with off-board bailout, and have no fundamental disagreement with the arguments, especially for deep, cold, and stressing diving. However, that approach isn't consistant with the design philosophy and component criteria for the rig I'm working up. I'll be posting the rig concept & design in a few months.

Cheers.........Dan

rdmmdr · 13th May 2007, 20:00

Dan

Cool. Sounds like you are planning one of dave's extreame apline rigs or is it a small o2 rig.
rick

11th May 2007, 19:50	#1 (permalink)
DanDunfee Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other CCR Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 204	Whats The 'Best' Inflator / Spare Air Regulator What are the opinions of seasoned RBWers who have substantial experience with them, as to which is the 'best' combination BC Inflator / Spare Air Regulator ?? ....and why do you rank it 'best' ?? Thanks in advance for your thoughtful opinions. Dan __________________ There are 'Bold' divers and old divers, but NO old, ' Bold ' divers Last edited by DanDunfee : 11th May 2007 at 20:12.
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12th May 2007, 11:14	#2 (permalink)
teksimple RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Haifa Street, Baghdad Posts: 514	Re: Whats The 'Best' Inflator / Spare Air Regulator I had the same question, and wasn't satisfied with the answers, so I made my own. Features: Fully balanced Apex Egress 2nd stage that breathes great at 350+ feet. Handles the higher intermediate pressure of my Mk 15.5 diluent first stage. Connects to any standard BC inflator. Positioned close to my DSV so that bailout is easy, and because it is part of the inflater assembly, muscle memory makes it easy to find. When swiveled and pulled out, it can extend several feet away from me to make sharing gas with a buddy much easier. I shortly will put a CEJN quick disconnect on the 2nd stage so that it can be be used on my offboard 1st stage if necessary, as well as providing a free-flow stop device. __________________ ---- _____________ "I don't know the percentage of the Internet that's valid, do you? Jesus, it's scary." - Hunter S. Thompson
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12th May 2007, 20:07	#3 (permalink)
*sadave* Administrator Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Classic Kiss Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Brisbane, Queensland Posts: 1,131	Re: Whats The 'Best' Inflator / Spare Air Regulator I'm pretty happy with my Scubapro Air2. Never had a problem with it, cheap service kits / parts if I need them. Had an Aqualung one a few years back, and it was the biggest POS I've ever seen. Similar experiences with a mates Oceanpanic one too. I'd stay well clear of either of these. No personal experience with any of the others. __________________ Wave!
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12th May 2007, 20:27	#4 (permalink)
DanDunfee Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other CCR Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 204	Re: Whats The 'Best' Inflator / Spare Air Regulator [quote=teksimple;114873]I had the same question, and wasn't satisfied with the answers, so I made my own. Tecksimple: An innovative solution to get a higher performance reg on as a bailout / octopus ;-) Dan __________________ There are 'Bold' divers and old divers, but NO old, ' Bold ' divers Last edited by DanDunfee : 12th May 2007 at 20:29.
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13th May 2007, 04:11	#5 (permalink)
Maui Nobubbles New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kihei, Maui Hawaii Posts: 69	Re: Whats The 'Best' Inflator / Spare Air Regulator Atomic Safe Second Inflator (SS1) - which I decided on after many recommedations from RBW gang. Never had any issues with it, breaths fine at depth, easy to remove after diving and makes it easy to rinse the inside of your BC for salt crystals. __________________ Maui Nobubbles
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13th May 2007, 15:39	#6 (permalink)
mathias Ouroboros #31 Current Rebreather/s: Ouroboros Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic MK 15.X Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Switzerland - Murten Posts: 189	Re: Whats The 'Best' Inflator / Spare Air Regulator I have 2 Scubapro Air II in use since 1993. Works well without service ;-)) __________________ Our dreams are other people's nightmares ;-) Plus près du fond, plus loin des cons !
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13th May 2007, 15:41	#7 (permalink)
4ster Steve Sprague Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arlington, Washington Posts: 302	Re: Whats The 'Best' Inflator / Spare Air Regulator Another vote for the Atomic SS1. I also have a Scubapro Air 2 which works well. They are similar in function but the Atomic is less "clunky". The Atomic comes with a number of adapters to fit a range of BC corrigated hoses. The SS1 screws into the adapters. I found that I was able to use 2 of the supplied adapters to fit my OC BC and my Rebreather BC. I can attach the Atomic to either. The adapter is also aproximately the same thread size and diameter as a garden hose so after diving I remove the SS1 and attach a hose to rinse my BC bladder. __________________ Steve "My problem is that I have trouble reconciling my gross habits with my net income." Errol Flynn
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13th May 2007, 17:53	#8 (permalink)
rdmmdr designer of death Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: kerman,california Posts: 372	Re: Whats The 'Best' Inflator / Spare Air Regulator Why spend money on a inflater reg combo. save it for a decent bov and a side-slung thirty for bailout. you cannot buddy breath off one easily. and who would want to hand someone else, in a panic situation, their buoyancy control so some sort of octo is required. And their is didly squat air in a 13 or 19 dil tank at the end of a dive when you are probably going to be needing it. if you are worried about the weight swap your 19s to 13s and plumb for off board dill. rick
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13th May 2007, 18:43	#9 (permalink)
DanDunfee Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other CCR Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 204	Re: Whats The 'Best' Inflator / Spare Air Regulator Rick I understand the conventional arguments you make, including the BOV with off-board bailout, and have no fundamental disagreement with the arguments, especially for deep, cold, and stressing diving. However, that approach isn't consistant with the design philosophy and component criteria for the rig I'm working up. I'll be posting the rig concept & design in a few months. Cheers.........Dan __________________ There are 'Bold' divers and old divers, but NO old, ' Bold ' divers
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13th May 2007, 20:00	#10 (permalink)
rdmmdr designer of death Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: kerman,california Posts: 372	Re: Whats The 'Best' Inflator / Spare Air Regulator Dan Cool. Sounds like you are planning one of dave's extreame apline rigs or is it a small o2 rig. rick
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