Buddy Air

JohnW · 29th July 2008, 00:43

I just finished my Evo training last week and really like the entire unit, except the Buddy Air. I understand that AP and Silent Diving does not want us messing with it and gives many good reasons. But I really feel the urge to attach a standard inflator.

What are my options?

scubanimal · 29th July 2008, 01:42

The issue has been discussed several times, you might want to do a search to collect ideas. I'm not a fan of mine at all, it leaks frequently dispite the IP being within specs.

Something to consider though is it breathes pretty good at depth, and most of the alternatives may not be as good. What I did on my optima, since I use 13cuft tanks on it is plumb my bailout gas into my BC and my second air. Plus I keep a reg on the bailout as well.

What you might want to consider is that AP is coming out with a BOV any day, and they may then lighten up on removing the buddy air.

let us know what you decide and how you like it.

blue_dubai · 29th July 2008, 06:24

I received my Inspiration new and after the first dive my buddy air started to leak. I will replace it with a normal inflator and i decided to carry on all dives an outboard bailout with seperate reg. None of my buddies kept the buddy air on their units.

cramerdn · 29th July 2008, 08:01

Use the Search function Luke

Mark Chase · 29th July 2008, 12:37

Standard necklaced regulator and an OPV on the first stage. Replace wing inflate with a standard unit

This option is even in the APD manual for the Inspo.

Buddy air/Auto air is totaly inadiquate for the diveing CCRs were designed to do.

ATB

Mark

ajmtucke · 30th July 2008, 16:13

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase)

Buddy air/Auto air is totaly inadiquate for the diveing CCRs were designed to do.

Why not ??

I have not changed the autoair on either my classic or vision. cold, warm, very deep, shallow, salt, fresh etc.. and it has never leaked, missed a beat or anything.

Would i change it.....no....just look after it and wash it occasionally !

a

Steve the Box · 30th July 2008, 17:23

Tried mine for a few dives it was just crap, the Scubapro Air 11
was a better bet if your into that way of doing it, I must say
it did look good back on the unit when it was sold. Its a pain
you have to buy it with the unit.

JohnW · 30th July 2008, 20:58

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase)

Mark......I'm liking this a lot!

Mark Chase · 30th July 2008, 21:09

Quote: (Originally Posted by ajmtucke)

Why not ??

I have not changed the autoair on either my classic or vision. cold, warm, very deep, shallow, salt, fresh etc.. and it has never leaked, missed a beat or anything.

Would i change it.....no....just look after it and wash it occasionally !

a

Because they breath awful, often fail/leak and breathing of the same device as your controlling the wing with is just a bit much for me I am afraid.

If i am bailing out i want to do it on to a high performance regulator and have total control over my wing. At the moment of bailing out its the moment you lose buoyancy control. You go heads up loose trim gas moves in the suit and all of a sudden you needing to dump from the thing your breathing off. Its just not a good plan IMHO.

For deep dives where diluient is more critical but unlikley to be used as bailout the thing is too prone to leeks to enable me to put my trust in it with a heavy deco comitment.

But thats just my 2p.

ATB

Mark

**aainslie** · 30th July 2008, 22:14

Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnW)

I understand that AP and Silent Diving does not want us messing with it and gives many good reasons.

Dude, NEVER trust a source with an incentive to be biased. Do you expect AP to say "Yeah, we sold you a POS"?

Dump it for an el cheapo inflator. Get a BOV from Golem. Run your bailout offboard to something bigger than a 20 cu ft tank. You'll never look back...

29th July 2008, 00:43	#1 (permalink)
JohnW New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Calgary Posts: 5	Buddy Air I just finished my Evo training last week and really like the entire unit, except the Buddy Air. I understand that AP and Silent Diving does not want us messing with it and gives many good reasons. But I really feel the urge to attach a standard inflator. What are my options?
(Offline)

29th July 2008, 01:42	#2 (permalink)
scubanimal RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Optima Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 98	Re: Buddy Air The issue has been discussed several times, you might want to do a search to collect ideas. I'm not a fan of mine at all, it leaks frequently dispite the IP being within specs. Something to consider though is it breathes pretty good at depth, and most of the alternatives may not be as good. What I did on my optima, since I use 13cuft tanks on it is plumb my bailout gas into my BC and my second air. Plus I keep a reg on the bailout as well. What you might want to consider is that AP is coming out with a BOV any day, and they may then lighten up on removing the buddy air. let us know what you decide and how you like it.
(Offline)

29th July 2008, 06:24	#3 (permalink)
blue_dubai RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dubai Posts: 50	Re: Buddy Air I received my Inspiration new and after the first dive my buddy air started to leak. I will replace it with a normal inflator and i decided to carry on all dives an outboard bailout with seperate reg. None of my buddies kept the buddy air on their units. __________________ Best Regards, Saman
(Offline)

29th July 2008, 08:01	#4 (permalink)
cramerdn Obey my dog! Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Townsville QLD Posts: 738	Re: Buddy Air Use the Search function Luke __________________ "Its better to live one day as a tiger than an entire life as a worm." "But who's ever heard of a worm skin rug?"
(Offline)

29th July 2008, 12:37	#5 (permalink)
Mark Chase RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 2,867	Re: Buddy Air Standard necklaced regulator and an OPV on the first stage. Replace wing inflate with a standard unit This option is even in the APD manual for the Inspo. Buddy air/Auto air is totaly inadiquate for the diveing CCRs were designed to do. ATB Mark __________________ See my "Doing It Chasey" video where I'm locked into a padded room, naked, with two ball bearings and within an Hour, I manage to lose one and break the other!!! Kevin Juergensen 16/11/08 [/quote]
(Offline)

30th July 2008, 16:13	#6 (permalink)
ajmtucke RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hereford, UK Posts: 86	Re: Buddy Air Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase) Buddy air/Auto air is totaly inadiquate for the diveing CCRs were designed to do. Why not ?? I have not changed the autoair on either my classic or vision. cold, warm, very deep, shallow, salt, fresh etc.. and it has never leaked, missed a beat or anything. Would i change it.....no....just look after it and wash it occasionally ! a
(Offline)

30th July 2008, 17:23	#7 (permalink)
Steve the Box New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Surrey,England Posts: 13	Re: Buddy Air Tried mine for a few dives it was just crap, the Scubapro Air 11 was a better bet if your into that way of doing it, I must say it did look good back on the unit when it was sold. Its a pain you have to buy it with the unit.
(Offline)

30th July 2008, 20:58	#8 (permalink)
JohnW New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Calgary Posts: 5	Re: Buddy Air Quote: (Originally Posted by Mark Chase) Mark......I'm liking this a lot!
(Offline)

30th July 2008, 21:09	#9 (permalink)
Mark Chase RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 2,867	Re: Buddy Air Quote: (Originally Posted by ajmtucke) Why not ?? I have not changed the autoair on either my classic or vision. cold, warm, very deep, shallow, salt, fresh etc.. and it has never leaked, missed a beat or anything. Would i change it.....no....just look after it and wash it occasionally ! a Because they breath awful, often fail/leak and breathing of the same device as your controlling the wing with is just a bit much for me I am afraid. If i am bailing out i want to do it on to a high performance regulator and have total control over my wing. At the moment of bailing out its the moment you lose buoyancy control. You go heads up loose trim gas moves in the suit and all of a sudden you needing to dump from the thing your breathing off. Its just not a good plan IMHO. For deep dives where diluient is more critical but unlikley to be used as bailout the thing is too prone to leeks to enable me to put my trust in it with a heavy deco comitment. But thats just my 2p. ATB Mark __________________ See my "Doing It Chasey" video where I'm locked into a padded room, naked, with two ball bearings and within an Hour, I manage to lose one and break the other!!! Kevin Juergensen 16/11/08 [/quote]
(Offline)

30th July 2008, 22:14	#10 (permalink)
aainslie So Cal Tech Diver Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: LA Posts: 262	Re: Buddy Air Quote: (Originally Posted by JohnW) I understand that AP and Silent Diving does not want us messing with it and gives many good reasons. Dude, NEVER trust a source with an incentive to be biased. Do you expect AP to say "Yeah, we sold you a POS"? Dump it for an el cheapo inflator. Get a BOV from Golem. Run your bailout offboard to something bigger than a 20 cu ft tank. You'll never look back... __________________ Andrew Ainslie
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode