Meg / Regulator Choice???

dgschott · 6th July 2006, 08:02

Hi everyone! I just finished up my class with Andrew Driver, and my Meg is on it's way from the factory in a week! The class was awesome, and I know Andrew's solution to the reg problem (it's a custom made manifold) It was awesome, although I have a question that I would like your thoughts on. What Regs are you using and how are you routing your hoses? The problem area really becomes on the diluent side, where you have your HP Gauge (no problem), and then your LP: BC, ADV, & 2nd Stage sanity reg around your neck..... 3 LP's from one side.... Are there any good regs that make this easy with as few 90's or blocks, or manifolds? Any good manifolds out the that are worth looking at? I have a couple Apeks TX100 and DS4 First stages, and love working on them. Would either be a plausable reg to use?

Thanks a lot!

***schford*** · 6th July 2006, 08:34

I use Poseidon first stages as does Leon - perhaps a little over kill but makes for lovely routing - no need for anything else.

I would question the need for a second stage for a sanity breath - thats barking mad. Either go Open Loop or bail straight to your independant bailout.

The thing is the way you dive now will start turning into muscle memory - you need to aim to always dive the same and always practise the same skills imho - so when you are diving deeper scary stuff if something goes wrong muscle memory takes over and its automatic. Sanity Breaths from a 2l or 3l dil bottle at 100m+ wouldnt be a good idea - especially if you were hoping to go back on the loop ;-)

JonnyB · 6th July 2006, 08:55

Quote: (Originally Posted by schford)

I use Poseidon first stages as does Leon - perhaps a little over kill but makes for lovely routing - no need for anything else.

I would question the need for a second stage for a sanity breath - thats barking mad. Either go Open Loop or bail straight to your independant bailout.

The thing is the way you dive now will start turning into muscle memory - you need to aim to always dive the same and always practise the same skills imho - so when you are diving deeper scary stuff if something goes wrong muscle memory takes over and its automatic. Sanity Breaths from a 2l or 3l dil bottle at 100m+ wouldnt be a good idea - especially if you were hoping to go back on the loop ;-)

I agree about the poseidons, i will change my scubapros with them, need to get some money first though.
Also you do not need to have bailout regulator fixed to your diluent., flush the loop, that is much faster way, then go on bailout bottle.
If you go off the loop dont go back. If you should go back on the loop abort the dive and ascend, you dont need so much diluent on your way up.

/Jonny

Benthic · 6th July 2006, 09:43

Heather and I are both using the Apeks DS4 on our megs. Admittedly it was mostly because that's what we were using in the OC days. On the dil side I've got two LP hoses coming off the 1st stage, but one has a y-adaptor on it (from M&J Engineering) that gives me three ports: One for the ADV, one for BC, and one for drysuit. Although one could inflate the drysuit from the bailout bottle too.

Quote: (Originally Posted by schford)

<snip>

I would question the need for a second stage for a sanity breath - thats barking mad. Either go Open Loop or bail straight to your independant bailout.

<snip>

I'm with Stu on this one. The bailout bottle is for all your OC needs.

Brian

**wedivebc** · 6th July 2006, 13:29

I use Apeks DSTs just because I have a few of them but essentially they are like DS4s except they swivel. I have to say the open loop/dil flush is the best sanity breath you can get. I am sure I can breath fresh gas off my loop long before you can deploy your second stage OC reg.

rogeringebo · 6th July 2006, 14:02

I use DS4s on all my tanks and are very happy with that choice...like to use only one brand for servic-reasons..
Rodge

dgschott · 8th July 2006, 02:54

Thanks for all your advice and suggestions everyone! Even if I did get an ass whoopin' for the second stage on my diluent side! ;-)

**trob09** · 8th July 2006, 16:54

David,

I use Atomic M1's on my meg and like them. They route best if you use 90 degree swivels from M&J which Andy can hook you up with. The only thing I don't like about them is that the parts kits are a bit hard to come by and you go through a shed-load of christolube at service time (I have 9 of them...)

Basically I use them because I had them from my OC days. If I were starting over, I'd get Apeks.

Regarding running a 2nd stage off the dil. Andy is my rebreather instructor as well. He and I have had several discussion about this issue and I understand why he teaches this (not just for the meg...). During my cave class, the instructors (Tom Mount and Martin Robson) both recommended removing the 2nd stage and use the stage for bail-out.

In the end, I chose to go with a OC integrated DSV (Golem Gear's BOV) which I am quite pleased with. I am still playing with the plumbing of this, but I think it's the best solution for bail-out in the case of the three H's.

Personally, I recommend going with Andrew's method, at least for a while. Open loop works, a bail out stage works and a bungied 2nd stage works. This gives you more options to remember while you're still getting used to the meg.

Oh, and congratulations on your class.

t

**wedivebc** · 8th July 2006, 17:07

Quote: (Originally Posted by trob09)

Open loop works, a bail out stage works and a bungied 2nd stage works. This gives you more options to remember while you're still getting used to the meg.

Not to disagree but I am reminded of this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hick's_law
Less choices = lower reactionary gap

dgschott · 8th July 2006, 23:41

Wow - This went in a totally different direction than I thought it was going to go. Ok - So now - Let's get off the Regulator choices....

What are the pros & cons of using a 2nd stage on a necklace coming off your diluent bottle? I was taught this way, as I stated earlier - but I'd like to know the details for and against it.... Even though I have a feeling there aren't going to be a lot people for it, I'd like to hear the diferent philosophies, arguments, etc.....

Thanks!

6th July 2006, 08:02	#1 (permalink)
dgschott Liquid Productions, LLC Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Aston, PA Posts: 115	Meg / Regulator Choice??? Hi everyone! I just finished up my class with Andrew Driver, and my Meg is on it's way from the factory in a week! The class was awesome, and I know Andrew's solution to the reg problem (it's a custom made manifold) It was awesome, although I have a question that I would like your thoughts on. What Regs are you using and how are you routing your hoses? The problem area really becomes on the diluent side, where you have your HP Gauge (no problem), and then your LP: BC, ADV, & 2nd Stage sanity reg around your neck..... 3 LP's from one side.... Are there any good regs that make this easy with as few 90's or blocks, or manifolds? Any good manifolds out the that are worth looking at? I have a couple Apeks TX100 and DS4 First stages, and love working on them. Would either be a plausable reg to use? Thanks a lot! __________________ David Schott Liquid Productions, LLC
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6th July 2006, 08:34	#2 (permalink)
*schford* Despotic Overlord Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 3,674	Re: Meg / Regulator Choice??? I use Poseidon first stages as does Leon - perhaps a little over kill but makes for lovely routing - no need for anything else. I would question the need for a second stage for a sanity breath - thats barking mad. Either go Open Loop or bail straight to your independant bailout. The thing is the way you dive now will start turning into muscle memory - you need to aim to always dive the same and always practise the same skills imho - so when you are diving deeper scary stuff if something goes wrong muscle memory takes over and its automatic. Sanity Breaths from a 2l or 3l dil bottle at 100m+ wouldnt be a good idea - especially if you were hoping to go back on the loop ;-) __________________ Bailout and Kit Management account for Murphy's Law The only bad question is one you did not ask and later wish you had. Use of Rebreather World is subject to the Rebreather World Terms & Conditions of Use
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6th July 2006, 08:55	#3 (permalink)
JonnyB Johnny The Hatch Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Titan Other CCR Other SCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Megalodon Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other CCR Other SCR Home Build Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Sweden (Stockholm)/Cyprus(Ayia Napa) Posts: 962	Re: Meg / Regulator Choice??? Quote: (Originally Posted by schford) I use Poseidon first stages as does Leon - perhaps a little over kill but makes for lovely routing - no need for anything else. I would question the need for a second stage for a sanity breath - thats barking mad. Either go Open Loop or bail straight to your independant bailout. The thing is the way you dive now will start turning into muscle memory - you need to aim to always dive the same and always practise the same skills imho - so when you are diving deeper scary stuff if something goes wrong muscle memory takes over and its automatic. Sanity Breaths from a 2l or 3l dil bottle at 100m+ wouldnt be a good idea - especially if you were hoping to go back on the loop ;-) I agree about the poseidons, i will change my scubapros with them, need to get some money first though. Also you do not need to have bailout regulator fixed to your diluent., flush the loop, that is much faster way, then go on bailout bottle. If you go off the loop dont go back. If you should go back on the loop abort the dive and ascend, you dont need so much diluent on your way up. /Jonny __________________ A quote from Crazyduck - In remembering our own Rob Davies. "Outbound flight 777 heavy you are cleared for flight Due west into that warm red Texas sunset You have angels on your wings and divers memories on your six." Rest In Peace http://www.divetekcyprus.com http://www.diveccr.com
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6th July 2006, 09:43	#4 (permalink)
Benthic MEGalomaniac Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL USA Posts: 222	Re: Meg / Regulator Choice??? Heather and I are both using the Apeks DS4 on our megs. Admittedly it was mostly because that's what we were using in the OC days. On the dil side I've got two LP hoses coming off the 1st stage, but one has a y-adaptor on it (from M&J Engineering) that gives me three ports: One for the ADV, one for BC, and one for drysuit. Although one could inflate the drysuit from the bailout bottle too. Quote: (Originally Posted by schford) <snip> I would question the need for a second stage for a sanity breath - thats barking mad. Either go Open Loop or bail straight to your independant bailout. <snip> I'm with Stu on this one. The bailout bottle is for all your OC needs. Brian __________________ Well lit rooms will not repel determined beer ninjas.
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6th July 2006, 13:29	#5 (permalink)
wedivebc FIGJAM Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada Posts: 1,411	Re: Meg / Regulator Choice??? I use Apeks DSTs just because I have a few of them but essentially they are like DS4s except they swivel. I have to say the open loop/dil flush is the best sanity breath you can get. I am sure I can breath fresh gas off my loop long before you can deploy your second stage OC reg. __________________ Cheers, Dave.... Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die
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6th July 2006, 14:02	#6 (permalink)
rogeringebo Done with bubbles Current Rebreather/s: Pelagian Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Classic Kiss Pelagian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Stockholm Sweden Posts: 697	Re: Meg / Regulator Choice??? I use DS4s on all my tanks and are very happy with that choice...like to use only one brand for servic-reasons.. Rodge
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8th July 2006, 02:54	#7 (permalink)
dgschott Liquid Productions, LLC Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Aston, PA Posts: 115	Re: Meg / Regulator Choice??? Thanks for all your advice and suggestions everyone! Even if I did get an ass whoopin' for the second stage on my diluent side! ;-) __________________ David Schott Liquid Productions, LLC
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8th July 2006, 16:54	#8 (permalink)
trob09 . Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 699	Re: Meg / Regulator Choice??? David, I use Atomic M1's on my meg and like them. They route best if you use 90 degree swivels from M&J which Andy can hook you up with. The only thing I don't like about them is that the parts kits are a bit hard to come by and you go through a shed-load of christolube at service time (I have 9 of them...) Basically I use them because I had them from my OC days. If I were starting over, I'd get Apeks. Regarding running a 2nd stage off the dil. Andy is my rebreather instructor as well. He and I have had several discussion about this issue and I understand why he teaches this (not just for the meg...). During my cave class, the instructors (Tom Mount and Martin Robson) both recommended removing the 2nd stage and use the stage for bail-out. In the end, I chose to go with a OC integrated DSV (Golem Gear's BOV) which I am quite pleased with. I am still playing with the plumbing of this, but I think it's the best solution for bail-out in the case of the three H's. Personally, I recommend going with Andrew's method, at least for a while. Open loop works, a bail out stage works and a bungied 2nd stage works. This gives you more options to remember while you're still getting used to the meg. Oh, and congratulations on your class. t
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8th July 2006, 17:07	#9 (permalink)
wedivebc FIGJAM Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada Posts: 1,411	Re: Meg / Regulator Choice??? Quote: (Originally Posted by trob09) Open loop works, a bail out stage works and a bungied 2nd stage works. This gives you more options to remember while you're still getting used to the meg. Not to disagree but I am reminded of this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hick's_law Less choices = lower reactionary gap __________________ Cheers, Dave.... Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die
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8th July 2006, 23:41	#10 (permalink)
dgschott Liquid Productions, LLC Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Aston, PA Posts: 115	Re: Meg / Regulator Choice??? Wow - This went in a totally different direction than I thought it was going to go. Ok - So now - Let's get off the Regulator choices.... What are the pros & cons of using a 2nd stage on a necklace coming off your diluent bottle? I was taught this way, as I stated earlier - but I'd like to know the details for and against it.... Even though I have a feeling there aren't going to be a lot people for it, I'd like to hear the diferent philosophies, arguments, etc..... Thanks! __________________ David Schott Liquid Productions, LLC
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