What do you consider "gimmick" gear?

[seeker242]

I don't see combining 2 separate useful pieces of equipment into one useful piece of equipment as being a gimmick. To me that is just good engineering.

Sent from my galaxy S5 Active.

I personally don't like them because if you have 1 failure, you now lose 2 pieces of equipment, instead of just 1. One of which is an air source! I would prefer to have, or to need, 2 failures in order to lose 2 pieces of equipment. Consolidating failure points, so that they take out more equipment, I personally think is bad engineering from a safety standpoint.

 

[jbomb001]

I disagree. I guess diving a completely redundant system I don't worry about losing an air suply and or an inflation device. I could have a total failure of my primary system and still have buoyancy and a backup air suply... and we can debate failure point till blue in the face. There will still be less points of failure on a combo inflation /reg. Then on a power inflator and a separate octo. ..one less hose and 2 less fittings.
For what it's worth my ss1 breaths very well. As far as safety goes by eliminating the extra connection points you cut the likelihood of a failure in half, and even if the reg were to free flow you would simply disconnect the lp hose and orally inflate. Same with a stuck inflator, unhook hose and orally inflate.. oh and as for size I have not done the math but I would assume that by making the octo/inflator a single unit which is roughly the same size as my primary reg. You would actually have LESS surface area dragging through the water then you do with one inflator with hose and a separate reg and another hose.
But again I have not done that math. And I dive a full redundant system so the little reg inflator don't add nearly as much drag as my other gear. None of which is "dangling"

For me if it's primary function is to draw attention or was designed for marketing purposes rather then to actually be a safe or useful piece of gear then it's a gimmick. I may be wrong "I have before and will likely be again" but for me the combo inflator was designed to streamline gear and get rid of an unnecessary hose and is there for not a gimmick

Sent from my galaxy S5 Active.

 

[spectrum]

I've used a mask with a purge valve for over 15 years of diving and have had no problems with it and it's easier to clear. It's an Ocean Master design with the Q strap. So there you go again, it's a personal preference not a universally accepted gimmick.

What is a Q Strap?

 

[seeker242]

There will still be less points of failure on a combo inflation /reg. Then on a power inflator and a separate octo. ..one less hose and 2 less fittings.

I see it a little differently. I would prefer more independent failure points because the chances of having 2 independent failures, at the same time, is much less than having one. From a engineering standpoint, having components in a "series" configuration poses a greater risk to the whole system, compared to having the components in a "parallel" configuration. Most everyone is familiar with a "series configuration" because of the older style Christmas lights. You lose one bulb, the whole string goes dead! I much prefer parallel configurations, but maybe that's just because I'm an engineer. Mathematically speaking, parallel configurations are theoretically more reliable because of the probabilities involved. But if people want to use combo units, that's really none of my business. To each his own!

 

[ams511]

I don't consider the octo inflator a gimmick. Although your LDS will pitch it as one less hose that was not the idea behind it. The idea was that octos tend to come loose from their holders and drag behind the diver. So in an out of air emergency there could be a problem as the divers try to find the octo. The air 2 concept was the diver always knows where the inflator is, so in an out of air emergency you donate the primary and breath off the air 2 while ascending to the surface.

 

[seeker242]

The idea was that octos tend to come loose from their holders and drag behind the diver. So in an out of air emergency there could be a problem as the divers try to find the octo. The air 2 concept was the diver always knows where the inflator is

So basically a crutch, or "solution" if you want to be nice, to poor diving skills? LOL

 

[OldNSalty]

SMBs mounted to your dump value on the BC...not sure if those are still even made

 

[Dhboner]

Sidemount is gimmicky? Having all your failure points in front of you with the ability to feather a valve to secure the air in free flow situation. If that's gimmicky I can live with that.

 

[Akimbo]

Isolation valves, Octos, BCs, anything Mike Nelson doesn't use.

You forgot the silver paint on Mike's suit, even though it served a useful purpose in the storyline. I guess they couldn't figure out how to keep a white hat on his head?

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I consider the Air2 a huge gimmick personally. It doesn't do either well.
The octo is awkward and hard to use, it restricts head movement and also being that it's supposed to be used going up in an air share means you would also have to try and vent at the same time.
On the inflator function, the hose is way too long and hangs down off the front too far, and it's also is a big clunky thing. Way too unstreamlined for my taste. So IMO it doesn't do either well.