Integrated 1st Stage - Why not more popular?

[Sea_Jay]

What is the deal with integrated 1st Stage regulators? Commonly seen on Pony (or bailout) bottles.....other than the hassle of filling them, why aren't they more popular?

They are less expensive overall. Is it a reliability issue? "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality?

 

[davehicks]

Not less expensive if you have multiple tanks. Regulators are also expensive to service and if you multiply that by the number of tanks you own it would be ridiculous. I have two ponies and 6 or 7 primary tanks. So no.

 

[Sea_Jay]

Not less expensive if you have multiple tanks. Regulators are also expensive to service and if you multiply that by the number of tanks you own it would be ridiculous. I have two ponies and 6 or 7 primary tanks. So no.

So you are saying that the primary advantage of isolated 1st and 2nd stages is the ability to swap between tanks?

 

[Sea_Jay]

So you are saying that the primary advantage of isolated 1st and 2nd stages is the ability to swap between tanks?

Without having to remove the valve, obviously

 

[tbone1004]

What is the deal with integrated 1st Stage regulators? Commonly seen on Pony (or bailout) bottles.....other than the hassle of filling them, why aren't they more popular?

They are less expensive overall. Is it a reliability issue? "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality?

cost and convenience. With the integrated 1st stages you are binding the regulator to a specific tank so if you want to dive twice in one day without going to a fill station you have to own 2x regulator sets. Very expensive proposition, same reason that you don't see integrated regulators on welding tanks. As far as for things like pony/deco bottles, the integrated first stages can actually make them harder to carry around and somewhat restrictive on how they get mounted