Self serviceable octo brand? Hog no go? :(

[ams511]

It can be done - during my OW course the shop gear had a standard second stage at the end of the BCD inflator hose with an attachment so that the BCD could be attached as well. Our instructor referred to it as an "escorter", but this was nearly 20 years ago, and I've never seen any reference to an escorter since.

But...

I would strongly not recommend it. The size of the second stage and the length of the BCD inflator hose meant that if you were sharing your air source, you could only face to your left because the hoses were too short. Fair to say that this completely put me off the idea of ever using a combined BCD inflator and alternate second stage.

You mean something like this:



"Y" Adapter, Piranha Dive Manufacturing

 

[hypnodiver]

You mean something like this:



"Y" Adapter, Piranha Dive Manufacturing

Something like that, though the hose connections were positioned so that all the hoses would run parallel, and the second stage sat neatly against the BCD inflator hose.

 

[beachnik]

Are you asking whether there is a combined octo-inflator that is self-serviceable? I'm sure they all are, but to my knowledge, no one who makes one makes the parts readily available to the consumer...

Maybe. Maybe not. I guess the operative phrases are "readily available" & "to the consumer". I think if he has his heart set on an alternate air device, he can find the service parts.


The alt air device that AWAP linked to is made by ODS in Taiwan. It's private labeled and sold under the names:


- Dive Rite
- Blue Reef (leisurepro)
- H2Odyssey
- Storm (Dolphin Scuba Center)
- and probably numerous more


Not long ago, Dive Gear Express had service kits listed on their site (for the 'Rite Source'). Maybe they still have them but they are not listed (?). The OP could call DiveGearExpress. Or call H2Odyssey in Vista CA (they are in the same building as ODS in California - imagine that!)


I've got the one branded 'H2Odyssey' on my Zeagle Express Tech BC. (I've owned a number of the Aqua Lung alternate air devices). The device made by ODS works OK.


My complaints with the ODS made device:
The threads in both the collar (where it attaches to the BC fitting) and threads in the metal ring that hold the purge in place — kinda sloppy work. When I disassemble and re-assemble everything, I have to go very very slow with the threaded parts — to avoid cross threading.


Kind of surprising. I suspect ODS is making a number of things for Zeagle (when I bought one of my Zeagle regs, it came with an LP hose with the ODS name on it!). On the other-hand, when I disassemble and reassemble my Zeagle brand power inflator, the threaded parts are much smoother than those of the the H2Odyssey alt air. I'm guessing that when a company is building their own brand name, they ride the manufacturer to ensure the quality of the parts. The HOG regulators are made by ODS — Rich makes a point of explaining how his stuff is built to a higher standard than the ODS football items.

 

[sambolino44]

I had an Air2 on my BCD inflator hose. I really liked it. Now that I actually practice air sharing I'm happier with my current setup, which is primary on a long hose, and secondary on a necklace. It's not that doing a controlled ascent while sharing air on an Air2 is impossible, it's just a hell of a lot harder. Why make it hard on yourself at a time when you'll already be stressed enough?

I hate hoses, too. They make a hose-less computer, why don't they make a hose-less regulator? (in other words, I'M KIDDING!!!!)

One of our local dive shops has BCD-mounted octos on all their rental rigs. These are regular second stages with adapters to fit them to the BCD inflator hoses. I find them clunky and more in the way than extra hoses, myself. But this is America, where we have a thing called FREEDOM! I bet you can find the adapters and hook up a HOG reg this way, who knows, it may work out fine for you.

Good luck, let us know how it turns out!

 

[Thalassamania]

Edge (HOG's sister line) has this:



and this:


But most folks would just get these: