That was exactly one of the reasons I was asking. I remembered something about that. I do have a little concern about adding an "extra point of failure", but it sounds like a pretty streamline setup. I noticed there is one at DR Express. Is this a DR accessory? If so, how does that compare tot he Zeagle? Thanks again for the info.
If you are talking about the "Second Stage Right-Angle Swivel"
here, I don't believe that's actually a DR part (Mark at
DRE sells some selected non-DR stuff where there is no DR equivalent). Based on the picture and the price ($55) my educated guess is that is the Kirby Morgan 90° version that I had once. The KM is fine, IIRC its actually a part that originally was made for their full face mask. I just like the Zeagle design a little better (and its +/- half the price of the KM). YMMV.
As for failure point... Your second stage already has a swivel that allows the mouthpiece to pivot up or down, with a 90° swivel elbow you are adding a second, almost identical pivot left or right. The Zeagle or KM is easily as secure as the internal pivot every second stage has, and yet you
are adding one more o-ring... However, that 90° is really almost mandatory to be able to comfortably route the primary reg under your right arm and have the backup reg bungeed under your chin. IMO it beats the primary/octopus configuration by a mile.
In the end I'm torn on the subject. A buddy and I both used the 90° swivel elbows for the better part of a year. After learning s-drills (DIR) I didn't think the elbow was the best solution for the type of diving that I was working towards. I now mostly use the long hose with a bungeed backup instead, though ironically I did break out the 40"/90° swivel elbow gearing up for a OW-type dive last weekend (that ultimately didn't happen).
Check my gallery, I have a couple of pics of the Zeagle elbow, one on a 40" with an Apeks reg and one with just the elbow and hose. Either the Zeagle 90° or the KM would work fine with that DR Hurricane reg.
HTH
John
