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All that said, on a stage I prefer a very accurate conventional SPG on a 6" or 7" hose since the turn pressure matters and accuracy and discrimination count. ... On a deco bottle, I'd argue you don't need one at all. ... On the other hand if you feel you have to have one on a deco bottle, it makes more sense to have a button gauge.
DIR divers do not distinguish between "stage" and "deco" regs. We just have "stage regs", which are interchangeable between either type of bottle and are not dedicated to any particular purpose. So from that standpoint, your argument that "it makes more sense to have a button gauge on a deco bottle" is specious, at least from the DIR standpoint. In our view, there is no such thing as a "deco reg". They are all "stage regs", and they are all configured the same way (with a standard SPG on a 6" hose).
And as Sloth pointed out, the ability to purge-check that you are breathing the right gas is very useful, particularly when you are managing multiple bottles. So from that standpoint, there is actually some value to using a larger gauge face on a [sic] deco reg (besides the obvious one of equipment interchangeability).
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The one that the OP posted looks to me to be a standard "button" gage that are pretty tiny and hard to read ... What about the new larger 1" gage size ones like this ...
For all the reasons mentioned above (by people who actually utilize the DIR philosophy in their diving), button gauges are not DIR - no matter how new, large, or readable they are.
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For all the reasons mentioned above (by people who actually utilize the DIR philosophy in their diving), button gauges are not DIR - no matter how new, large, or readable they are.
I think you should have stopped at your previous post, this one smacks of "itŽ´s DIR, take it or leave it"...thatŽ´s not really an answer any "thinking diver" should settle for...just saying...
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It's not plain in your answer (no matter how big or readable they are)
... it's not the gage size that matters, it's the fact that it's attached to the valve with no hose, that is the problem?
I guess 1' gages on a hose are not, but are 2" instead of 2.5" gages on a hose OK?
I can't speak if it's DIR or not, but they are very hard to read at most depths. It ok to see what's left in the cylinder, but not reliable during use. I'm considering upgrading mine during the off season.
It's not plain in your answer (no matter how big or readable they are)
... it's not the gage size that matters, it's the fact that it's attached to the valve with no hose, that is the problem?
I guess 1' gages on a hose are not, but are 2" instead of 2.5" gages on a hose OK?
For me that would be a problem, yes. The HP port on many regs does not face my eye. I can turn a standard gauge on its 6" hose to face my eye regardless of how the bottle is riding. If I have an AL80 full of EANx its going to ride way different full from empty and at various times the gauge will not be readable or I'll have to horse the bottle around to do so (even if it were "full-sized").
The fact that HP hoses basically don't fail and spindle oring failures only lose a modest amount of gas means that the "failure" of a traditional gauge on a 6" hose is really not much of a failure at all. Messed up accuracy and/or readability are much greater problems. Button gauges create those problems and don't solve/avoid any substantive issues with conventional gauges.
I think you should have stopped at your previous post, this one smacks of "itŽ´s DIR, take it or leave it"...thatŽ´s not really an answer any "thinking diver" should settle for...just saying...
This kind of lecturing is really something that does not belong to this forum according to its policy. OP's question was answered several times, answers were additionally explained with reasoning and arguments. Do we have to apologize if someone is not willing to accept the answer? I really don't understand ... If that's expected then ok, I apologize but button gauges are not and will never be DIR because all before mentioned reasons.
For me that would be a problem, yes. The HP port on many regs does not face my eye. I can turn a standard gauge on its 6" hose to face my eye regardless of how the bottle is riding. If I have an AL80 full of EANx its going to ride way different full from empty and at various times the gauge will not be readable or I'll have to horse the bottle around to do so (even if it were "full-sized").
The fact that HP hoses basically don't fail and spindle oring failures only lose a modest amount of gas means that the "failure" of a traditional gauge on a 6" hose is really not much of a failure at all. Messed up accuracy and/or readability are much greater problems. Button gauges create those problems and don't solve/avoid any substantive issues with conventional gauges.
This kind of lecturing is really something that does not belong to this forum according to its policy. OP's question was answered several times, answers were additionally explained with reasoning and arguments. Do we have to apologize if someone is not willing to accept the answer? I really don't understand ... If that's expected then ok, I apologize but button gauges are not and will never be DIR because all before mentioned reasons.
I second what MonkSeal says
Why are we apoligizing for providing a DIR answer in a DIR forum.........several times? I spend hours of time to explain something to someone, however at a certain point, even my patience runs out. They asked a DIR question in a DIR forum. They received several DIR answers, complete with reasoning, etc. They still didn't accept the answer. What more is there to say? Not everyone will accept the DIR approach. No big deal. Move on. But I certainly don't feel the need to be apologetic for providing an answer they didn't accept.
And as Sloth pointed out, the ability to purge-check that you are breathing the right gas is very useful, particularly when you are managing multiple bottles. So from that standpoint, there is actually some value to using a larger gauge face on a [sic] deco reg (besides the obvious one of equipment interchangeability).
I just about forgot about this part. Good thinking. The interuption of gas flow as verified by the drop in pressure on the SPG is as important a part of the gas switch as identifying the bottle and part of the entire gas switch.
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Originally Posted by DA Aquamaster
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