XS Scuba MiFlex Braided Hoses - Brand New to US - Various Sizes and Colors

[CompuDude]

Ok, I had a sec to play with regs (at work again... I did not have a chance to play with them last night).

The weight savings is certainly noticeable, but surprisingly not QUITE as dramatic as it seems when you're holding an individual hose in your hand.

For comparison:

ScubaPro MK25/S600/S555, bungee necklace secondary on 22" rubber LP hose, TDL brass & glass 2.5" SPG on 24" rubber HP hose, SS bolt snaps cave tied to HP hose and 84" Primary reg hose, 22" wing inflator LP hose, ~34" DUI drysuit hose, and Uwatec wireless transmitter:
Total weight: 5 lbs, 5.9 oz.

Atomic M1/Z2 (secondary), bungee necklace secondary on 22" rubber LP hose, Highland brass & glass 2.5" SPG on 24" rubber HP hose, SS bolt snaps cave tied to HP hose and 84" Primary reg hose, 22" wing inflator LP hose, ~34" DUI drysuit hose, and Uwatec wireless transmitter:
Total weight: 5 lbs, 6.1 oz.

(no idea why the Atomics are slightly heavier than the ScubaPros... I would have guessed opposite based on the weight of the second stages, but perhaps the first stage is a bit heavier, and it's a completely different set of rubber hoses, so perhaps combined that accounts for the extra 2 oz.)

Then, the Miflex rig:

Atomic M1/Z2 (secondary), bungee necklace secondary on 22" Miflex LP hose, Highland brass & glass 2.5" SPG on 24" rubber HP hose, SS bolt snaps cave tied to HP hose and 84" Miflex Primary reg hose, 22" wing inflator Miflex LP hose, 32" Miflex drysuit hose, and Uwatec wireless transmitter:
Total weight: 4 lbs, 15.1 oz.

Total Weight shift from moving 4 hoses to Miflex: 7 oz.

Using rounder numbers, it essentially went from 5.5 lbs to 5.0 lbs... so roughly a 10% drop in overall weight. Clearly, the regs themselves comprise the bulk of the weight, so swapping the hoses only goes so far to reduce overall weight.

I'll tell you one thing, though... the regs coil a LOT better into my reg bag now, something that was always just this side of annoying with a slightly-undersized Akona reg bag and a full long hose kit (with DS hose included). The flexibility is great. I look forward to hooking this up to a tank to see how flexible they remain once they're pressurized.

[fkostyun]

Well, I hooked the hoses up to pressure tonight, and wow, I am impressed, I did not notice a ton of difference from unpressurized, to pressurized as far as flexibility is concerned! I took a photo of the hoses with the regulator in the bag. Also note the regulator hose used for the LP inflator hose with the adapter taken from the Sherwood Gemini hose. Now, if they would come out with HP hoses it would be a wonderful thing!

[CompuDude]

Wow, those blue hoses are BRIGHT!

But yes, I agree. The hose definitely straightens a bit (as it should), but they really do remain amazingly flexible even when pressurized. If I was unfamiliar with them in their unpressurized state, and came across a tank with them attached (and on), I would not know the valve was on just by handling the reg hoses, which is pretty easy to tell with rubber hoses.

Here's a shot of the long hose, with small radius coils in it. Very easy to coil the hose like this, hardly any resistance to doing so. Very easy bending! This hose is pressurized in this shot.



And a shot of my regs in the case. You'll note the downward-facing loop from the bottom port on the first stage. That first bend is always the trickiest with a long hose rig, because it only has half the radius of the reg case to loop in. Zero issue with Miflex. And bear in mind just how many hoses there are in here... LP inflator hose, LP secondary reg hose, 32" drysuit hose and 84" primary reg hose (all Miflex), and one rubber 24" HP hose. Compared to before, with rubber hoses, it's kinda eerie how empty this case seems.



So far the only downside (other than cost) has been a need to be a little more careful when burning the ends on the cave knot I used to attach the bolt snap. Don't want to burn the outer cover of the hose! Actually... I think I'll need (want?) a hose hat of some sort for the drysuit hose, since this didn't come with one like the DUI hose does.

[frankc420]

They sure look pretty!

Thanks for the writeups guys!

[PhilEllis]

Got the hoses yesterday, and they look and feel great!!! Even the wife is quite pleased and noticed how much more flexible the hoses are, and looks forward to diving with them. I was able to replace both regulator hoses, and install the hose onto my Sherwood Gemini octo without a problem!!

My "only" complaint is that I wish the "hose crimp" was a tad smoother, but that will be a non-issue if I pick up some hose protectors.

Hi Frank. As I understand it, one of the tests in the EN250 battery of tests adds a requirement that is unique for LP hoses when compared to other standards. The fitting have to pass a rather extreme "pull" test. As a result, the crimp is a pretty serious one.

I know that there has been contact about making the crimp look a little "prettier", but I don't know where that stands or if it is possible.

Glad you got your hoses and I am glad you like them.

Phil Ellis
Discount Scuba Gear at DiveSports.com - Buy Scuba Diving Equipment & Snorkeling Equipment

[reefduffer]

This is starting to look like an attractive upgrade for the price, maybe in a few months, after there's some more evaluation, and the right sizes for me.

A couple of questions come up:

1) How about a 72"? (Yeah, I'm one of those).

2) Clearly this would be a technology shift, but I'd think this would be attractive
for the HP SPG (or in my case AI computer) hose. Is there any discussion of
extending this construction to HP hoses? Or is that manifestly not feasable?

[PhilEllis]

I don't anticipate a 72" hose this year. I do expect some news on the HP hoses before the summer is over. I agree with you that HP hoses will be a hit. Stay tuned.

Phil Ellis
Discount Scuba Gear at DiveSports.com - Buy Scuba Diving Equipment & Snorkeling Equipment

[ClayJar]

Okay, we were supposed to be in the pool tomorrow, but I just found out that we might get to splash tonight. That being the case, I just swapped one onto my primary second stage on my "class" reg. I should be able to comment on at least that.

The flexibility is indeed amazing. You can easily make a loop small enough to fit within the smallest functional loop on the rubber hose.

[paulwall]

I don't anticipate a 72" hose this year. I do expect some news on the HP hoses before the summer is over. I agree with you that HP hoses will be a hit. Stay tuned.

Phil Ellis
Discount Scuba Gear at DiveSports.com - Buy Scuba Diving Equipment & Snorkeling Equipment

I have really wanted a set of matching blue LP and HP hoses for my DIMW rig. Let us know when the HP hoses are available!

Are other colors forthcoming? Say Fuschia? or Pomegranate?

[PhilEllis]

Hey ClayJar......if you get a chance to dive them, make sure you let us know what you think. We have already had about 10 customer phone us after use. All are impressed with the comfort of the hoses. They mostly say there is less pulling of the second stage when they move their heads.

Hey PaulWall........I wouldn't hold my breath for the colors you suggested. For now, it will be the basic black, blue, and yellow. We do expect to be adding a few lengths and adding the blue and yellow to some existing lengths. On the issue of the HP hose, trust me, they are working on this.

Thanks,
Phil Ellis
Discount Scuba Gear at DiveSports.com - Buy Scuba Diving Equipment & Snorkeling Equipment