As I am just moving up to doubles this thread has been particularly timely.
My tech instructor is a world class diver, published author, big dives... Doria, cave exploration, etc.
While advocating flexibility in choosing various configurations under different circumstances, I was surprised to learn his personal preference. He dives manifolded doubles but with the isolator CLOSED, diving them as independent doubles.
His vast experience notwithstanding, this sounded kind of nuts to me, simply because I had never heard of the practice in my fairly extensive reading. After following this discussion, it actually now seems like a way to reap the benefits of both systems.
Half the gas is saved as the default, no action required. But all the gas can be accessed in the event of the far more probable regulator failure.
Has anyone else heard of this? What do you think about it?
Avra