Second stage suggestions

[wormil]

Hi, I just purchased an Hvalve and I found a DIN 1st stage that I am planning to purchase tomorrow.

My primary regulator is a Mares abyss 22, so i don't really feel that I need anything too fancy for my backup, just something that works and works well but isn't a burden on my check book.

I plan on giving an old aqualung 2nd stage a go, but would feel a bit more comfortable with a newer 2nd stage. Any suggestions are welcome.

I found a Dive Rite RG2010 for a decent price and an OMS Workhorse 2nd Stage also at a good price. I seem to be having a hard time just finding second stages sold by themselves, other than octos.

Maybe I'm missing something, but based on use (I decided to try my octo while diving in 10 feet of water), my octo sucks. I'd like to avoid buying another expensive piece of useless stuff.

[wormil]

Oh and from anyone using an Hvalve (yvalve) setup, how silly am I going to look diving my abyss 22 with octo, bcd inflator and spg attached to it, and another first stage with a 2nd stage attached?

Any drawbacks to this besides an extra hose? I only have one tank so far, so I'll have to rent/borrow another one until I can afford a second tank and hvalve.

[Splitlip]

A lot of people dive H-Valves with only a 1 first stage. I have modular valves with the h-valve sonnector, but have not yet added a second valve. Nothing silly about it.

Only thing with a Y valve; it helps when 1 first stage fails, but you will not be able to shut down gas to the failed first stage.

[wormil]

Hrm, I was actually going to have 2 first stages on it. just one setup for diving a regular valve as well and one setup as a a first and second stage only...Until i buy another tank and hvalve.

[wormil]

In searching, i found an oxycheq high performance regulator for under $100 and an OMS workhorse for under $100.

Now I'm totally confused. From another post it appears that many manufacturers have the same regs :/

[Black-Gorrilla]

I believe tha the OMS is one of these "china" regs that's just been re branded by them... as well as a feel others. (not 100% sure)

[Landlocked Amphibian]

Originally Posted by wormil

Hi, I just purchased an Hvalve and I found a DIN 1st stage that I am planning to purchase tomorrow.

My primary regulator is a Mares abyss 22, so i don't really feel that I need anything too fancy for my backup, just something that works and works well but isn't a burden on my check book.

I plan on giving an old aqualung 2nd stage a go, but would feel a bit more comfortable with a newer 2nd stage. Any suggestions are welcome.

I found a Dive Rite RG2010 for a decent price and an OMS Workhorse 2nd Stage also at a good price. I seem to be having a hard time just finding second stages sold by themselves, other than octos.

Maybe I'm missing something, but based on use (I decided to try my octo while diving in 10 feet of water), my octo sucks. I'd like to avoid buying another expensive piece of useless stuff.

How old is the aqualung, and do you already own it? If you already own it and it isn't in horrible condition, just have it checked and serviced and it should be fine. There are a lot of people who dive old regulators and they work just fine. If you have used it and don't like it, that is a different story.

[wormil]

Originally Posted by Landlocked Amphibian

How old is the aqualung, and do you already own it? If you already own it and it isn't in horrible condition, just have it checked and serviced and it should be fine. There are a lot of people who dive old regulators and they work just fine. If you have used it and don't like it, that is a different story.

I haven't tried it, I got the first stage today, when I get back next week, I'll give it a shot. If it works, huzzah. If it doesn't, I'll figure something out.

[DMWiz]

WORMIL!!!

Have you bought anything yet? You may want to talk to Laura over at 123Scuba you can probably stop by her warehouse and pick up all you need for under $100.

[in_cavediver]

OK - STOP and step back from the cash register

For a true H valve setup, you need (2) first stage regulators and (2) 2nd stage regulators. You do not use (3) 2nd stages.

So - to start with, setup your primary 1st stage with your primary 2nd stage and BCD inflator. Setup your second 1st stage with the octo, SPG and drysuit inflator if you have it. Now you are set

If you want to upgrade the octo - I'd recommend getting a new 2nd stage that matches your primary 2nd stage. They don't cost that much more than an octo and they breathe better.