Seaquest / Aqualung Airsource 3

[whitenoise]

Does anyone use Sequest/Aqualungs new integrated octo, the Airsource 3? I've tried a number of ways to stow my Oceanic Alpha 8 octo, but none of them seem ideal. It just seems that octos are meant to get in the way! Been reading the various threads here and on other forums regarding the pros and cons of intergrated octos, and haven't quite made up my mind. I do know that I need something though!

Looking at the specs of the Airsource it looks good, ticks all the boxes, and seemingly has come clever stuff to fix the common intergrated negatives. It's not actually available in the UK until after March (but is available in the US) so just wanted to get the impressions of anyone who has used one?

I should add that I have the Seaquest Pro QD BC, as I think some intergrated octos won't fit on this jacket, eg the Atomic SS1. Do you need to have the same brand octo as the jacket? Although saying that the Airsource does seem pretty cool anyway.

Cheers

[SHAGGY]

I also have the Seaquest Pro QD BCD, but I have the airsource2, and I'm not at all impressed with it, but it was a free add on at the time when I bought my BCD. I've read a few articles about the airsource3 and it appears to be better than the airsource2. I'm not really sure if you can use a different brand Octo/inflator on the Pro QD or not but if you replace the hose as well,....then it shouldnt be a problem. I'm using a Tusa Duo Air IR3 octo/inflator on my Riptide Zone BCD and I like it much better than the airsource2. I saw you other post about you looking at the SS1, and I think if you can get it to work with the Pro QD that you will be much happier with it.

shaggy

[whitenoise]

Hi Shaggy thanks for the response. What articles have you seen on the airsource 3?

I'm off to the Red Sea next month and so wanted to sort something out before then. Looks like the Airsource 3 won't clear the necessary UK red tape before then, so I was looking at the Atomic SS1. However that looks like a right PITA to connect to my Seaquest, so might just have to wait until the Airsource is available. I guess I'll just have to put up with my octo on my trip.

[rfreddo]

The March issue of Scuba Diving has a favorable review of the 3.

[whitenoise]

Thanks for the info rfreddo. I subscribe to the magazine, but being an international member my copies are always somewhat delayed. Don't suppose you can remember what they said about it?

[SHAGGY]

The March, 08 issue basically stated that they did not have a chance to put it on a breathing simulator but that they dove with it and compared it to some top quality octo/inflator regs that they were also diving with and it won hands down. On the Airsource3, the low pressure is permanently attached, and also has a pretty nifty way that it seperates for cleaning and storage. In my opinion,... the best feature is that the inflate/deflate buttons are better locoated than on the airsource2. I prefer the inflate/deflate buttons to be on the same side like on the Airsource3. Thats the main reason as why I prefer my Tusa Duo Air IR3 over the airsource2.


shaggy

[rfreddo]

Only thing to add to Shaggy's comment is that the mag also indicated that the pull dump feature looks to be improved with the new version.

[whitenoise]

Many thanks SHAGGY and rfreddo - you are legends Based on this information, I'm probably going to wait until the Airsource 3 comes out here and get that. It means no playing around with hoses to fit the Atomic. Performance wise it may be worse, the same or better, but as long as it's half-decent (which the article seems to suggest) then things should be ok.

Just one other thing, how does that work if the low pressure hose is permanently attached? Surely that means the regs have to be permanently attached to the BC - or do we have our wires crossed?!

[rfreddo]

The discription isn't all too clear, but it looks like the lp hose and the corrogated hose both separate from the BC about halfway up the length of the corrogated hose.

[whitenoise]

That's what I thought. Thanks again for the info.