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IF you go this route remember to pack your old inflator, hose and your old 2nd. Mine got broken by TSA pulling it out of the bag and the liveaboard didn’t have any extra. I had to rent a BC and 2nd for the trip :(
There are some 2nd’s that go inline with your existing inflator on the same hose, just remember to check hose length, mine was too short for me to look to the right.
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You are opening a very hot topic. Personally, I have used the Air2 for many years. It works great. Many will scream that they are unsafe. Everybody has an opinion......I, too went the minimalist route for a little while but eventually I added a Scuba Pro Plus2 back to my rig to give myself a little more redundancy in the computer area. I use the VT3 on my wrist.
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Right now I am still up in the air but, I am in between getting a breathable inflator or jsut down sizing to a smaller octo. Mine just seems hugh it bugged me all week in the Caymans. I am thinking of using a Sherwood minimus octo too. It seems like a nice octo, small and out of the way.
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Both I and my wife use Octo/inflators. My wife uses the Sherwood Gemini exclusively and I switch between it and an Aquatec Air 3.
I have tried others but none that breath better than the Gemini some breath as well but I like the layout of it and find it very easy in use. My Aquatec adds in the extra feature of a built in Sub-duck.(Noise maker) It didn’t breath near as well until I rebuilt it myself and carefully adjusted it to attain better performance.
Early production of the Gemini did have some problems that have long since been addressed.
As for the issues that some divers report in using an integrated octo:
1) you must practice controlling buoyancy while breathing on it. There are options depending on the BCD it is used with. I have found that no matter the BCD or wing there is always a lower dump valve to use to purge air if need be. Others use the pull dump on the shoulder but not every BCD has this available. Finally it is possible to use the buttons on the integrated octo while breathing on it you need to half press the deflate button while slowly and gently exhaling save enough air in you lungs to clear when you release the button or use the power purge. This last method requires the greatest amount of skill and practice since timing of the breathing and control of the button can be critical.
2) You may need a longer corrigated BCD hose on you configuration.
3) if you are heading towards certain specialty diving the specialty requires the use of a standard Octo and/or long hose
I personally prefer a 5’ primary hose with the integrated octo it allows each diver more space since the primary is a donor during a Out of Air incident with a integrated. Be sure the BCD hose length is comfortable for you since it is what you’ll be using during an incident. I’d also suggest occasionally switching to your Integrated Octo at depth and breathing from it so you are familiar with it’s feel and not surprised during and incident.
For Standard Recreational Diving niether a integrated octo or standard type is better it is a matter of personal preference. I tend to agree with the streamlined no dangling school of thought. For this reason I dive an Air Integrated wireless computer and the Integrated Octo and don’t have to worry if a console or octo has come loose and is dragging through sensitive underwater environments.
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From RAWalker:
My Aquatec adds in the extra feature of a built in Sub-duck.(Noise maker) It didn’t breath near as well until I rebuilt it myself and carefully adjusted it to attain better performance.
As for the issues that some divers report in using an integrated octo:
1) you must practice controlling buoyancy while breathing on it. There are options depending on the BCD it is used with. I have found that no matter the BCD or wing there is always a lower dump valve to use to purge air if need be. Others use the pull dump on the shoulder but not every BCD has this available. Finally it is possible to use the buttons on the integrated octo while breathing on it you need to half press the deflate button while slowly and gently exhaling save enough air in you lungs to clear when you release the button or use the power purge. This last method requires the greatest amount of skill and practice since timing of the breathing and control of the button can be critical.
I personally prefer a 5’ primary hose with the integrated octo it allows each diver more space since the primary is a donor during a Out of Air incident with a integrated. Be sure the BCD hose length is comfortable for you since it is what you’ll be using during an incident. I’d also suggest occasionally switching to your Integrated Octo at depth and breathing from it so you are familiar with it’s feel and not surprised during and incident.
I had an Aquatec and while in Utila the subduck stuck on while setting up the rig and yes the Captain can hear it over the sound of the motor. I was unable to get rebuild parts for it and it ended up in the trash.
With any combo inflator the OOA diver gets your 1st. so practice this with your buddy lest they take your inflator and drag you too the surface.
Since I do wrecks and swim thru’s I went with a 7’ hose so I can lead or follow in tight spaces.
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From LatitudeAdjustment:
I had an Aquatec and while in Utila the subduck stuck on while setting up the rig and yes the Captain can hear it over the sound of the motor. I was unable to get rebuild parts for it and it ended up in the trash.
I was able to call Aquatec directly in California and get a parts kit to rebuild it. As for your problem with the subduck. The valving for both the subduck and the inflator use a standard shrader valve core available at any autoparts store. The O-rings are all standard Buna types, the springs although included in the rebuild kit, done typically need replacement unless the user doesn’t rinse the unit properly. The only replacement part from the kit that would be eventually needed would be the rubber BCD purge seat. I consider it a shame you tossed the integrated Octo for a commonly available part but I guess both you and your LDS were not aware or maybe your LDS saw an opportuninty to make a sale on a new octo.
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Thank you all for the information. I have decided to go with a smaller octo like a minimus or something caomparable. Thank you all so much
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I use a sherwood in line octo & love having it out of the way. If your teaching (working) I wouldn’t recomend it
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MDW - 1/05/2012 9:55 AM 
OK, now that everyone has beaten the AIR2 topic to death, let’s talk streamlining.
Regardless what you decide about inflater & 2nd stage, the following will do a lot more for streamlining that that ever could:
- Hose routing - route hoses down from 1st stage, not flailing out to both sides. Consider 90 deg fittings at the 2nd stage end to keep them in tight.
- Lose all the dangly stuff - put all that stuff you’re tempted to clip all over your BC in a pocket. Clip what does need to be clipped to your butt D ring (if you don’t have one, you should) to keep it from flopping around below your body.
- Learn to swim in proper streamlined trim - that’s horizontal, especially into current
- Lose the extra weight - breathe all the way out and you may be surprised that you don’t really need that last 4 to 6 lb of lead.
- Lose the other extra weight - streamline your body. Less diameter means less hydrodynamic resistance when swimming. Also, fat floats, so the less fat you have the less lead you’ll need.
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MDW - While I agree with the rest of your points regarding streamlining. I don’t believe we have beaten the integrated octo topic to death as it eliminates an extra hose and removes the posibility of an Octo dangling or tangle with environment.
Also consideration as to the need to deploy your primary second stage to an OOA buddy may inhibit the choice of 90 deg fittings. This isn’t to say a 90 couldn’t be used but swivel fittings and long hose may also serve well.
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