Some daft Dive gear questions

[Chris W]

Some Great advice here thanks!!!

Regs will probably be XTX50's.......... I'll get the cyinder O2 cleaned as I don't think I'll be that long before I do my Nitrox course........

I think I'll end up going for a shoulder dump and have a play in a puddle to get the settings right ..........


Thanks again and watch out for a post asking for volunteers to help me get the shoulder dump set up

[David Pye]

One other thing:

Get DIN regs in almost every conceivable circumstance. Almost all can be converted, but it'll cost you £50 or so when you realise your mistake.

[PapaBear]

Though there seems to have been enough answers already I'll throw in what little experience I have as well. Have dived with bow shoulder and cuff dumos and when it came round to buying one myself I went for the shoulder dump. I cant say anymore then that I found this to be a personal preference and I do prefer being able to adjust the flow rate on the auto shoulder dumps.

Also I have to agree on the DIN fitting, only ever sued A clamp until I bought my own but have to say I am happier with the DIN

[Chris W]

Thanks again......

One question what's better about the DIN fitting? I've only used A Clamp TBH......

Looks like a shoulder dump is on the cards then - must admit I like the idea of an auto dumo (once I have it set up correctly...)

[Digger]

OK, this is what DIN is about: DIN Scuba Fittings

Just trust me. It's better. You want it. Even if it costs more. Which it doesn't. And you can get an adaptor if it's easier right now, but you still want it. Even if they're holding members of your family and telling you to buy A-clamp and they'll let them go. Honestly.

Digs.

[Chris W]

Originally Posted by Digger

OK, this is what DIN is about: DIN Scuba Fittings

Just trust me. It's better. You want it. Even if it costs more. Which it doesn't. And you can get an adaptor if it's easier right now, but you still want it. Even if they're holding members of your family and telling you to buy A-clamp and they'll let them go. Honestly.

Digs.

Cheers Digger that makes it clearer.........

So DIN is more Reliable then?

[Hellenic Diver]

just compare the two - ok while a clamp may be secure - and would take a fair old bang to knock it off the valve - there is no way a din first stage is going to become seperated.

din is also suitable for upto 300 bar, compared to A clamps 232 - that on its own should tell you something about the engineering differences between the two methods.

I beleive (although I've never encountered it) that its possible for a O Ring to blow on an A clamp while in use - where a Din is much more secure. As the O ring is contained within the Reg rather than cylinder valve - your much less likely to lose a O ring full stop on a Din.

The only advantage I can thing to A clamp is the attached Dustcap.......

[EdHornby]

it's true about the Orings on DIN being less likely to blow...

On an A clamp, the reg face pushes against the ring itself and the A clamp holds it tight, whereas the DIN fitting screws the body of the reg onto the tank valve, which is much more secure as the Oring is captured within the system

also with the DIN regs, when on holiday you are using the Oring from your regs not the ones supplied in their tanks so it's a valuable bit of gear that you have control over the quality of.

[Chris W]

Thanks for this!!!

I'll have a look at some DIN kit at my LDS - when I get chance........ my only concern is having DIN regs when I go abroad on my jollies as I've never seen DIN kit in a dive centre abroad.

I'm arranging a play with a shoulder dump dry suit as well to see if we will get on - that should be fun.....

[dlegros]

You are normally OK for DIN valves, except in places frequented by septics. In the Red Sea I've never had a problem - In the Caribbean, things weren't so good - luckily I hadn't converted to DIN then!