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Devices that combined a safe-second regulator (octopus) and the power inflator to the BCD have been around for some time being widely accepted as a way to eliminate at least one hose and device from the regulator assembly.
Many divers also now dive with a signaling horn for emergency signaling on the surface. Some dive operations even require the use of these devices. So add another device to your regulator assembly.
On the surface the horn sounds much like a very loud duck call. While not quite as loud and piercing as other air horns, the volume of this horn is certainly loud enough to get the attention of somebody from several hundreds of yards away. Underwater the sound is different and more subdued but loud enough to get the attention of a buddy that has wandered off. Underwater the sound quality is more that of a metallic rattle, like an engine with a very bad ping. And the horn requires very little air to operate.
Other than the fact that so many useful devices have bee n combined into one ergonomic and easy to use unit, perhaps what impressed me most about the Air-3 is it's solid construction. The housing is high strength reinforced plastic polymer which provides durability without extra weight.
Adding it to your BCD is simple and takes only a few minutes. It fits nearly all BCDs. The corrugated hose on the BCD must be 1 inch, pretty much standard for most BCDs. The air supply hose from the first stage is larger than standard inflator hoses but is included.
Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Mesa Arizona on 8/30/2009
Comments about Aquatec Aquatec Alternate regulator, Inflator, with Sub Alert unit (Air-3):
Breaths more than well enough to safely surface with your buddy on your primary second stage.
The sounder isn't the loudest available for surface use but will out range most whistles. Underwater the unique qwack sound does give some sense of direction when not using a hood.
The biggest problem in using this product may be in getting it serviced regularly. My LDS did get the parts but it took multiple attempts to make it function properly after it was rebuilt. It was working properly when it was brought in for service.
Aquatec is an up and coming manufacturer between this product and their LED flashlight I beleive it is time for more shops to recognize them, stock and service their products
Comments about Aquatec Aquatec Alternate regulator, Inflator, with Sub Alert unit (Air-3):
I purchased this regulator two years ago from Leisurepro, and have approx. 75 dives on it from diving the Keys to N.E. Atlantic. It works well breaths easy, and have no hesitation to use it for my regular recreational dives. However, if I was doing deep or technical dives I wouldn't use it.
from Seattle on 10/2/2008
Comments about Aquatec Aquatec Alternate regulator, Inflator, with Sub Alert unit (Air-3):
I bought this from LeisurePro about a year ago. I've done about 20 recreational dives on it. Seems to work pretty well. A couple of issues I've encountered though are:
1. My local scuba shop won't rebuild it. They can't get the parts.
2. The horn button and the bc deflate button are easily confused and I often quack the horn when I mean to deflate my bc.
3. When rinsing or soaking in freshwater after a dive, you need to keep the inflator/breathing hose connected or you will get water in the regulator.
4. No adjustment for breathing difficulty. It can free flow often. Especially if it's overdue for an overhaul since you can't get parts.
Right now I've removed it from my rig and I'm just diving with a spare air and a regular BC inflator until I can get it serviced. Overall It's a decent product with a lot of useful features at a fair price.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Monterey, CA on 5/15/2008
Comments about Aquatec Aquatec Alternate regulator, Inflator, with Sub Alert unit (Air-3):
Great way to minimize hoses. The signaling device is a great bonus!
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Chesapeake Bay, Virginia on 10/26/2007
Comments about Aquatec Aquatec Alternate regulator, Inflator, with Sub Alert unit (Air-3):
Used in deep wreck diving...one on my diverite and one on my scubapro. It's an "All In One"
and the signaling device is nice and loud. We like to eliminate any extra hoses and other gadgets as much as possible. It's three in one convenient package. A little heavier than most in-line octo's, but it's worth it to reduce bulk. Breathes quit well at 130'.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Gig Harbor, WA on 9/4/2007
Comments about Aquatec Aquatec Alternate regulator, Inflator, with Sub Alert unit (Air-3):
easy to install. needed a new quick air release cable as the retainer pin was in a slightly different postion from what I replaced
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Caracas, Venezuela on 7/31/2007
Comments about Aquatec Aquatec Alternate regulator, Inflator, with Sub Alert unit (Air-3):
it's very confortable if you have trasmiter you only have two hoses...
Tags: Using Product
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Aquatec Aquatec Alternate regulator, Inflator, with Sub Alert unit (Air-3):
Needs to be purged before breathing through,seems to retain water inside.
Comments about Aquatec Aquatec Alternate regulator, Inflator, with Sub Alert unit (Air-3):
I have a friend that uses this and he complains about a gurgle of water in the mouth-it still fills up a bit even after a purge. As far as the surface signal goes a [...]cent B.C.whistle is louder. Underwater this thing sounds like a omnidirectional seal fart. Seriously, drop into a low vis situation and you can hear the fart but it is just as easy to signal with a knife rap on your tank or pull the reg out and yell out. I use an [...] that is similar to this but without the gurgle farts-I would suggest any semi regular diver find an option that uses your B.C. control as an alternate air source so you can drop that pesky hanging octo hose-please also give yourself a simple training that when it comes to buddy breathing you stick your reg in buddy's mouth and stick B.C. control in yours. Happy diving
Comments about Aquatec Aquatec Alternate regulator, Inflator, with Sub Alert unit (Air-3):
One caveat before I start, I have dove only once with it, so these are my first impressions.
The AQUA3 lacks nothing for features. Seems well built, good materials and top notch connections used. It does everything a recreational diver needs; from alternate air source, to surface and below surface signaling, to BC inflater/deflater. Also, the 1 inch hose size fit the stock Dive Rite BC hose perfectly.
Only one problem, it does not seem to clear completely, so some water seems to remain and breathing must be guarded if regulator is used. Will it get me to the surface if needed? Yes.
I'll keep it and I have one less hose hanging off my First Stage!