Out of all the underwater horns I've own, this is by far the best. I volunteer a lot to assist instructing Scuba Diving Classes, and the underwater horn will get the attention of everyone underwater for about 20 - 25 feet. If you surface too far away from the boat, not a problem, the horn works in the surface as well, and unlike some of the inline horns, this one works every time.
The best thing I like about it is that it is part of your inflator set up, which it means no swinging parts aro...und your BCD hose or any added bulky parts to your gear.
The Scub-Alert Power Inflator is a BCD power inflator that has a built in air-powered horn. This built in horn surpasses the performance of the "in-line" type of underwater horn. The large housing provides a bigger box for the sound to resonate and produce a louder sound. This horn works both underwater and on the surface. This combination device eliminates the extra length that Aquatec's in-line Scub-Alert adds to your L/P inflator hose configuration for a more compact device. The Inflator-Alert is the perfect power inflator for divers that want to have the benefit of an underwater horn without the added "bulk" of a separate Scub-Alert. Comfortable mouthpiece for easy oral inflation Great ergonomic design allows access to all three functions: inflate, deflate, and horn with one hand grip!
Standard Power Inflator with built-in Underwater horn, can be used to retrofit most BCD's. The inflator is equipped with a steel pin to accommodate your inflator hose cable activated pull dump mechanism. Uses standard LP inflator hose and 1" (2.54 cm) corrugated BCD hose. The Aquatec Scub-Alert Power Inflator is made from durable plastic and chrome plated marine grade brass for years of reliable service. The device has an approximate volume of 115 to 125 dB and the loud resonating frequency generated by this horn can be heard on the surface approximately 0.5 to 1.0 miles (1 to 1.6 km) away.
LING W
Lots of people recommend against buying this. My question is, if the product becomes bad, does the basic part (power inflator & air release) still functional normally? Or is that part unreliable also?
WAYNE G
The blue button which operates the air alert is susceptible to easy breakage. When it gets caught on gear, it breaks off and the alert no longer works. As for the yellow button, that is to operate inflation and it is reliable. But why buy it if the alert side of the device is unreliable. You can use your stock inflator.
LING W
Wife's stock inflator has a very slow leak, and instead of buying a replacement for $40, this one is only $5 more. I probably could put silicone tape or some other tape over the button so the edge of the button can't get caught.
WAYNE G
You may not have issues in your use. I dive in a very rugged environment spearfishing in 90-150 feet and engage large fish up next to me. My bands get hung up on these along with fishing lines on deep wrecks. Good luck
SCOTT B
I do not work for the manufacturer and please accept this as the opinion of a buyer.
The core functionality - power inflator and manual inflator will still function if the audible alarm component fails. The air is diverted to the audible component via the blue button on the associated image and does not gate the airflow when the power inflator button is depressed.
Regarding the recommendations against: from my experience, I can share that the angle of the mouth piece for manual inflation makes the task awkward and problematic. Also, the position of the audible port causes the piece to rise of your BCD. Lastly, I use this on my pool BCD for student instruction and on more than one occasion during "equipment remove and replace", the inflator hose was hit resulting in an audible busy from the device. Aside from those items, it works just fine for what I need it to do.
Would I buy it again? No, but that is because my needs have changed since the original purchase.
Would I recommend it? Not likely. Instead I'd recommend a regular low pressure inflator replacement and a separate underwater audible signal and/or surface signal. The unique nature of this device could be confusing during self and buddy rescueb situations where bouyancy must be dealt with.
Regards
Scott Baker
LING W
thanks for the info. my current inflator has a slow leak, and it is also angled like this one, thus this being a replacement seemed like a good idea. Regarding getting confused, I presume that's something one has to get use to. In emerg situations, I've always used fin power to control my buoyancy and ascends in order to avoid having to play around with buoyancy of my bc, and if I do have to, it is almost always pressing the purge button, which is always in a standard location.
Shopper
Hi there
I use cressi aero fcs bcd. So it doesnt have standart infilator. Can I use this product with my BCD? thanks
THOMAS P
Mine has leaked badly from Day 1 and now sits in a drawer. The connector will fit regular hoses, but it cannot be removed from the inflator because it is proprietary. I would recommend against buying this item.
LING W
I noticed this unit has a screw next to the purge valve, on the opposite side of the oral inflator. Does that unscrew so one can connect an octo to it? Is it a standard low pressure thread?
On their website, they show an octo attached to it.
SAL D
Not sure what you mean "can connect an octo to it?". This unit replaces the oral inflator unit. You need to check to make sure that the size of both hoses are compatible with your model BCD. This unit is not a replacement for an octo, nor does it serve as an alternate air source. It simply adds the air-horn without being an "in-line" attachment, nothing else.
LING W
Yes, I know it replaces the power inflator, but on the mfg's website, they have an octo attached to the end of the power inflator. Looks like they rigged a Sherwood Mininus octo onto it. I can't post the link, but if you altavista "PI-230 RG-6000L" on the interweb, it will lead you to their website and you can see the 2 units attached together
SAL D
Then you need to go to the manufacturer, but why would you want to do that?
Keep your octo.
We put 7' hoses on the octo for dive leaders. If you ever had to share air when using an alternate air source integrated into the power inflator you would understand why.
We have this unit on one of our personal regs, but I don't bother because it uses up air, so I use a rattle instead.
But understand that on the surface nothing works if you are more than a half mile from the boat. Been left on the open ocean and rescued after almost 4 hours adrift. So I do not bother with the air horn, I now always carry: mirror, whistle, dye marker, 9' sausage, reel, Lifeline marine radio.
Shopper
Sirs:
Will this work on a Mares Hybrid BC?
How about a Cressi Travellight BCD?
Thanks,
WAYNE G
Do not buy this product. After the last one I bought from LP, I contacted Aquatec to replace it due to a defect with the horn button. They agreed to send me a replacement free but after 2 attempts in contacting them, I never got the replacement. This unit broke 7 months and was less than 2 years old. I only contacted the manufacturer but not LP. Thank you.
PAUL W
Don't know. I use a DUI BC weekly. The horn and inflator still work fine.
CLAYTON L
It will work on any BC with standard hose inflator. However, I recommend taking to a shop to have it installed.