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Post by JES on Jun 25, 2014 16:54:21 GMT -8
I must apologize in advance for the picture quality (because it doesn't begin to do the Argonaut Kraken justice), but I wanted to share this impressive regulator with everyone. It is absolutely stunning in person, and every single detail is of the highest quality!  I want to also say thank you to Bryan, Louis, and Herman for their efforts and dedication and thank you to everyone else who contributed to the development and testing of the Argonaut Kraken. |
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Post by surflung on Jun 26, 2014 6:07:16 GMT -8
- I'm glad somebody posted here about the Argonaut... It is a very significant advancement of not only double hose regulators... But, modern diving regulators over-all.
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Post by JES on Jun 26, 2014 20:04:38 GMT -8
- I'm glad somebody posted here about the Argonaut... It is a very significant advancement of not only double hose regulators... But, modern diving regulators over-all. It is without question the most technologically advanced double hose regulator ever brought to market.  As quoted by Luis (the engineer who designed it): |
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Post by SeaRat on Jun 26, 2014 20:19:11 GMT -8
I'm happy to see the vintage double hose, two stage design updated for modern use. Thanks Joe of posting it.
John
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Post by herman on Jun 27, 2014 2:23:44 GMT -8
As part of the design team, I likely have more hours under water with one of the early prototype verions other than maybe Luis. Over the last 2 years, mine has been to 130 ft on several occasions, 100ft a number of times and actual bottom time of at least 220+ hours, all without any issues. It has been my primary reg on 4 trips to Bonaire and 2 to Cozumel where it was dove day after day with nothing but a good rinse each day. It has worked flawlessly, it has yet to be dissambled and shows no signs of needing attention. Like any DH reg it is position dependent and it still have all the quirks of any DH design but it also can hold it's own with any single hose sold today. I think the new owners will be very happy with the reg.
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Post by surflung on Jun 27, 2014 6:22:43 GMT -8
- I own the early prototype that was tested by SwimJim: With Herman in Cozumel, last Fall in the cold and icy waters of Lake Michigan, and last winter under the ice at Fortune Pond. I recently dove it vintage style down to 119 feet in Lake Wazee, WI... It was consistently easy breathing and reliable. Very nice.
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Post by rhwestfall on Jun 27, 2014 10:26:00 GMT -8
by mid-week (next Wednesday afternoon)I hopefully will have logged my first dive on one.....
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Post by surflung on Jun 27, 2014 12:28:54 GMT -8
An Historical Milestone...
NIB - "New In The Box" - Double Hose Regulators - It has been decades since double hose regulators were freshly produced and "New-in-the-Box". I just received this Brand New Argonaut Kraken and thought I would share the first view I got of it... Still new in the box. - YES The Hoses Are RED! Upper left is the removable yoke. In the center, the body is enclosed in a protective black neoprene case (Note the red rubber yoke thread protector sticking up out of the center). Upper right looks like key chains and decals. Not shown are certificates and T-Shirt which were packed on top.
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Post by luis on Jun 27, 2014 18:09:59 GMT -8
Thanks for the comments.
I was diving one of the first 4 prototypes today.
What a great dive. We dove at Nubble light. It is a beautiful spot, the visibility was very decent and there was lots of marine life. The water temperature has gone up to 57F.
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Post by SeaRat on Jun 28, 2014 17:32:25 GMT -8
Luis, I'm envious as it has been raining here pretty hard this week, so the Clackamas River is out-of-shape for diving right now. Maybe in another week I can get wet in open water.
John
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Post by Seahuntjerry on Jun 28, 2014 17:37:27 GMT -8
Thanks again to everyone who helped produce this!
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Post by surflung on Jun 30, 2014 5:18:31 GMT -8
- It's interesting to look back on the developments that lead up to the totally new production Argonaut regulator. I came into Vintage diving in early 2011 and saw the Phoenix first stage upgrade for DA Aqua Masters.
- I don't know all of the developments in vintage equipment that contributed to the Argonaut design BUT... A lot more than what we might think of at first glance. Here's what I can think of:
1. Re-production hoses, hose valves, wagon wheels, and hose clamps.
2. Re-Production Diaphragms.
3. The Duckbill Eliminator exhaust valve.
4. The High Performance 2nd Stage (HPR).
5. The Cyclone Balanced 1st Stage Nozzle.
6. Re-Production Molded Plastic Bodies.
7. Re-Production Mouthpieces.
8. Phoenix Balanced First Stage with LP and HP Ports.
9. Reproduction Can Labels.
- I know I've missed other developments but even from this list it's a remarkable sequence of achievements.
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Post by scubadiverbob on Jul 3, 2014 0:24:23 GMT -8
Surflung, The duckbill eliminator is new? My Hydrotwin has one (part of the exhaust can)... The idea wasn't new, it's probably a redesign of what already existed.  s138.photobucket.com/user/scubadiverbob/media/DSCN1659_zpsde580ae9.jpg.htmli138.photobucket.com/albums/q255/scubadiverbob/DSCN1659_zpsde580ae9.jpgI've not saw the insides of an Argonaut ... did they make the exhaust valve similar to what was in the Hydrotwin, where it's actually part of the can? I'm just curious ... don't know why USD didn't do it with the Aquamaster and RAM. Maybe, someone else had the patent on it? Ok, someone satisfy my curiosity ... Hope the Argonaut works way better than the new "mistral" USD made ... I used to own one of them. Duckbill (Terry) now has it; but, uncertain if he has tried it out. Almost every time I've seen him diving it's with his yellow hose mistral. Robert |
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Post by scubadiverbob on Jul 3, 2014 0:57:36 GMT -8
Wondering if I got one of the new Argonauts if my ACR would be better? For those new to diving ACR stands for Air Consumption Rate; used to be part of Open Water classes, uncertain; but, I think I.D.E.A. is the only one that still teaches it. Anyone know if PADI or NAUI still do?
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Post by herman on Jul 3, 2014 2:45:30 GMT -8
The duckbill eliminator (DBE)is a replacement part for USD and Voit regulators that is installed in the place of the duckbill (hence the name eliminator). It allows the use of mushroom valves which are more reliable and easier to replace. The use of a mushroom valves in the exhaust can is not new but the DBE is. There is no DBE (or duckbill for that matter) in the Argonuat, rather the exhaust passage is molded into the exhaust can and a mushroom valve is used.
There is no comparison between in the performance of the "new Mistral" and the Argonuat. The new Mistal has a number of design flaws that made it a very poor performing regulator, I have wondered if anyone at AL who actually dove DH regs was involved in it's design. On the other hand, the Argonuat was designed and tested over a number of years by people who study, restore and extensively dive DH regulators. Lessons learned from old and new designs were incorperated into the reg. Surflungs post cronicals the history of replacement parts and upgrades that have been made over the last few years to existing DH regulators. All the the lessons learned from those parts and upgrades have been incorperated into one package
The more common term used today is SAC rate (surface air consumption). While a poorly tuned/designed regulator with a high WOB (work of breathing) can have an impact on your SAC, no regulators made in recent years have a significantly different WOB. Your body makeup, diving skill, diving style and equipment selection (wetsuit/drysuit/doubles/fins/ect) have much more impact on your SAC than regulator selection.
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