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For a general description and discussion of hookah diving click here:
There are a large number of hookah diving systems from qualified manufacturers on the market today. How can you choose the correct one for your purposes? The information may be a little hard to decipher so I’ll try to simplify it for you here.
I have reviewed 4 excellent systems here. The first two are gasoline-powered, pretty similar in function and mounted on a flotation device. The second two are designed to be mounted on a stable surface and offer two different types of electrical power sourcing. Each provides advantages for your consideration.
The 4 Best Hookah Diving Systems
- Airline R260-4 Hookah Dive System – 2 Person
- Brownie’s F285X Deluxe Floating Hookah Dive System – 2 Person
- Nardi Esprit 3T Electric Compressor Hookah System
- Brownie’s E150B Land Based Commercial Hookah System
Airline R260-4 Hookah Dive System – 2 Person
The R260-4 is the original direct-drive system that was introduced in 1999. It’s still unmatched in performance, requiring only minimal maintenance and is equipped with a reliable 4HP Honda engine.
The air intake is mounted on a removable staff high above the compressor and is designed to avoid the intrusion of contaminated air. The system includes 2 x 60-foot diver hoses with high-flow, solid-brass, nickel-plated swivels on either end to prevent kinking. Non-breakable plastic fittings are used.
Specifications (from Airline):
- compressor: Air Line/Thomas, single head, direct drive, oil-free, Wobble piston
- motor: 4 hp, ohv Honda
- performance: 2 divers to 70 feet, 3 divers to 40 feet
- air discharge: 9 cfm @ 0 psi, 6 cfm @ 50 psi running at a standard 3,400 RPMs
- operating time: 3 hours +, on 2.5 quarts gas
- breathing air rating: Grade E Compressed Gas Association of America
- size in polypropylene storage. carry case: 19.5 by 25 by 17 inches high
- weight (in a case or on the float): 46 lbs
- inflated float size: 38 inches (stable up to 3-foot seas)
- deck pan mount: on 19.5 by 25-inch pan
- warranty: 1 year on the Thomas compressor, 3 years on the Honda motor, 1 year on all other parts
The R260-4 package includes the following (from Airline):
- compressor/engine assembly (1)
- polypropylene storage case(1)
- US Navy heat hose(1)
- agricultural grade inner tube(1)
- 1,000 denier, u/v stabilized Cordura float cover (1)
- hose splitter(1) hose splitter(1)
- 60 foot fully swiveled, individual diver hoses(2)
- washable, stainless-steel particle filters(4)
- tow belts (2)
- weight belts(2)
- adjustable, hookah specific, 2nd stage regulator with fully rotational, 360-degree swivel(2)
- air intake staff and filter(1)
- down diver flag(1)
- owner’s manual (Honda and Air Line/Thomas)(1)
Why Buy the Airline R260-4 Hookah System?
- reliable, proven design and performance
- compact and easily portable
- no fuel mixing – 4 cycle Honda engine
- good for 2 or 3 divers
- stable in up to 3-foot seas
- run time of over 3 hours
Brownie’s F285X Deluxe Floating Hookah Dive System – 2 Person
The F285X, utilizing direct drive technology with a Robin Subaru 4.5 HP, 4 stroke OH gasoline engine, is the lightest Brownie’s hookah system ever. It allows 3 hours plus of run time and 80 feet of diving depth. The hardcover travel case makes the F285X easier to store and transport than regular scuba gear in its hardcover travel case.
The F285X is designed for a maximum of 2 divers at one time to 70 to 80 feet and 3 divers to 35 to 45 feet, based on breathing rate and exertion. It comes with an easy to store and transport hardcover travel case.
Specifications (from Brownie’s):
- motor: Robin Subaru 4.5 hp, 4 stroke motor
- compressor: single head direct drive oilless
- run time: 3 + hours per tank of gas
- weight: 44 lbs. (compressor in storage case)
- size: 17 by 24 by 14 inches H (in storage case)
The F285X package includes (from Brownie’s):
- motor/compressor assembly storage case with impact resistant HDPE cover
- 7 ft heat hose with easy to clean in-line particle filter
- owner’s manual
- intake staff w/dry top
- dive flag
- float tube(1)
- 60 ft down line with QRS fittings(1)
- QRS Y-Divider(2)
- 20ft diver hoses with QRS fittings(2)
- Brownie’s™ patented Drop Weight Cummerbelts™(2)
- Brownie’s™ hookah regulators(2)
- deluxe mesh duffle gear bag(1)
Why Buy the Brownie’s F285X Deluxe Floating Hookah Dive System?
- reliable brand and performance
- extremely compact and portable,
- no fuel mixing – 4 cycle Suburu engine
- good for 2 divers
- run time of 3 hours
Nardi Esprit 3T Electric Compressor Hookah System
Nardi Compressors is the very reputable Italian maker of the latest in small oil-less and piston compressors. The Esprit units are battery-powered electric models and come with node clamps. The compressor runs only when needed to maintain 118 psi of internal pressure and is equipped with auto shut-off when not in use to stop drainage of battery power. For the environmentally-conscious, it produces on 58 decibels of sound when running which is quieter than an air conditioner. It has a 50-foot diver hose and second stage and a stable frame perfect for boats. It is great for hull scraping and other boat maintenance and for shallow recreational diving, as well.
- accumulator tank – 20 cubic feet at 114 psi
- 500 watt, 12-volt system
- 2 cylinder engine at 2400 rpm
- filtered air intake 6.4 cubic feet per minute
- compression system piston without lubrication compresses the surrounding air in an oil-less system filtered for moisture by a molecular sieve filter
- 45 cm by 24cm by 28cm
- 27 lbs
Why Buy the Nardi Esprit 3T Electric Compressor Hookah System?
- reliable brand and performance
- extremely compact and portable,
- clean and quiet electric motor
- good for 1 diver
- battery-powered
Brownie’s E150B Land-Based Commercial Hookah System
The E150B is a simple commercial hookah system from the famous manufacturer designed for land-based or deck use that is set up for one diver. It uses a 110 v AC electrical power system that can be plugged into an external generator or the AC supply of a motorboat. There is a 40-foot common hose that attaches via a Y-divider to a 20-foot individual diver hose which allows a maximum depth of 50-55 feet. The E150B is set up for one diver, but a further diver can be added with the Brownie’s Add-a-Diver Kit. The two-diver maximum depth is 25-30 feet. This model is excellent for work on the hull of your boat and around the boatyard.
Specifications (from Brownie’s):
- motor: 1.0 hp/60hz tefc motor with sealed switch
- electrical: 10.8 amp, 830 watts, 110 v
- fuse: 15 amp
- compressor: single head direct drive oil-less
- displacement: 4.1 cfm
- air delivery: 25 cfm @ 50 psi
- run time: continuous (when power is supplied)
- depth: 1 diver to 50-55 feet
- weight: 62 pounds – compressor in storage case
- dimensions: 17 by 24 by 17 inches
displacement: 4.1 cfmThe E150B package Includes (from Brownie’s):
- motor/compressor mounted in HDPE impact-resistant storage case with cover
- 6-foot power cord
- 5-foot heat hose with inline particle filter
- 40-foot common down line with F to M QRS fitting
- 20-foot individual diver hose with F to M QRS fitting
- Brownie’s hookah regulators on 40-foot hose and QRS
- Brownie’s basic tow belt
- deluxe mesh duffle gear bag
- owner’s manual
Why Buy the Brownie’s Land-Based Hookah System?
- reliable brand and performance
- clean and quiet electric motor
- good for 1 diver
- 110 v AC powered
Hello,
I am a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver. Do you think I need more training than that to use a hookah system to dive?
A friend of mine and I would like to do some exploring in the Gulf of Mexico where we have heard there are some remains of wrecks in water about 50-60 feet deep. Is a hookah system suitable for that?
Thanks.
Hey Ryan,
Thanks for your questions.
The PADI AOW is plenty to get you started with a hookah system. Before you go in for a dive you’ll need to check out the system and make sure you know how to use it. I suggest to find a pool to check yourself out in. Equipment-wise, though, it can be seen as easier to use than the more cumbersome gear of scuba. You’ll need to make sure you are weighted properly, as you would with scuba, but you most likely will not be using a BCD with hookah. Following the dive tables and using a safe ascent rate, etc. is the same. It would be good to have a redundant system, like the spare-air kit, as a back-up. Of course diving with a buddy is optimal.
Exploring in water 50-60 feet is quite suitable for hookah. It is always advisable to have some surface supervision of the compressor, but in calm seas in relatively shallow water cruising the bottom with a metal detector and/or spot light, a floating hookah set-up is an excellent way to go. A friend of mine does exactly that with a Brownie’s Hookah system.
If you have any other questions, please let me know. I hope you can follow in Mel Fisher’s footsteps (finprints?).
Good luck!
Joe
Diving is a fun loving hobby but it can be rather dangerous if you do not know how to manage it.
Therefore, choosing a reliable and safe diving system is very important.
I like your review on those 4 models which you have selected here, but in particular I prefer gasoline powered model and I would consider Airline R260-4. It has long history of manufacturing experiences since 1999, and this is important for me in considering safety as my number 1 criteria.
The reviews on Amazon website seem very positive and I would recommend others to consider this Airline system.
Thanks a lot for your comments and opinions. I think you’re right that Airline has a great reputation for reliability. If you have any other comments or perhaps questions, please let me know.
Regards,
Joe