Double hose regulators

[Nemrod]

Yes, plates vary on how low the slots are for cam bands. Similarly, single tank adapters also vary. It tends to be something you need to address as a system as the can needs to ride low enough to give good inhalation performance, and also must ride as close as possible to your back without intefering with the plate or BC.

The freedom plate works very good in that regard, but most plates can be made to work as long as you leave the shoulder straps loose and take up the slack with the crotch strap.

The Vee channel bend in standard doubles plates prevents the regulator/tank from being sufficiently lowered to reach the "vintage" positioning. Then even if you could manage that then the upper cam band will be off the shoulder of the tank.

Doubles plates just don't work well for singles diving, especially with a double hose.

The Freedom Plate will allow correct positioning.

However, I have found that diving a double hose with a wing, since a wing produces ideal horizontal positioning, the need to fuss over getting the regulator in the classic position is negated somewhat.

N

 

[Doubler]

Herman,
I positioned the can there just for the photo. You are absolutely correct about the positioning. I have lowered that puppy as low as I can get it on the jacket and it still isn't low enough. I would like suggestions on a BP/W travel set up that would work.

Thanks,
Jim

 

[halocline]

Herman,
I would like suggestions on a BP/W travel set up that would work.

Thanks,
Jim

The freedom plate is ideal; it's very much in the tradition of the old hard packs, just made from much nice materials and very well thought out.

 

[herman]

The Freedom plate is a good option but not always available...or at lest not in the past, that may have changed and it's not something I could get locally - I like to get my hands on things before I buy.
I have several vintage options but I wanted something that could pull double duty as a standard BC and at the same time be a good platform for a DH reg as well- mainly so I did not have to travel with 2 BCs. This week I have been experimenting with a Zeagle Express Tech, basically a soft nylon BP/wing. It has several advantages that made it a choice for me. Besides being light (for travel) and very adjustable it has 2 tank bands, something I prefer. There is no need for a STA so the tank and reg stay close to the body, a requirment for a DH reg. A huge plus for me is the easy with which the bladder can be removed or replaced. I typically do not use the bladder unless required to by a dive op or dive conditions warrent. Being able to remove and replace it quicky with no tools (unless 2 coins count as tools) is a big plus for me. So far it's working out well. At $250ish it's fairly inexpensive as BC's go.
I am diving it all this week with a Phoenix, working out the bugs. After some messing around I have about got it. A crotch strap is pretty much mandatory otherwise it rides up too much and you have to add some weight belt keepers to stop the shoulder harness from "migrating"- it tends to "self adjust" and make the tank ride up. This (strap migration- riding up is a problem with any kind of BC) would not likely be a problem on a standard BP, the web routing on the ET is a little different. When diving it with a single hose the strap migration would not be an issue and at the same time, keeping the adjustment set for the DH is not really a problem with a single hose, you can leave the straps set and just move the tank up some.
I have even cooked up a simple and cheap weight intergration (non ditchable) modification for it that has worked great, no need for a weight belt. I dive with so little weight in warm water (4 lbs in salt) that the weights being non-ditchable is not really an issue. I can't speak for any other BP availible but so far the ET is working out well for what I wanted it for- works well with both single and double hose reg, light weight, bladder is removable and fairly inexpensive. I will likey convert the crotch strap to some form of saddle harness but otherwise the BC is about what I want/need.

 

[Luis H]

herman
I hope you bring that rig to Sand Dog, I would love to see it.

 

[Nemrod]

Scubatoys is carrying Eric's Freedom Plate. That is a win, win, win.

N

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Scubatoys is carrying Eric's Freedom Plate. That is a win, win, win.

N

Yep, I'm official now.
Do you know how big scubatoys is? They're huge. People buy from them around the world.
Looks like I'm going to be working my ass off!

 

[Doubler]

Any opinions on the Diverite Transpac?

 

[halocline]

Congratulations, Eric. I hope you'll continue to make AL plates without the rail as well as SS plates.

I hope you have a good run with these plates.

 

[Nemrod]

Yep, I'm official now.
Do you know how big scubatoys is? They're huge. People buy from them around the world.
Looks like I'm going to be working my ass off!

I am a long time Scuba Toys customer, I am glad to see your plate in their inventory, win for you, win for them, win for Freedom Plate lovers everywhere .

My LDS is Scuba Toys, I order junk on a Tuesday, I get the junk on a Wednesday. Great prices and service and friendly and it is in TEXAS, my adopted home state.

Congrats.

N