Pony Bottle setup

[rvojr]

Currently I have an xDeep Zen with SST backplate. It dries quick and is much more comfortable than the rental jackets from OW certifications. I very much like the idea of SM since you can rig up two rental 80l tanks when doubles may be a little more difficult to rent. I'm a fan of the redundancy of two first stages. My major concern without knowing much about SM is how it handles in current or rather how much experience I would need to handle well in current. I would like to dive off the coast of NJ along with West Palm Beach area which are both high current areas. Plus looking at the SM, it may air travel better than a standard BP&W. I think I need a bunch of dives under my belt with my season pass at Dutch Springs plus finish Advanced Scuba Diver on Memorial Day weekend. I'm kind of at a loss to figure out what my next steps are after that point.

 

[broncobowsher]

I dive with a few that do the sidemount route simply because travel is easier. Don't do any cave or even wreck penetration. Jumping off the boat can get interesting as many gates are not that wide. Had to invent my own sideways giant stride. If you want to look into sidemount that is a whole different rabbit hole that you will be jumping into.

Back to the original post. Single tank with an AL40 as a pony. I still say go for it. If nothing else it will be a primer for sidemount.

 

[Kharon]

Is it left closed until needed or opened on the surface and tested similar to the primary to ensure it is working properly?

I always open and test on surface. I dive solo and if I need it I don't want to have to turn a valve. I want to grab it and breathe.

 

[Sbiriguda]

I have Scupabro X-one BCD, this one
https://ww2.scubapro.com/en-GB/FRA/bcs/products/x-one.aspx
I have been suggested not to secure the pony bottle to the BCD since the D-Rings are not strong enough.

From the picture you can see that there is a plastic D-Ring on the left shoulder strap. The aluminum d-ring on the BCD pocket is also quite small and attached with a strap made of textile material. Is there a proper pony bottle setup I could choose for my BCD?

 

[tbone1004]

@Sbiriguda the plastic d-rings and webbing attachments are more than strong enough. The issue with the plastic d-rings is that they are loose because they are the ends of the adjustment straps. The aluminum d-rings are in the wrong spot.
More importantly, you don't have any lower attachment points for the bottle.

Unfortunately there really isn't any way to sling a bottle on that rig properly so you would have to mount it to your main tank which is IMO not ideal

 

[johndiver999]

The fact that the plastic dring at the end of the strap will move is a problem. You may be able to clip to fixed stainlesss ring above however.

The rear attachment may take some creativity. Perhaps burn a hole in the back of the pocket and install some clip or ring? I’m sure you could make it work, but this is one situation where the bp/w harness has a clear advantage.

As mentioned, mounting on the tank makes it independent of the bc, and will work fine, but you can’t see it and can’t manipulate the valve etc. which could be important attributes in some unusual circumstances.

 

[uncfnp]

Is that a D ring on the right shoulder? And is there a tab or loop or something behind the pocket? Can’t tell from the pic.

 

[Sbiriguda]

Is that a D ring on the right shoulder? And is there a tab or loop or something behind the pocket? Can’t tell from the pic.

Yes, it has an aluminum D-Ring on the right should strap but not on the left strap (min 1.18 of the video)
Honestly I don't know if there is a loop behind the pocket, I don't think so. Anyway you could make one with a line and secure it to the 2 holes with a very secure not, am I wrong?

 

[Sbiriguda]

Anyway, as far I understand the setup you described in the first posts of this discussion, the BCD must be a backplate wing type because the jacket BCDs (not only Scubapro X-one) don't seem to be good to secure the pony bottle

 

[uncfnp]

Its not common for ponies but you can sling to right. Then add a tab to the pocket with a d ring or could also use this quick link...

DGX S/S {2 in | 5.1 cm} Quick Link

When I first started using a pony I dove a travel bcd and used a quick link through a tab that was already present on the bottom edge of the bcd. Not ideal but it worked.