Which Quick release tank bands?

[rob.mwpropane]

Now where do I find one of those! Mine doesn't even swim! I'm working on it, mostly by threatening her I'd die trying to rescue her drowning in a flood or something...

Bottom cam band would be rubber and use quick release weight belt buckle. I was wondering why no one uses rubber cam bands, and no one uses weight belt buckles for cambands.


Don't hold your breath, @Zef hates it!


I wonder if it's because nylon expands when wet? Rubber gets compressed, so things prob won't be loose?

I'm not sure if you could use rubber. Something tells me it wouldn't last as long as nylon though.

I guess that's the problem with diving....so many ideas and the only way to find out you like / don't like something is to buy and try. I try to read as much as I can before making a purchase, but cam bands are definitely one of those things you just have to give a shot and see what you like....just like fins.

 

[Marie13]

I struggle to lift the whole thing up. Too heavy for me. I'll add a loop at the top of my wing/harness to hold the tank up before closing the qr buckles. It's just easier for me. I don't switch tank size.

Too heavy for you? Maybe a stupid question, but do you have any integrated weights in the BC? If so, take them out when putting BC on tank. Makes a big difference. I’m short and when I have to switch tanks on a boat dive, I remove all my weights from the pockets. I also take the tank off the bench and put it on the floor of the boat, as I really struggle with getting BC off tank with tank on the bench. I dive a BP/W with a weighted STA.

 

[purbeast]

I purchased these which look identical to your second link:

Edge Tank Cam Strap with Stainless Pro Cam Buckle

I've had no issues with them and like them. Sizing them to fit the first time I put them on can take a few tries, but putting it onto subsequent tanks is a piece of cake.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

I purchased these which look identical to your second link:

Edge Tank Cam Strap with Stainless Pro Cam Buckle

I've had no issues with them and like them. Sizing them to fit the first time I put them on can take a few tries, but putting it onto subsequent tanks is a piece of cake.

Exact ones I got, they're slightly cheaper from OTG, although you'll have to wait a little bit for shipping.

Did you find them loose after the 1st dive, or after any subsequent dives?

 

[purbeast]

Exact ones I got, they're slightly cheaper from OTG, although you'll have to wait a little bit for shipping.

Did you find them loose after the 1st dive, or after any subsequent dives?

Maybe they were a little loose but nothing to the point where the tank would slide around or anything. I can't really remember though. But I do remember enough to know I didn't think there was an issue.

My past trip the guide changed tanks but prior to that was in September and I Just don't remember the details. I might have had to tighten it slightly but again I can't really remember unfortunately.

 

[lexvil]

I use the top one of your two samples on the bottom and a SS regulator cam buckle on the top. I use a backplate (FP) with weights captured under the rail and weight on the belt in addition to weight on the top camband. I see no advantage to wrecking my back fighting with my gear so, this being cold water diving dry, I use a table and just lat the rig strapside down, open the bottom QR band lay the tank on the rail and slide it into position. I don’t take the weights out to change tanks either. Work smarter not harder.

 

[James79]

Now where do I find one of those! Mine doesn't even swim! I'm working on it, mostly by threatening her I'd die trying to rescue her drowning in a flood or something...

Bottom cam band would be rubber and use quick release weight belt buckle. I was wondering why no one uses rubber cam bands, and no one uses weight belt buckles for cambands.


Don't hold your breath, @Zef hates it!


I wonder if it's because nylon expands when wet? Rubber gets compressed, so things prob won't be loose?

Nylon does stretch some when wet, hence the recommendations to wet the cam bands before tightening. Regarding rubber and or weight belt buckles, i believe you would find a rubber strap to have to much stretch (not be able to get it tight enough to actually secure the tank), and a weight belt buckle has no provision for ratcheting it tighter. The traditional cam band buckle is counting on you getting it as tight as you can with it open, then using mechanical advantage to get it a little tighter and lock in place.
If I were in your shoes, I'd probably start with @Marie13 advice to remove weights, then do a regular camband on top and a qr on bottom. That would give you a lighter assembly that you only have to lift half way over the tank, a properly adjusted cam band up top will hold it (even loose) well enough to do the lower qr band
Of course, my advice is worth what you paid for it!
Respectfully
James

 

[loosenit2]

Just about everyone I've talked to hates the Highland ones because they don't release enough to actually be QR. They get caught on the end because the hook is too big. Some have shaved part of the hook off to get them to be QR. I believe @stuartv gave his away to whomever paid the shipping fees he hated them so much.

I got a pair of these 2nd hand as I thought they would make it easier with pony bottle...it did not. There is no quick release function on these, only way to make them work is to connect them and slide them over tank just like a regular cam band, only now you have to deal with them coming apart while doing it...definitely not worth the effort.

 

[Zef]

The Edge (OTG type) tank straps are distributed by Edge-HOG gear.

Edge HOG actually list 2 types of tank straps on their site: the OTG type and the 2nd ones that the OP listed a link to:

Edge Tank Cam Strap w/ SS Pro Cam Buckle - BCD - Products

EDGE Quick Fit Cam Strap with Stainless Steel Buckle

OP...the reason to go with two cam straps is that it is far less likely your tank will slip out if one strap is not secured straight across. There was a discussion about this on SB a long time ago where the testing showed that with 2 straps even if both were loose the tank was unlikely to fall out.

I suppose you can use a weight belt as the second strap but you are unlikely to get the strap as tight as a cam strap can be....and standard weight belt buckles do wear and when they do the belt slips...it will only be a matter of time before that happens using one as a tank strap....I am not sure why one would use one when there are relatively inexpensive purpose driven products available, but there is nothing wrong with experimenting to find out for yourself what works/doesn't work for you.

-Z

 

[Zef]

Also, I believe the Aqualung have different adjustments for different size tanks (or maybe it was Scubapro?). But whenever I buy something for me I have to get another set for my wife....so the $90 for AL QR straps would have turned into $180, and that's too rich for my blood.

If I was single I would have probably sprung for those.

I believe one brand's straps are marked for quick reference when swapping out different tanks with different circumferences. I can't recall which but I vaguely remember the Aqua Lung ones have the marks.

I will attest that using the QD straps on different size tanks is no fun....even the slight difference in circumference between my 12L tank and the 12L tanks at one of the clubs I am a member of is enough of a hassle to make them not worth the effort...for me.

-Z