Are the old style Halcyon Cam straps safe?

[BlueDolphin]

I have some old style Halcyon Cam straps (the ones that come apart at the buckle). I know that Halcyon's newer cam straps no longer are of this design. Do the old style cam straps spell trouble?

 

[Dryglove]

From what i understand the older plastic ones were prone to break if overly tightened.

The two piece metal ones held just fine once they were clamped and do not come apart once clamped down.

I have the newer style on mine.

By the way there is a new set on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1870854353

 

[BlueDolphin]

These have no plastic. But the buckle does come apart if you know what I mean. The metal rod material that threads through the strap then sets in place into the buckle. Once secure.... they do seem VERY secure. I just know that Halcyon changed the design so that the parts no longer come apart. I am sure these are fine.... but was curious if anyone had heard about any problems with them.

Thanks for the link to the Ebay ones..... I missed a pair of these new ones WITH the STA for $65! That was a killer deal.
These are not a bad deal though. I went ahead and picked up the guys like new DIN valve (for AL tanks) like new for $35. I have been looking for one of those.

 

[Dryglove]

You may want to ask uncle pug as i think he uses them and have never heard him say anything bad about them.

 

[Uncle Pug]

I have the SS buckles that do not come apart. But I don't think there is a safety issue with the ones that do come apart. I am sure that you could call Halcyon and arrainge for them to trade you for the newer ones if you are in doubt.

 

[MechDiver]

I replaced both my Halcyon straps with Scubapros as I hate cam bands. There is nothing available that holds as well, or is as easy to adjust as the Scubapro.

Phil

 

[Scubaroo]

I have the buckles you'r referring to, that come apart. They can be a pain to attach. The best solution I've found so far is to use an STA, and leave the STA permanently buckled to the tank (assuming you own your own tank). Then just undo the wingnuts on the bolts to attach and remove the tank for fills. Detaching and reattaching the backplate and wings is faster than tightening the cam straps once you've done it a couple of times, and your tank is always in the same position, so your trim doesn't vary between dives if you're not paying attention to where you mount the tank relative to the backplate.

 

[BlueDolphin]

Thanks Bengiddens. Not a bad idea.

Yes... they can be a bit of a hassle on a rocking boat. But once on correctly they do seem solid.

UP... that is perhaps even a greater idea! I did not think of that. I had no idea actually, that Halcyon would entertain that idea.
I will give them a call and see what they say.

 

[dkerr]

bengiddins once bubbled...
The best solution I've found so far is to use an STA, and leave the STA permanently buckled to the tank (assuming you own your own tank). Then just undo the wingnuts on the bolts to attach and remove the tank for fills.

How do you keep the bolt from turning when tightening the wing nut? I am very new with the bp and that sounds like a good idea except I need to use a screwdriver to hold the bolt in place. Maybe I should replace the bolt with one that has a hex head? But then I don't think I could find one with the bevel to fit flush into the STA. How do you do it?
Thanks
Doug

 

[Uncle Pug]

dkerr once bubbled...
I am very new with the bp and that sounds like a good idea

to Ben... but that really isn't the solution. Get rid of the SS Halcyon buckles that come apart and get the SS ones that don't.

Leaving the STA on the tank does no good on a two tank boat dive.

Taking the tank apart from the wing is not really necessary for fills... I fill our rigs all the time by just removing the first stage and attaching the fill whip.... the only time this would be a problem is for shops that do hot fills and need to put the tank in water to cool it.