Bolt snap size questions?

[Bigeclipse]

Sorry everyone, I know there are threads on this but they still don't really help me as many of them use metric sizing in the discussion and I am in the U.S. and many scuba stores online use English. I need a few bolt snaps for the following items and I am not sure what sizes to get. I understand it is all preference but is there a general consensus on sizes? I will be ordering from piranha scuba and have included a picture they have on their site for the bolt snap sizes they sell. Items for bolt snaps listed below:

1) primary regulator with the 7ft hose (I have heard some like using small ones for this so it doesn't dangle as much or hit you in the face. I am not sure what size would be considered small)
2) SPG (I think I would prefer a large one here as I will be unclipping it often to look at it)
3) secondary lights which will be clipped off on shoulder D-rings (again I think id prefer these to be on the smaller side since they will be on my shoulder D rings)
4) reel and SMB which I will likely carry on the bottom of my back plate and I do know these typically use a double ended type bolt snap which is not in the picture below.
5) anything I am forgetting?

P.S. this will be primarily for open water recreational dives but I am trying to transition into a "techy" style set-up now as I am ultimately going for technical diving in the future. I live in NY and so far only dive cold water with 5mm or 7mm gloves. Most often use the 7mm gloves.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

Your profile does not say where you are from - warm or cold water?
For me - it depends on the gloves I am wearing. I have been known to go into a HomeDepot store with my 7mm gloves and try various options of bolt snaps and utility gloves for over the 7mm. If you can not open the snaps with the gloves you have - they are basically worthless - so get them large enough that you can open them with your gloves.

 

[Bigeclipse]

Your profile does not say where you are from - warm or cold water?
For me - it depends on the gloves I am wearing. I have been known to go into a HomeDepot store with my 7mm gloves and try various options of bolt snaps and utility gloves for over the 7mm. If you can not open the snaps with the gloves you have - they basically they are worthless - so get them large enough that you can open them with your gloves.

I apologize I live in NY and so far only dive cold water with 5mm or 7mm gloves. Most often use the 7mm gloves.

 

[gbf]

In general, I use "big" for ease of handling, and by "big" I mean any of the 3 biggest from your pic.

1. I don't like the bolt snap hanging from the primary during the dive, so I don't tie the bolt snap to the primary. I tie a tank-valve neck o-ring to the primary, and use a double-ender to clip between the o-ring and right shoulder d-ring when I want to stow the primary, and leave the double-ender clipped to the d-ring when primary is in use. Additionally, I tie an o-ring at the 1st stage end of the long hose, roll the long hose and clip the 2 o-rings together with the double-ender when on shore or boat so my primary is not flopping around.

2. big

3. big - when clipped off on my shoulder d-rings and secured in a bungee loop I don't notice them, and when in use the extra size fits my hand nicely.

4. big on smb - actually I roll my smb around a piece of bungee with bolt snaps on each end, then clip them to the holes in the edge of my plate. Double-ender on spool.

Not the approved method, but works for me for warm-water sightseeing dives.

 

[tbone1004]

the answer I always give is as small as your are comfortable with for manipulating the bolt.

If you're in big thick gloves, you need them big enough that you can get a hold of them and comfortably manipulate, that is likely the biggest 3. I like butterfly clips when I'm in cold water, especially for SPG and lights. If you're using double enders, then as big as possible so you don't drop them. For primary regulator you want as small as you can so it isn't obnoxious, but you can always tie it back to the hose with a piece of bungee or an O-ring so it stays streamlined.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Since I teach in cold water most of the time with gloves I like larger ones. I get all my bolt snaps that I use and sell from Piranha so I know which ones work.
For the long hose I use the 1/2 inch pictured.
Back up lights get the 3/4.
Reels use the 1 inch std
Stage/Deco Bottles and SM bottles the 1 1/8 HD snaps.
Anything smaller is just a pain in the butt with 5 or 7 mil gloves. Dry gloves are even worse. While I might use the same for the long hose if I were using dry gloves I'd use nothing smaller than the 1 inch.
You say reel with your SMB. Do you mean reel or is it a spool. For a spool a 4 inch double ended bolt snap is what I use and recommend with heavy gloves.

 

[rhwestfall]

as small as your are comfortable with for manipulating the bolt.

^^^^^ this

I am purely a cold water diver, and I actually have the medium size "cold water butterfly snap" on my long hose reg, or any accessory I want to be able to just "slap quickly" on a d-ring........

I learned to dive with chrome plated brass second stages (SP 109/156). A modern "plastic" bodied reg with a big old snap on it is still less weight....