Cam buckle Poll

[OneBrightGator]

I've never seen one break, and we had plastic buckles on all the rental gear that was in the water everyday over the summer, that being said I don't want to have mine be the first one I see... on the first day of a long diving trip

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Has anyone ever had a plastic buckle break when it wasn't like, frozen brittle from cold? I used to have one brand of SS buckles that scratched the **** out of tanks, I used to line the tank with ducttape to prevent it. I'm currently using plastic buckles with no problems, but I have easy access (funny about that) to a new brand of SS buckle that look like they won't scratch the tanks. Thinking of switching, simply because it could mean another 1-1.5lb of integrated weight on the rig (they're heavy buckles - each strap weighs about 13oz.).

OTOH I wouldn't want SS buckles on a travel rig - there the weight is working against you.

Yes ... on a brand new Trans Pac II. Back when I was DM'ing I took this young fellow out on a boat dive. He cinched down his tank strap so tight he couldn't get the buckle closed ... so he gave it a quick "jab" with the palm of his hand. The buckle flew apart in three pieces. He gave us a sheepish look and said "guess it didn't need to be that tight". Fortunately, being a two-strap rig we were able to jury-rig it using zip-ties so that he could still use it for the day.

He replaced 'em both with metal buckles the next day ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Tavi]

I don't know how it broke, One day I just noticed that it was.

Now I only use plastic on my pool Rig (TP II). My open water rigs all have stainless steel buckles.

 

[ppo2_diver]

The Dive Rite SS buckles and strap have a piece of rubber that will stop the buckle from scratching the tanks. I just made the switch from plastic to SS. I do a lot of ice diving and want to eliminate all potential failure points. Now if I can only swap out those plastic buttons on my DR wing inflator for SS.....

 

[drbill]

Hmmm... I used the SP cam type for many years and only had trouble once... on a night dive when I didn't check the buckle and there was part of the webbing trapped underneath.

I've never had any trouble with my double plastic buckles on my X-Tek BCDs.

Dr. Bill

 

[ranger]

I love the DR bands, easy to adjust, and when adjusted correctly your tank will not move.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I managed to break 3 buckles on my travel bands last year but 2 were due to cold and one had a tank dropped on it.

I have considered both the SP buckle and the SS cam buckles, but with my travel bands it takes 30 seconds to change out a broken buckle, they cost $3.00-$4.00 and are easy to keep in the spares kit so upgrading to metal buckles is not worth the cost, the extra weight for travel or the potential to scratch tanks.

If I used a system where the buckle were held by a loop sewn in the strap and was not easy to change, I'd switch to metal buckles in a heartbeat. I prefer the SP arrangement as the strap separates and minimizes lifting.

 

[hex92]

Thats what I was thinking Aquamaster. It seems that if I went with the scubapro style that swapping tanks between dives would be easier.

Good point scubaroo...Didn't think about the added weight when traveling, but then again when I am on vacation I would hate to have a buckle break and no spare.

The poll is running 3-1 in favor of steel vs hinged. Thanks for all the input.

 

[Lat. Adjustment]

I set up my BP with 2 ScubaPro buckles, as for adjusting the straps I've marked the straps with a paint stick for each of the sizes I use so I know where to put the D-ring.

 

[FreeFloat]

I have stainless camstrap buckles that came with my Halcyon wnig, and the thing I like best about these buckles is the solid CLANK they make when locked in place. They have a little notch cut out of them that ensures they snap shut. Also, there's a rubber pad sewn right onto the camstrap itself.

The only drawback to these stainless buckles, is that the little cutout section claps so snugly onto the tank that it can put a little chip in the paint or galvanized finish on the tank.