DSS Pro fit harness

[LittleFish]

I am planning on buying a DSS single tank rig in the next month. My question has to do with the harness. I like the features of the pro fit but also the simplicity of the hog. I am leaning heavily toward the pro fit harness right now but before I jump in, I would like to see what opinions there are on it.

Specifically I would like to know if anyone has experienced any problems with the pro fit harness. I am not looking for theoretical failure points, but actual problems. What would I be giving up by going with the pro fit over the hog (other than the obvious $50 of course). If you have used one what do you like better about it than a pure hog harness?

Thank you for your help with this. I could think of no better place to go to ask my question than to Scubaboard members.

 

[BigJetDriver]

I have one Pro-fit that I have been using. I plan to get another one for another rig. It is really, really, really comfortable, and easy to get into and out of. You cannot go wrong getting one.

 

[PacketSniffer]

I'll second BigJetDriver's endorsement. I own one and love it. It's really great when gearing up when you don't have a tailgate, boat seat, whatever to put the harness on. Also, until I see someone do it the way they normally have their hog harness adjusted for diving, I am comfortable knowing I can get completely out of that harness in about 3 seconds even in a dry suit should something go wrong (i.e., exiting shore with monstrous waves).


Richard

 

[jim T.]

Any major differences between the Deep Sea comfort harness and the Dive Rite transplate harness?

The only major difference is the strap intersection point hardware instead of rings? (Sorry I don't know what the correct term is for Deep Sea's harness hardware...)

Anyone here used both and prefer one over the other? I'm tempted to combine DR and DS components. Thanks

 

[ShoalDiverSA]

...
The only major difference is the strap intersection point hardware instead of rings? (Sorry I don't know what the correct term is for Deep Sea's harness hardware...)
...

Harness Polypoint Ring.

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[jim T.]

Andrew, Yep. That's them all right. Thanks for the link.
They look like they have cool features but I wondeted if they were as "shaping" as rings for shoulder strap angling or if they poked divers in any uncomfortable manner due to the corners, in warm water skins,etc.

The angled clip off points are an attractive feature for sure.

 

[PacketSniffer]

Andrew, Yep. That's them all right. Thanks for the link.
They look like they have cool features but I wondeted if they were as "shaping" as rings for shoulder strap angling or if they poked divers in any uncomfortable manner due to the corners, in warm water skins,etc.

The angled clip off points are an attractive feature for sure.

Providing you have your harness adjusted correctly, you shouldn't have any issues of rubbing or getting pinched. Once you have the chosen exposure protection on yourself, just follow the normal procedure for fitting a back plate harness and you should be golden. Furthermore, I can tell you that I don't have any negative issues that pertain directly to the gear I have purchased from DeepSeaSupply. In fact, quite to the contrary, I am often the envy of divers when I roll out my gear. Tobin's work definitely stands out.


Richard

My Upcoming Dive Trips
01.28.06 - Valhalla ICBM Missle Silo (Cold war history in your logbook)
02.03.06 - Flower Gardens [Hammerhead Migration]
02.17.06 - Florida Dive Fest (Marvel's side yard, USS Spiegel Grove, USCG Duane, Bibb, Eagle & more)
02.25.06 - Rescue Class Open Water
??.??.?? - Puget Sound (March?: Ski & Dive trip)
06.23.06 - NC Wreck Diving (City of Houston, Normannia, & John D Gill)
10.13.06 - Catalina Island & Jazz Fest (...the California kelp)

 

[dirthead]

I have a DSS single tank rig, and originally had a Pro-fit harness. I was a little undecided when I first bought the system between the adjustable harness and a hog rig. I decided to go with the Pro-fit, thinking it would be significantly easier to don/doff. First, let me say that all the stuff I have seen from DSS is top notch in design and quality. I have the upmost respect for Tobin and the way he runs his business. Now, back to the harnesses. I found the Pro-fit to be a little harder to don/doff than expected. It is very adjustable, but I had a hard time making adjustments to the shoulder straps with it on. I also had a hard time with the buckles on the shoulder straps. I got to the point where I was just donning/doffing like I would a hog harness and not doing any adjustments. The softness of the webbing was very comfortable, but made donning in "hog" mode a little harder since it would easily flex and move around. I made the decision to just change my harness to a DSS hog and Tobin was kind enough to help me out. I am not trying to say the DSS harness isn't good, I think any of the adjustable harness from any manufacturer would be about the same. The hog harness works better for me. It's easier for me to don/doff because of the stiff straps. Once you get it set, no adjustment is needed unless you make a big change to your exposure suit thickness. It is infinitely adjustable in the sense that you can position d-rings anywhere you want. You can't do that with an adjustable harness. You are somewhat limited by the buckles, sewn webbing, etc.

I will never dive anything but a hog. It works for me better than an adjustable. I would have never believed that a hogarthian rig would be easier to don/doff than one with soft webbing and buckles, but it is, for me anyway. I think Tobin makes the best adjustable harness out there. The quality and workmanship are second to none. So if you decide to get the Pro-fit, quality will not be an issue. Others may have had different experiences with adjustable vs hog harnesses, so this is just my opinion.

 

[cummings66]

Tobins gear fits fine, no problems with skin or a suit. I personally got rid of the Pro-fit harness and went to a straight Hogarthian harness and like it better. The only issue I can think of with the Pro-Fit that I didn't like was when you bungie a backup light to it the harness itself gets in the way and pushes the light out away from the harness.

You can certainly get out of the Pro-Fit harness easily with a drysuit, and since I have rings for my gloves I do miss that part because the one drawback to the Hogarthian harness is that those rings keep getting hung up in the harness, both putting it on and taking it off. On is the worst.

Either way, both work and the Pro-Fit is closer to the normal BCD's you find if that makes a difference to you.

 

[ShoalDiverSA]

... The softness of the webbing was very comfortable, but made donning in "hog" mode a little harder since it would easily flex and move around. ...

Hi there,

Please would you explain "donning in hog mode"? Just trying to get a mental picture of how it is done.

Cheers,

Andrew