- Messages
- 808
- Reaction score
- 40
- # of dives
- 200 - 499
I just got back from the Keys where I used my new DSS rig (SS plate, Hog harness, Torus 26 wing) for the first time in OW. I must say I am very pleased that I decided to go the BP/W route and just wanted to give some newbie impressions.
My checked bag weight was roughly the same as with my old jacket style BC. Granted this was for three days of diving rather than six like the last time I traveled with the jacket but I don't think it will make a huge difference for future trips. It did pack down more compactly as expected which was nice. No more struggling to get those bag zippers zipped. Oddly enough my bag was not searched by TSA (that I know of) going either way when I usually had been before.
I find the harness actually easier to don and doff than with the jacket. I did on one occasion not notice that my thigh pocket had slipped off the belt before I buckled it and jumped in the water. I never felt like I was being pushed face down when at the surface, even with a lot of air the wing. Trim felt good, at least from my perspective. I found it is better for me to wear weight on the belt rather than the cam bands as there is a tendency for me to go head down otherwise. Actually there was still a very slight tendency for this to happen even with the weights lower (time for Jet fins?).
I have gotten used to the shorter inflator hose. With the inflator hose inner tubed to the shoulder strap and the corrugated bungied at the D ring it place the inflator right the on my chest - it's easy to find and doesn't flop around. I had at one point been wearing my octo on a Manta necklace but switched back to attaching it to the right should D ring (no long hose yet). I had found it to be a little annoying necklaced and it was easier to demo donation with it on the D ring (I'm a DMC and was down there with an instructor and some students).
I'm still trying to figure out how to keep my head from hitting the first stage. The upper cam bands are as high on the tank as I can get them. I'll try tightening the crotch strap and loosening the shoulder straps just a bit but I don't want to do too much as I know I can reach valve as it is now. I had one pool session where I was not hitting my head but I can't for the life of me figure out why. I don't think I changed anything.
I was the only recreational diver I saw down there with a BP/W but I really didn't get any extra scrutiny from anyone (except the students understandably). In fact I think some people might assume you to be more experienced than you are when they see you with it - maybe not a good thing. I suppose this would be vary regionally. Most of the diving I did was shallow reef stuff which was fine but I did get in two dives on the Spiegel Grove.
In the whole, I'm liking this thing. A lot. Another instructor I know who moved down to the Keys last year said I looked very comfortable in the water, and I felt it too. So, Tobin's got yet another satisfied customer and here's one more diver who's taken one more baby step toward the dark side.
My checked bag weight was roughly the same as with my old jacket style BC. Granted this was for three days of diving rather than six like the last time I traveled with the jacket but I don't think it will make a huge difference for future trips. It did pack down more compactly as expected which was nice. No more struggling to get those bag zippers zipped. Oddly enough my bag was not searched by TSA (that I know of) going either way when I usually had been before.
I find the harness actually easier to don and doff than with the jacket. I did on one occasion not notice that my thigh pocket had slipped off the belt before I buckled it and jumped in the water. I never felt like I was being pushed face down when at the surface, even with a lot of air the wing. Trim felt good, at least from my perspective. I found it is better for me to wear weight on the belt rather than the cam bands as there is a tendency for me to go head down otherwise. Actually there was still a very slight tendency for this to happen even with the weights lower (time for Jet fins?).
I have gotten used to the shorter inflator hose. With the inflator hose inner tubed to the shoulder strap and the corrugated bungied at the D ring it place the inflator right the on my chest - it's easy to find and doesn't flop around. I had at one point been wearing my octo on a Manta necklace but switched back to attaching it to the right should D ring (no long hose yet). I had found it to be a little annoying necklaced and it was easier to demo donation with it on the D ring (I'm a DMC and was down there with an instructor and some students).
I'm still trying to figure out how to keep my head from hitting the first stage. The upper cam bands are as high on the tank as I can get them. I'll try tightening the crotch strap and loosening the shoulder straps just a bit but I don't want to do too much as I know I can reach valve as it is now. I had one pool session where I was not hitting my head but I can't for the life of me figure out why. I don't think I changed anything.
I was the only recreational diver I saw down there with a BP/W but I really didn't get any extra scrutiny from anyone (except the students understandably). In fact I think some people might assume you to be more experienced than you are when they see you with it - maybe not a good thing. I suppose this would be vary regionally. Most of the diving I did was shallow reef stuff which was fine but I did get in two dives on the Spiegel Grove.
In the whole, I'm liking this thing. A lot. Another instructor I know who moved down to the Keys last year said I looked very comfortable in the water, and I felt it too. So, Tobin's got yet another satisfied customer and here's one more diver who's taken one more baby step toward the dark side.