Fresh ammo for the bp/wings debate

[RichLockyer]

SeaJay once bubbled...
Too funny.

Well, following my recommendation, he would be eliminating one "pro" for the W/BP... price/value.

It's when we get into clusterfarts like the H.U.B. that I see absolutely zero "pro" under water and a whole lot of "con".

Thankfully, it is priced out of reach of most divers.

 

[Pio]

Hey, thanx for the great comments and advice!

RichLockyer once bubbled...

Well, following my recommendation, ...

I did follow

And, SeaJay, I think I'll just grab my phone. Furhermore, regarding spare parts /repairs, I would have thought so as well but wasn't quite sure.


One more thing I would like to comment after having read through more threads (I can speak from my limited experience only). It's about plastic fasteners and other plastic accessories, like rings.

Many people say they can (and do) break and even break easily.
I believe that you can break your octo as well, if you place a tank onto it (well, I did, but nothing broke).
On my 40 dives, some on boats packed with 50 divers (yes I know!!!!) I have not seen or heard about a single broken plastic part (Maybe I was just too busy in taking care of my own equipment? ).
I can understand that in pretty cold or hot environment the materials (e.g. ABS) are more stressed and thus might be more easily broken.

However, in my opinion the risk is overestimated (I have participated in the design of some ABS parts [not fasteners though] and know a bit about draft angles and the like. If a design is made in a way that it 'brakes easily' it's a bad design. And the upper temp limit of lower cost ABS e.g. is at 80 deg celsius. You don't reach this with black fasteners even in bright sunshine.)

As a conclusion I would rank the easier mounting and unmounting higher (especially under and in the water). I think many 'holidays only' divers never become true 'professionals' (or it takes a long time) and might prefer fasteners.

Another issue which is closely linked to the fasteners is whether straps should be adjustable. I think the same conclusion as for mounting applies.
I must say, though, that straps on my jacket BCs have become loose once or twice underwater, and once when gearing up.

Bottom line:
Plastic fasteners and adjustable straps can be a pro for jacket BCs and back inflates, especially for beginners.


Jens

 

[detroit diver]

Jens,

If you've planned a great charter to a dive destination that you've always wanted to dive, how would you feel if your plastic chest strap buckle broke just before the first dive? Are the risks small? Of course, but they are still there.

With steel, this is not possible.

I went out to Seattle to dive with Uncle Pug from this board about a year and a half ago. I had a plastic tank strap buckle on my singles rig. I installed the tank that UP had loaned me, and proceeded to clamp down the buckle. It broke into 2 pieces.

I had just flown 2000 miles to do a dive, and almost had to abandon it due to a plastic part. I was lucky that UP had a spare strap with him and allowed me to dive.

I was lucky. Not life threatening, but way past the point of annoying. Guess what material my new buckle is made of???

It can happen, and it does.

 

[Pio]

detroit diver once bubbled...
It can happen, and it does.

You're right, it can happen.

Now here's the (silly?) question: Are there metal buckles or alternate (quick-)release mechanisms???
I guess if there were you would find them all over the market place?

******************************
It just comes to me that you have already partially answered that question - sorry!

Let me put it this way: where did you get your metal buckles? And are they sort of compatible and could replace plastic on most of the standard BCs? Is it a DIY job?


Jens

 

[RichLockyer]

Pio once bubbled...
You're right, it can happen.

Now here's the (silly?) question: Are there metal buckles or alternate (quick-)release mechanisms???
I guess if there were you would find them all over the market place?

I also had a Fastex break... not under water, but at the airport... the only reason it didn't cost me a laptop was the guy behind me was quick and caught it before it hit the floor.

Stainless quick release? It's called a weight belt buckle

 

[RichLockyer]

Pio once bubbled...
It just comes to me that you have already partially answered that question - sorry!

Let me put it this way: where did you get your metal buckles? And are they sort of compatible and could replace plastic on most of the standard BCs? Is it a DIY job?

Oh, you meant the cam-band.

Scubapro and Halcyon both make stainless fasteners. The old Halcyon was a replacement for the plastic part (you could cut away the plastic and use the stock wire). I have that kind and it's a mixed blessing. It can be a pain to assemble, but at the same time, I don't have to lift and slide my BC down over the tank... I just put it against the tank and fasten the bands.

The new style Halcyon doesn't separate, and is more secure. Replacement is the same as replacing the stock BC's band (10 minutes).

 

[Pio]

RichLockyer once bubbled...

Oh, you meant the cam-band.

Hmmm, nope!

I mean these guys (I hope the image is attached properly).

 

[detroit diver]

I don't use a BC, I use a BP and harness system. The plastic cam buckle I mentioned above was replaced by a SS buckle from Halcyon. My only other critical buckle is on my waistbelt and it is SS also.

I know Scubapro makes SS buckles, and there must be others as well.

I don't think I need a quick release system. Yes, it makes things easier on the boat, but I'm far more concerned with what happens in the water. I can put up with a little inconvenience for a couple of minutes to ensure a pleasureable in-water experience.

Pio once bubbled...


You're right, it can happen.

Now here's the (silly?) question: Are there metal buckles or alternate (quick-)release mechanisms???
I guess if there were you would find them all over the market place?

******************************
It just comes to me that you have already partially answered that question - sorry!

Let me put it this way: where did you get your metal buckles? And are they sort of compatible and could replace plastic on most of the standard BCs? Is it a DIY job?


Jens

 

[caveseeker7]

Hi Pio,

a lot of 'tech gear is available in Germany. I don't know where you in Germany, but here are some links:
<www.barakuda-tauchsport.de>
import: Zeagle (they have steel and titanium backplates, and wings from 35lbs. to 65lbs. for them
<www.dtuag.de>
import: OMS (again, backplates & wings, reels, cannister lights etc.)
http://www.tauch-reisewelt.com/
import: Halcyon (backplates & wings, reels, cannister lights and more)
<www.submariner.de>
import: Dive Rite (backplates & wings, reels, cannister lights and more)
If I remember right, that's also the place for IANTD Germany.
Any of these places ought to be able to point you to a dealer where you can check the equipment out. If not, try the instructors who teach their use.
IANTD, ANDI, GUE and TDI all have representation in Germany, their instructors probably could help, too. Lastly, try to find divers that use the equipment. They'll be able to give you their insights on the equipment, and maybe even more important, the local customer service.

Good luck
Stefan

 

[Pio]

Stefan,

caveseeker7 once bubbled...
a lot of 'tech gear is available in Germany

Thanks a lot!

Jens