Is it easy to hire a pony bottle anywhere you have been?

[Centrals]

I do not have any desire to hire one but the thread "Is there a valid reason for a pony bottle" seems to generate a lot of interesting and personal remark.

Most of the operators that I came across did not have any for hire. Those who have small tanks are mainly for deco purposes and I had never enquired if they would not mind to fill with air or lean nitrox.

 

[BlueTrin]

From my limited experience in the UK, I have not seen one for rent in any of the inland centres I have been and not seen the option in the few other non inland centres I have been to.

Doubles are quite popular in the UK, so maybe that's why we do not see so many pony bottles ?

Another thread but very old:
Pony Bottle: to rent or to own

 

[Diving Dubai]

Twice I've been able to access normal size ponies (AL 30/40)

As a push I've slung an AL 80 - provided free in two places.

Now for travelling I negate the whole pony thing as well as requesting a larger cylinder by taking my Side Mount. Never been charge extra never had any hassles.

 

[Johnoly]

...Most of the operators that I came across did not have any for hire. ....

I don't think its the actual tank that is the problem with many operators since most have various size tanks.
The problem is the rigging, like most won't have a brass ring under the valve pre-installed.

But if you both communicated a pre-agreed tank size and then brought your own rigging like hose clamps, I think you could find 90% of the operators in the world could get you a tank to use as a pony. Prior Communication is the key.

 

[Fastmarc]

Since one is now a part of my dive gear for every dive, my thought is that prior to going to a destination dive location, I will contact them to see if they have a pony (in my case a 19cf) I can rent for the duration. If they do I'll just disassemble my rigging and carry with me. It would only be filled once for when I received it since the air will not be used.
If it's a popular dive operation I would imagine they must have. Failing that I would be forced to carry my own, but would prefer not to.
As others have said just call before.

 

[bamafan]

They are not readily available in most places. If you want to have a redundant supply sidemount to me makes a much better easily available option. The minimalist bc's are way smaller and lighter than an ow bc / backplate. It is a little more hassle on a boat vs backmount but it is easily doable with a little practice.

 

[2airishuman]

Of the places I've used, only Conch Republic rents them.

Most people who use them purchase their own. For air travel, you can drain them, remove the valve, and put them in your checked luggage.

 

[saxman242]

put them in your checked luggage.

or carry-on if you so desire

 

[caruso]

This thread is understandably going off topic, the question was asked about renting and now it's becoming about owning them, so I'll add my 2 cents while trying to keep the original topic in mind.

Advantages of renting- you don't have to lug it around or keep it current with VIP and Hydro or deal with having to get it filled before each dive trip that requires a plane trip.

Disadvantages- not available in many places, might not have the mounting option you prefer, and depending on how often you dive might cost way more to rent than to own and maintain.

 

[NAUI Wowie]

or carry-on if you so desire

to the O.P. ive never heard of being able to rent a pony and in fact its sometimes tough to get even a 100 instead of standard 80s.

I also have never heard of carrying on a pony bottle. Just disassemble and put in checked baggage. Is a disassembled pony allowed to be carried on?