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that unfortunately doesn't surprise me. They are bloody good DSMB's, but they are not worth the price they're charging...
Need DSMB help
- Thread starter EireDiver606
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- ap diving dsmb halcyon halcyon gear smb
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that unfortunately doesn't surprise me. They are bloody good DSMB's, but they are not worth the price they're charging...
Jay
Need to dive more!
OP, if you haven't come across it here's a thread with a similar q that I had: DSMB & spool purchase - my considerations. Lots of good advice in there.
I went for a 40m AP reel and their Easyfil DSMB. For me it had a width and length (as well as overall size) that worked for the type of diving I typically do.
I've found it reasonably easy to launch (I have it all connected and also have a spare (& longer LPI) hose. launching (with it fully inflated) from 5m is slightly trickier as I'm very neutral at the end of a dive. 10m launch pre SS is much easier, and one reason why I like the LPI method is that it provides an additional filling reference (fixed time @ that depth), to have it perfectly inflated at the surface.
I went for a 40m AP reel and their Easyfil DSMB. For me it had a width and length (as well as overall size) that worked for the type of diving I typically do.
I've found it reasonably easy to launch (I have it all connected and also have a spare (& longer LPI) hose. launching (with it fully inflated) from 5m is slightly trickier as I'm very neutral at the end of a dive. 10m launch pre SS is much easier, and one reason why I like the LPI method is that it provides an additional filling reference (fixed time @ that depth), to have it perfectly inflated at the surface.
OP
EireDiver606
Contributor
I do understand
For practicing dsmb skills during fundies, 1m skinny Halcyon is best, as it is best suited for the technique taught on fundies.
During the course and for practicing a small dsmb is easier than a large one and you won't be deploying it deeper than a few meters.
So my best advice is to borrow a small Halcyon dsmb for the course and practicing and buy a "real one" later.
Halcyon inflate valve is better than many others for mouth inflation.
During the course and for practicing a small dsmb is easier than a large one and you won't be deploying it deeper than a few meters.
So my best advice is to borrow a small Halcyon dsmb for the course and practicing and buy a "real one" later.
Halcyon inflate valve is better than many others for mouth inflation.
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OP
EireDiver606
Contributor
LordElrond
Registered
Halcyon inflation valves don't require you to keep pressed the little round thing to inflate, you just exhale into them. I own the 6ft slim H dsmb and it's the only Halcyon product I have.
Waiting until after the course may be a good idea, since a DSMB larger than the 1mt one will make your life more difficult in 5 mt of water and you really don't need that
Waiting until after the course may be a good idea, since a DSMB larger than the 1mt one will make your life more difficult in 5 mt of water and you really don't need that
OP
EireDiver606
Contributor
Yes also my instructor said that in cold water it can be v hard to inflate by mouth.
He has also seen people pop their teeth out because others are spring loaded
He has also seen people pop their teeth out because others are spring loaded
Halcyon bags are rugged and designed well. I prefer using a 1 meter bag for teaching and training. It's easy to pull a 1 meter bag down after you launch it. This allows you to practice your technique by launching a bag multiple times on a single dive. Your buoyancy gets a workout as well. Takes work and talent to retrieve the bag without needing to surface. So, you might want to get a training bag and another bag for real dives. If you do lots of bag training on a smaller bag, don't forget to shoot the real one as often as you need so you can deploy it with ease.
OP
EireDiver606
Contributor
I’ve only launched an smb twice and it was on my fundies course.
I didn’t make any big mistakes involving the smb deployment but of course my buoyancy and trim could have been slightly better.
Through the course I was taught to keep eye contact with my team while doing all drills. This was especially helpful during the smb deployment as the smb deployment is considered heavy taskloading and if you keep eye contact, you subconsciously stay neutrally buoyant and at the same depth if your team is. It’s so much easier if you have a good diver in new front of you with team skills.
It’s a really good way of doing things.
I didn’t make any big mistakes involving the smb deployment but of course my buoyancy and trim could have been slightly better.
Through the course I was taught to keep eye contact with my team while doing all drills. This was especially helpful during the smb deployment as the smb deployment is considered heavy taskloading and if you keep eye contact, you subconsciously stay neutrally buoyant and at the same depth if your team is. It’s so much easier if you have a good diver in new front of you with team skills.
It’s a really good way of doing things.
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