Bob,
I don't believe my thread was a loser from the get go. It was sincere. I simply was asking what I might be doing wrong. If I were to ask how come my can light wouldn't fire today... it really didn't fire, BTW... that wouldn't mean that I think Howard made me a worthless light and it wouldn't be unprofessional to ask the question in an open forum. People too often jump to conclussions.
I didn't personally ask Tobin because he has sorta been on my case as of late and I didn't feel comfortable asking him. This is the same reason that I jumped at the chance to buy it from John... even though I should have bought it directly from Tobin long ago when I bought my first DSS plate. I simply didn't feel comfortable sending Tobin the check when he has been so unfair to me in many of his recent postings.
If you would read the OP you will see that there were no accusations made... explicit or implicit. It never occurred to me that it would be "unprofessional" of me to ask my question. Other than the 'assumption' that I am bashing DSS gear just where exactly did I say anything or even remotely suggest anything like that? The question is rhetorical. Some of you have just assumed that I was taking an underhanded cheap shot. Even the pics weren't inserted to make DSS gear look bad. Some of you just assumed that.
I didn't say this gear is crap. In fact, I was quite positive and even complimented some things that I found particularly nice. I didn't say that no one should buy the DSS rig because it flops around... I said that I was having difficulty getting it as tight and secure as my STAs allow. It really did move and I was having some trouble sorting it out. The photos were an honest representation of what was happening. As it stands now I got it pretty good and I made that admission... as humbling as that was to do.
In my defense, I will say that it was my impression that the cambands on a DSS rig didn't need to be winched down so tight. I have always thought that the wedge blocks were designed for that purpose. (Recall past threads about whether or not SS buckles are needed.) I did lock them down pretty tight. I tried several times to get them tight enough that the plate would not twist. Finally, after laying the thing down on the plate I got the bands tight enough that there isn't any significant movement. (The position of the velcro probably is not what improved the situation but it did get me on the right track) But this isn't something that I usually do... I usually lock my bands with the tank upright. Even now I don't like the idea of laying the rig down to lock them in place... but until things work themselves out that's what I'll do. I suspect as the newness of the rig evaporates I'll quit worry about it. And I still think an STA offers some real advantages... even for a DSS rig.
Also, no one has considered the 'possibility' that there may indeed be something going on with my rig. Is it impossible to imagine that my wedge blocks might be worn and are allowing the late to slide unless the cambands are locked extraordinarily tight? Is it possible that the rubber STA thing might also be worn or for what other reason not doing its job like it used to? There are still a lot of possibilities.
I find it really odd that this was blown so out of proportion. It must be an internet forum phenomenon. It isn’t fun. If my desire was to smear anyone or their product I wouldn't have swallowed my pride and admitted that I got my problem fixed by tightening the bands! If my intent was to smear then I probably would have actually said something ... NEGATIVE.
I have been more than fair and have made no accusations. This whole matter needlessly exploded and a lot of what I've read is simply hyperbole, untruths, over-reaction, assumptions and paranoia. If anyone has been the victim of a smear, it has been me.
then. If you have a real problem or concern you should PM Tobin and he will be more then helpfull although I think you may have ruined that route. To people who have read some other threads this will be obvious. Unfortunatly not all have, so to them Stephens comments maybe off-putting and that is sad. That is the reason I'm jumping in here, because I don't want people to be put off because of what is said in this thread. What I have said above is simply my truthfull experience. Done my rant. Good night.
