New (vintage style) gear set up

[Aigtbootbp]

I am thinking setting up a set of dive gear and was wondering what the general opinion here is,
Here are the items.
backpack; (old style plastic)
Sea Elite Backpack Assembly @ Divers-Supply.com
BC; (horse collar type)
Sea Elite Horse Collar @ Divers-Supply.com
I would be using this with my modern regulator set (bungeed octo).
An extra benefit would be this looks great for travel since it would weigh less than my Zeagle stilletto.
So, what say you? Good idea or bad and if so are there any other considerations I need to make?

 

[herman]

You can pick up old BPs at yard sales and sometimes on ebay for $10-15, same goes for HC BCs so I see no need to buy new. If all you are trying to achieve is a low cost, lightweight travel BC then one of the modern travel BCs would likely better fit the bill....and have you ever dove a HC? They are a bit of pain IMO. Since you have a Zeagle already, look at the Express Tech. It will pack about the same size, HCs tend to be a little bulky.. weight less but cost around $100 more. It will also dive like you are use to and not get you the grief that a HC is likely to get you from shall we say.... uneducated dive ops. And for what it's worth, those type of BPs do not work well with double hose regs, just in case you had ideas of using it with them at a later date....with a little modification the ET does.
Oh and you can swap the bladders between the rigs...not sure what benefit that might be to you but you can do it.

 

[Aigtbootbp]

I already have an old plastic type backpack but it fits snugly on my old 6.9" diameter US Divers tank, I wouldn't think it could hold a modern 7.25" diameter AL80 like most dive operators (in Cozumel) use.
Ideally I would love to dive without a BC but I am damn sure that wouldn't be allowed by any of the those same operations. Heck, I would wear a snorkeling vest but I can't see that going over well either.
I really do like all my current gear I just want to put together a minimalist outfit. Be light and easy to travel with would simply be a side benefit.

oops, want to add the reason I am looking at a new BC is I have read a few stories about vintage ones having air bladder problems. I figure something new shouldn't give me any trouble and as for the backpack, well, upgrading my old one probably would cost as much (ok, maybe a few bucks less but still more of a hassle finding the parts) than buying a new one for 33 bucks.

 

[Nemrod]

I am thinking setting up a set of dive gear and was wondering what the general opinion here is,
Here are the items.
backpack; (old style plastic)
Sea Elite Backpack Assembly @ Divers-Supply.com
BC; (horse collar type)
Sea Elite Horse Collar @ Divers-Supply.com
I would be using this with my modern regulator set (bungeed octo).
An extra benefit would be this looks great for travel since it would weigh less than my Zeagle stilletto.
So, what say you? Good idea or bad and if so are there any other considerations I need to make?

That set should work out well for you and yes the horsecollar and standard backpack harness are very compact and light for travel.

I have a similar rig(s) and have used them with both double hose and single hose regulator systems.

Be careful if you are using the Hog style long hose that the long hose does not get trapped under the horsecollar BC.

Now, as to the horsecollar, I love them for tropical diving in minimal exposure protection with aluminum 80s, steel 72 etc but not with heavy exposure suits (and required offset weighting) and large, heavy, negative tanks.

IMO, I love the old military, Sea Hunt style harness for simple diving in a swimsuit and t shirt is wonderful but I will NOT ever attempt to use one with a horsecollar BC ever again. If I am going to use a BC with a military harness then a small wing like the Oxy Mach V is the way to go, vintage be danged! Function first, form second.

YRMV

N

 

[knowone]

Get a wire quick release for your chest strap.

 

[herman]

Yea, some of the older BPs will not fit on new tanks, I have made adapters for mine. A few bucks worth of parts and you can alternate between 72s and 80s. Some of the later ones will accomidate both sizes. The USD HCs looked great but their bladders were junk. The Seatec ones seem to hold up nicely, I have a couple of them. No BC is another reason to look at the ET. It takes only a couple of minutes and no tools (except 2 coins) to remove/install the bladder. Dive it a day or 2 with it on and then quietly remove it, odds are they will not notice and if they do, pull it out of your bag and install it.

 

[oldmossback]

I have a NEW OLD Stock twin manifold, j-reserve single post 3/4" necks; for sale over on the marketplace forum under tanks, bands etc.......if anyone is interested in setting up a vintage twin tank kit, this manifold has never been used........still has one of the thread protectors on it........

Oldmossback