Plastic bolt snaps and other snap questions

[*Floater*]

Okay, I'll order a bunch of SS snaps this weekend though I'm still not completely convinced that the plastic ones wouldn't work better for some light weight items such as small lights, 2nd stage, wetnotes, etc. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[PerroneFord]

Floater, here is the thing, at least from my perspective...

You KNOW stainless steel won't break. You KNOW it won't have issues if someone drops a tank on it. It's a sure bet. Why take the risk on plastic? Just to save a couple of bucks? I have small SS snaps for my backup light, primary reg, spg, and stuff to go in my pocket. I don't worry about any of them. And never will. For my money, there are dozens of things to worry about when you are underwater. Why let a few cheap plastic clips be one of them?

 

[Randy43068]

I'd suggest using ONLY stainless steel. Stainless won't rust, will not break, and last almost forever.

These are advertised as having rust resistant springs and they cost $16.35 for 10:

Overall length 2 3/4", width 1 ", overall thickness 1/2", Approximate hook size 1/2" X 3/8", Swivel hole size 1/4"

For rec diving to be used with a BP/wing setup, what do you think?

The alternative would be SS bolt snaps from reefscuba, tech diving limited, or some other place, but those cost a lot more.

If you know any really great deals for these, then please share. For SS snaps, this place has the best deals I've seen.

 

[*Floater*]

Floater, here is the thing, at least from my perspective...

You KNOW stainless steel won't break. You KNOW it won't have issues if someone drops a tank on it. It's a sure bet. Why take the risk on plastic? Just to save a couple of bucks? I have small SS snaps for my backup light, primary reg, spg, and stuff to go in my pocket. I don't worry about any of them. And never will. For my money, there are dozens of things to worry about when you are underwater. Why let a few cheap plastic clips be one of them?

I'm not that worried about the "high strength plastic" breaking when used with wetnotes or 2nd stage. Also, I like the fact that plastic snaps are lighter than SS ones. But the "rust resistant spring" potentially not being rust resistant is of concern to me.

I just feel that plastic snaps may be getting a raw treatment here from people that probably have never used them... If I ever order from that plastic snap site, then I'll pick up a few of their snaps as well for comparison, but right now I'll go with SS snaps since they are tried and tested as you point out.

 

[jonnythan]

I've used plastic snaps for other various things and have broken so many of them I would never even consider using something like that on my gear.

Why use something that's "disposable" after it breaks, and you KNOW they will eventually break, when something that's virtually 100% foolproof and will NOT break is available?

 

[*Floater*]

I've used plastic snaps for other various things and have broken so many of them I would never even consider using something like that on my gear.

Why use something that's "disposable" after it breaks, and you KNOW they will eventually break, when something that's virtually 100% foolproof and will NOT break is available?

Thanks, that's the type of feedback I was hoping for. If people have had bad experiences with plastic snaps, then I agree they should be avoided.

 

[Snowbear]

I just feel that plastic snaps may be getting a raw treatment here from people that probably have never used them...

Actually, I have used (and broken) plastic snaps and other parts, light weight keepers.
As I said before, I'll stick with stainless where possible for my gear.