Plastic Cam Bands?!?

[Danseur]

I've never used one except in OW on rented gear...

Ever broken one? Are there "good" ones?

I've always done stainless, but now am at the bleeding edge on my checked baggage weight. Considering options.

Thanks!

Justin

 

[tbone1004]

they're solid bricks of plastic. I've never seen one break

 

[RayfromTX]

I have seen broken pieces on the boat. They aren't all created equal but most I've seen are super strong. 'would take a lot to break one but a falling tank could do it.

 

[bamafan]

Why not use hose clamps?

 

[grf88]

I have broken one but it was pretty old at the time and may have been dropped a couple of times. Despite that I have no issue trusting them.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Never seen an issue with them

 

[northernone]

I've seen them break... I'm a fan of hose clamps. (also seen those break but with warning)

 

[rjack321]

The dive rite mini cam bands are metal but have significantly less metal than a 2" cam band and are quite light. Maybe try those?
Dive Rite Tank Strap, Narrow w/Low Profile Cam Buckle

 

[macado]

They do break but it seems to be rare. I've had 2 of them completely shatter on me.

First one was probably due to extreme sun and chlorine exposure (an old pool jacket BCD). The second time was when I left my BP/W in car overnight and showed up to dive site with 14F (-10C) air temperatures. As I was putting the BP/W on my tank when one of the plastic cam buckles completely shattered.

I prefer the stainless steel ones that @rjack321 posted but I mainly use hose clamps on my bailout and sidemount bottles.

 

[Danseur]

Clamps: It'll be a travel rig. Unknown bottle diameters at destination. Also prefer quick and tool-less installs for swapping cylinders.

I've seen crappy generic buckles break, but usually pool setting, cheap/old gear.

The DR slimline 1.5" straps I've been considering as I have a pair that I use for travel SM cylinders, but would need to dedicate, trim, and have velcro restiched to work on small bottles. Looks like a decent option, although I have like 5 spare unused plastic buckle straps.

DR also makes a "short" version of the stainless, but don't want to buy anything if I don't need to.