Pony Bottle Question

[Jeff Toorish]

I know there are some other threads on this, but I haven't seen one that specifically addresses this question...

I think slinging a pony bottle in the same manner as a stage bottle makes sense. I am always open to other ideas, though. I know a lot of people carry pony bottles attached to their main tank. That seems an inconvenient method to me, and I like the idea of having it to my side, where I can see it.

Just looking for opinions on this.

Safe Diving

Jeff

 

[wedivebc]

I agree it makes more sense than attaching to your main tank. Also you can pass it off to an OOA diver if need be.

 

[shooter226]

I just ordered a Zeagle Razor for a pony bottle. It's a first stage valve combo. The inside is a piston design. Super compact.

Now I have to decide on either aluminum or steel for the tank. I ordered both thinking that I will sell the one I don't like.

 

[Tod]

Okay, I'll toss my thoughts in just to round out the mix...

I often use a pony bottle when I dive - even when I dive with others. For me, the pony is just another safety measure for me. I don't plan to use it and I don't dive in confined areas (mostly open water recreational dives). As such, I prefer mine attached to my main tank so it's out of the way. Yes, I cannot see it or "keep an eye on it" but I am rather confident that if I need it, it will be there and in a ready state. I check it before I don my rig and I often will check it early in the dive (just to make sure it's working).

There are many who will state all the "bad" things about having a pony on your back and I suspect for some (techies or wreck divers) this may be true. But for the recreational diver, I will argue that it's an easy bit of gear to add to your set-up that may prove to be really helpful someday.

I have a simple bracket that my upper tank strap slides through and sits with a low profile (if I am not using the pony - or it can be quickly removed). The pony itself has a band that holds the bottle (no hose clamp) and fits onto the bracket and is held by a pair of quick-release pins. The pins are sandwiched between the main tank and the pony. In theory, another diver could pull the pin and remove the bottle if need be. Although it is not intended to be for any quick exchanges, the bracket is called the Quick Draw. http://www.quickdrawbracket.com/SETUPS.ivnu

The pony (19 c.f.) does sit off to one side. Toward the end of the dive, when my main tank gets low and the pony starts to become noticable off to the one side, I can then slide my weight belt around a little to compensate for its weight. It's no biggie (sometimes I don't even bother).

Again, in my use, the pony is not intended to extend my bottom times it's only a back-up. I use this when I solo dive and when dive with a buddy.

 

[eandiver]

After trying out several main tank mounts I found the Quick Draw to be the best by far. Then I started slinging it under my left arm and that seemed to work out even better.

 

[markfm]

I'm another QuickDraw fan. I balance the pony weight with a 2-pound tank weight in a pouch, no trim issue.
For open-water diving it works absolutely fine. I always use it, no hassles. In my case the pony is mounted inverted, the valve side down. I dive it fully charged, valve open, but if a problem cropped up I drop my right hand down and the tank valve is immediately in front of the LP hose.
(Some say "tO-mA-tO", others say "tO-mah-tO" -- do whatever works for you, be consistent.)

 

[spectrum]

I'm another QuickDraw fan. I balance the pony weight with a 2-pound tank weight in a pouch, no trim issue.

That makes a lot of sense since the buoyancy of the pony will almost always be a constant. Most but not all divers have 2 pounds they can afford to move around.

Pete

 

[matt_unique]

Most discussions about pony bottles are about how to mount it....you should find tons from a search.

 

[Jeff Toorish]

Thanks All,

I have a weight integrated BC, but I could use the back pockets for counterbalance, just weight the pocket on the opposite side of the pony with an additional couple of pounds.

Jeff

 

[jonnythan]

I will flat out say that having a pony on your back is more dangerous than not having a pony at all.

If you carry a pony, you need to be able to monitor and manipulate the tank valve, see the first stage, and monitor the tank pressure.