Pony Bottle

[coldsmoke]

Hi All,

I think I have read all of the posts with regards to pony bottles this site has to offer and I still need some help choosing. I guess I should start by explaining my typical diving and see what advice some of you have.

I am thinking of getting a pony for reasons of redundancy/bail out. I understand that it's not true redundancy but I don't plan on using it for anything other than a safe ascent in case of failure of my single set-up. I dive open water, mostly lakes, but some salt water - no penetrations, overhead environments, etc. I figure that with the depths that I usually dive 100ish feet and less that a 19 cu ft is adequate. I have read the treads about a 30 or 40 being better however, because when and if I ever get into diving where I need stage bottles, I am that much closer.

I believe that to be a valid point and the cost of a 30 versus a 19 is a few dollars - so no big deal. But two issues lead me back to the 19. Traveling on airlines with a 19 seems like it's better and I think I want to back mount it. Now, please don't start by rehashing the slung vs. back mount argument. I think my preference right now is back mounted - I do realize that I don't have experience however either way - so I am willing to admit I may be wrong, but I guess I want to find that out for myself. So back to back mounting a 30. How much does that mess with trim and wing. I can't see it being much different than a 19 with respect to interfering with the wing, but it seems like it would really mess with trim. I did come across an idea to counter it with some weight on the opposite side of the tank.

I welcome all constructive comments and advice. Thanks in advance.

 

[markfm]

I went with a 19, which I've brought on 3 vacations, been glad to have it. I use a QuickDraw mount, also like it. The 19 fits in my dive bag cleanly, for air travel, but a 30 would be just enough larger to be a bit difficult.

My Instructor has a 30, I've never actually seen him use it.

Nothing against a 30, just my own, admittedly limited, experience. I don't sweat the you'll-need-it-for-stage-bottles comments. Scuba is a toys-intensive area, and if I ever get to needing deco bottles buying a 30 or 40 isn't going to be the straw that breaks the camel's back. I would still want my 19 for vacation travel.

Whatever you get, be sure to practice with it -- you want to be really comfortable with it, body memory stuff.

 

[Alex777]

Whew! You may get a hundred answers - all different - on this, but ...

I think a 19 cf. is adequate. I would prefer it slung, under the left armpit. And what do you mean by "I understand that it's not true redundancy"? You ARE going to mount a good quality reg on it, aren't you? (and an SPG, while you're at it) The idea is to have a fully redundant supply of gas.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

The 13 is FINE for 100 feet and no deco..a 30 cu-ft tank is much more of a pain!

 

[dirtpoor]

So back to back mounting a 30. How much does that mess with trim and wing. I can't see it being much different than a 19 with respect to interfering with the wing, but it seems like it would really mess with trim. I did come across an idea to counter it with some weight on the opposite side of the tank.

I dive with a 30 that I back mount for working puposes (see posts on the "other" pony bottle discussion in solo diving). I do not have a wing so no info there but my pony is mounted on my right shoulder and I am right handed. I really do not even notice that I have a pony anymore. It took a few days of diving and adjustments to get it sorted out but i do not notice any balance problems. I have used weights but for trim on the bottom of the tank in order to keep my butt down when I am at the end of a dive. I am seriously negative bouyant on purpose.

Cheers and safe diving,

Sandy

 

[divemaster_jim]

It won't make you a lopsided diver if that's what your worried about,
I'd suggest using a counter weight on the opposite side of your main tank to offset your pony, You may need to move it up or down a bit to obtain your trim.
And like everyone will tell you, get lots of practice with it.

 

[RICHinNC]

Got the 13....wish I had the 19. Mount it how ever you like it.....I did the ponease bottle mount so it would fit any bc....even though I travel with my bp and wing all the time.

 

[ottomatik]

Last year I had to make the same decision. I bought the 19 and I sling. The really hard part was which reg.

 

[Web Monkey]

I am thinking of getting a pony for reasons of redundancy/bail out. I understand that it's not true redundancy but I don't plan on using it for anything other than a safe ascent in case of failure of my single set-up.

It's not redundant only in the sense that the tank isn't the same size as your main tank. Other than that it's completely seperate.

Traveling on airlines with a 19 seems like it's better and I think I want to back mount it. Now, please don't start by rehashing the slung vs. back mount argument. I think my preference right now is back mounted - I do realize that I don't have experience however either way - so I am willing to admit I may be wrong, but I guess I want to find that out for myself.

You're welcome to do it any way you want, however I will say that if you back mount it and do something wrong (like not turning it on), you're pretty much scr****, so you may not get a lot of chances to try different configurations.

I'd suggest slinging it in the side, then if you don't like it, you can always move it to wherever you want.

So back to back mounting a 30. How much does that mess with trim and wing. I can't see it being much different than a 19 with respect to interfering with the wing, but it seems like it would really mess with trim. I did come across an idea to counter it with some weight on the opposite side of the tank.

A 19 traves nicely, although you'll need to empty it and remove the valve each time you fly. A 30 is harder to fly with, but holds a bunch more gas, so the choice is yours.

The whole thing with the reg will run about 2 - 3 pounds negative (if you sling it). Not sure what it would be with a bracket. You'll need to toss 2 or 3 pounds into a trim pocket on the opposite side, or take 2 or 3 pounds out of the weights on the side with the tank.

As for trim, if you're using a wing with a back-mounted pony, it's going to interfere with wing inflation and will reduce lift on the side where it's blocking the bladder.

A hard-mounted pony essentially becomes lop-sided doubles on a single tank wing.

Terry

 

[Nemrod]

The 19 travels easily and is adequate for 100 foot plus depths for a solo diver. A pony is a fully redundant system so I don't understand that statement. Yes you will have to empty the bottle for travel, get a whip to put pressure back in so the dive shops don't try to charge you for a VIP. N