Pony Setup

[Troy32]

Hello,

This is one of my my first posts but I have been following the board for a few months. I live on Long Island NY and mainly do wreck diving. I want to start using a pony setup just in case anything goes wrong. We dive in water as low as 36 degrees in the winter. I would like a 13 Cu Ft bottle slung from the 2 lower D rings on my BC. I love the Zeagle Razor first stage that screws right into a standard scuba tank as it takes up a lot less room and ways less than a standerd first stage and K valve. The only problem is that the Zeagle Razor is not environmentally sealed.

What other first stage screws right into a standard scuba tank and is environmentally sealed?

Any ideas on how to sling a 13 Cu Ft pony from the 2 lower D rings of my BC?

Where can I buy a 13 Cu Ft pony bottle in a color other than bright yellow?

I am set on 13 Ct Ft as it only needs to get me up from 100ft safely. I do not go into the wrecks.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Even though you don't go into the wrecks, other issues can occur. There is fishing ling around a lot of the wrecks. Getting entangled in line could cause a greater need for gas than a 13cf can provide. Also, in a real situation, your SAC is likely to increase. I realize you say you're set on the 13cf, but I'd really reconsider that. Personally, I wouldn't take anything smaller than a 30cf.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Ditto. Wreck diving inthose conditions can result in delays that may exceed the capcity of a 13 cu ft tank.

I also agree a 30 or 40 makes more sense, especially if you are slinging it. You won't notice the difference between a slung 13 and a slung 30 - except that the 30 is long enough to accomodate a 40" hose while a 13 is far too short.

Personally I am not a big fan of integrated tank valve/first stages. It adds complication and solves a problem that does not exist.

Instead I'd get a DIN/K valve, and then use a small first stage like a Scubapro Mk 2 or perhaps a Mk 17. The Mk 17 is sealed and is the best cold water first stage currently available, but the Mk 2 is also extremely reliable in very cold water even though it is unsealed. The Mk 2 is also a very simple and near bullet proof design that is well suited to pony or deco reg use.

 

[Troy32]

I understand your reasoning but I know I would never us a pony if it was that big and bulky. I figure a 13 will easily get me up from 100ft if my main tank malfunctions with a safety stop. That is my biggest concern diving without a completely redundant system. I also have a good buddy so it is a second backup. Thanks for the reply

 

[Nemrod]

Dont get a 13, they are to short and fat to sling nicely. The 19 is much better side slung, the geometry just works better. I know this from actual attempts with a buddy.

If you don't like yellow they make spray paint. Spray it with bedliner---lol.

N

 

[Troy32]

Aquamaster

I am not too familier with integrated tank valves. I just came across the zeagle razor and figured it would be less complicated as it is one solid piece and eliminates the possibility of blowing an o ring on the K valve which from what I read is the one of the most common issues. You said they add complications. Can you Please elaborate. Thanks

 

[Troy32]

If you see the add on the left of the screen for the amphibious fins they show a public safety diver that has a red 13 CuFt nicely slung pony on the lower D rings of his BC. It just seems to be out of the way

 

[NudeDiver]

FWIW, I too am looking into a pony setup. Check out the Tec Diving / Public Safety Diver sub-forum for that thread.

I got convinced to go with a 19 over a 13. It's not much bigger physically, but you get 45% more gas. It's also still small enough to carry on the plane with you, if needed.

I got a used regulator set. After it is serviced, I will use the first and second on this pony, and use the octo on my main regulator set (replacing the Air 2 it now has).

I'm planning on a 19cf pony and one of those quick release brackets. It's expensive, but it's what I want.

good luck!
nd

p.s.: I too wouldn't get a pony if it had to be a 30 or bigger to be useful. I think it's overkill for my purposes.

 

[Dive-aholic]

I slung a 30 in the Bahamas for some recreational wreck diving. I hardly even noticed it being there. Before you spend the money, rent some tanks and try out the different sizes. You might be surprised.

As for bloing an o-ring, they're cheap and small. Easy enough to carry around in a save a dive kit. I have a pill box full of several different sizes that goes with me everywhere.

 

[Troy32]

I understand that o rings are cheap and easy to replace but if it blows at a hundred feet I would no longer have a redundant system. It seems to me that a one piece first stage would be more reliable