Pony's best configuration?

[WreckWriter]

jonnythan once bubbled...
I'll probably try to pick up a 13 or 19cf next summer and sling it off the left side, see how that goes. I much prefer the mechanics of that over tank mounting.

Jonny, if you're going to sling mount, and yes, you should, you want to go with a bigger bottle. I recommend a 30 or 40 aluminum. The longer bottle will ride better as well as giving you a much more adaquate emergency gas supply.

Tom

 

[jonnythan]

WreckWriter once bubbled...


Jonny, if you're going to sling mount, and yes, you should, you want to go with a bigger bottle. I recommend a 30 or 40 aluminum. The longer bottle will ride better as well as giving you a much more adaquate emergency gas supply.

Tom

That's something to think about. Thanks.

 

[WreckWriter]

The price difference between a 15 and a 40 will only be a few bucks, maybe even exact same price. Really no disadvantages to the large size at all in my opinion.

Tom

 

[jonnythan]

WreckWriter once bubbled...
The price difference between a 15 and a 40 will only be a few bucks, maybe even exact same price. Really no disadvantages to the large size at all in my opinion.

Tom

I also didn't realize Al 40's were less negatively buoyant than the 19's (0.8 lbs!). Definitely seems like the way to go. I'll probably be buying a pair of 104's around the same time and rent Al 80's when I do river dives. Chances are I'll be looking into trying or buying a BP and wings because this will give me a much more stable way to mount the bottle.. and the more I dive the more I want the crotch strap

This is an expensive sport...

 

[WreckWriter]

It sure is. Just wait til you get into tech. Everything basically doubles in price and quantity needed. Not to mention weight....

Tom

 

[redacted]

I use a tank mount (ultimate pony bracket) which is rock steady and meets my primary objective of a redundent air source for solo diving. I already had an extra SPG and air is on when I go in.

BUT, I can see clear advantages to the sling mount. If you are carring a pony as a backup for an OOA diver, then the ability to hand it off is desirable. Also, it would be much easier to rig and handle when diving from small boats where the dive masters tend to handle all gear. When I trade my BC for BP/wings, I will probably give a sling mount a try.

BTW, I also use a 13. I am confident it contains all the air I need to abort a dive and safely get to the surface for the kind of diving I do. And it is almost unnoticable in the hard mount, SPG attached to my primary console, and reg on a bungee necklace.

 

[WreckWriter]

if I were using a little bottle I might go tank mount too. I really don't see any advantage to doing it that way and see so many advantages to a larger bottle, sling mounted.

Keep in mind though that mine are not "ponies" but deco bottles with EANx 50 and 100% O2. My backup gas supply is in my doubles and my buddie's doubles.

Tom

 

[Friggincold]

The best place to put the band aid for poor dive planning/gas management/buddy skills is mounted like a stage bottle under your arm ....:cold:

 

[Spectre]

I picked up a 19 cuft bottle. I originally had it mounted with sort of a make-shift method [search my posts for 'pony' and you'll find the threads]. I found the "Q-Connect" by kohrsystems and it was perfect, so I went with that, and as a result, was diving with my pony on most every dive.

When I got my BP and wings, the straps didn't allow for a stable mount of my pony upside-down on my back. I tried it [out of the water] right-side up, but I didn't like not being able to reach the valve.

So I went with a stage rigging. Now I dive with it on every dive, and I hardly notice it [except when I try to reach across my body with my left hand].

In hindsight however, I would have purchased an AL40. A friend of mine is thinking about picking up a pony, and I'm thinking of unloading this on him [if I don't think of a use for it... argon? probably to big. O2 kit? possibly....] and picking up a 40 instead.

 

[WreckWriter]

Spectre once bubbled...
II'm thinking of unloading this on him [if I don't think of a use for it... argon? probably to big. O2 kit? possibly....] and picking up a 40 instead.

Too big for argon (marginally, could work I guess), too small for emergency O2. Sell it and get your 40.

Tom