Replacement tank strap for BCD?

[Georgia bubble blower]

Hello everyone. I am badly in need of a replacement strap for my BCD. I would really like to replace my current plastic cam buckle strap with a stainless steel Scubapro style hinged buckle. There is my problem. I know that at one time not too long ago I saw where Dive Rite Express sold these but I just checked and although they still show the picture on the page they do not list it as being for sale. I plan on giving them a call to see what they can tell me but just in case can anyone suggest another place I might find one? Local LDS wasn't much help. Thanks.

 

[ShoalDiverSA]

Hi there,

You can check out the following options:
Oxycheq (see the bottom of the page)
DiveRite

These aren't Scubapro buckles, but they should do the job. Mine are standard stainless steel buckles and they work really well.

The other ones I found in my quick search had plastic buckles.

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[Walter]

The third option (2-inch Tank Strap with Stainless Steel Hinged Buckle) on the DiveRite site is the same design as the Scubapro.

 

[Luc Dupas]

I would really like to replace my current plastic cam buckle strap with a stainless steel Scubapro style hinged buckle.

Just plain curiosity... why would you like to replace this plastic cam buckle strap (Mares-style I guess) with this ss Scubapro hinged buckle? I've used this Scubapro style buckle "for ages" (i.c. about 13 years) on my good old backpack and this buckle really is super great as long as you always dive with the same tanks and never have to adjust the site of the tank belt, and as long as it is not freezing cold outside...
As soon as e.g. you go on vacation where you dive with different tanks and possibly slightly different tanks and tank diameters every day, this Scubapro style thing is a real pain in the *** since adjusting the belt size is utterly inconvenient and akward... On the other hand, the Mares-style plastic cam buckle is so easy to use (for the last 750+ dives I'm using this kind of tank belt) and if you route the belt properly through the buckle (which unfortunately not everyone does!) it really holds your tank extremely well and it's a snap to adjust the belt size to different tanks. Personally I don't even want to consider to go back to the Scubapro style hinged buckle, and especially not in winter time when it's freezing cold and you're trying the close/open that nasty cold buckle with freezing cold fingers...

 

[ShoalDiverSA]

I must apologise, as I see now that I really did not answer your question. As Walter pointed out, the DR hinged buckle is the same design as the Scubapro unit. However, as you pointed out in your original post, they do not indicate price in the price list at the bottom of the page.

You are clearly looking for this design specifically. I can't help you in that case - sorry for the tangential response.

As an aside, I have received similar feedback to the post from Luc above from people who have the Scubapro design buckles. They are great if you always dive with the same tank size, but can be a pain when you rent cylinders, as you generally take what you get in terms of size (/diameter).

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[kidsdream]

Once set the ScubaPro type seem to clamp tighter.

I actually one of each type on (cam band top, ScubaPro type bottom) all my rigs including my wifes BC (I dive with BP & W's).

Why -- Two cam band types make it a bit harder to slide both enclosed bands down the tank. With the "open" SP type, you don't need to slide it down much.

Also for deep dives I mount my Pony to my tank with another Synch Strap (SP). With my set-up, I mount the Pony first and then just drop the BP over clamp the lower band and then tighten the uppers strap.

 

[Jarrett]

Here ya go:

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/sear...less+Steel+Cam+Latch+Tank+Strap&Submit=Search

 

[redacted]

Another option is to grab one of the older Scubapro BCDs from ebay for about $25. Perhaps less for one of the really ragged out BCs. This is only one I was available now. Price is not too bad and you get a good spare LPI with it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SCUBAPRO-SCUBA-...ryZ16053QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Georgia bubble blower]

Just plain curiosity... why would you like to replace this plastic cam buckle strap (Mares-style I guess) with this ss Scubapro hinged buckle? I've used this Scubapro style buckle "for ages" (i.c. about 13 years) on my good old backpack and this buckle really is super great as long as you always dive with the same tanks and never have to adjust the site of the tank belt, and as long as it is not freezing cold outside...

Well, I use my own tanks (steel 100's) and I dive mainly in West Palm Beach and the Keys so for right now it's really not a problem for me. Unfortunately, with three kids I can't afford to fly to exotic locations and dive but man do I look forward to the day I can. Oh what a glorious day that will be. Flying around with my wife to beautiful islands, diving, lounging on white sand beaches...Oh sorry, I went away to my happy place for a few seconds there.

Anyway, I just really prefer the ease of the Scubapro style hinged buckle when changing out tanks. It is just so much easier to me compared to the cam buckle.

I haven't had a chance to call Dive Rite yet to see what they have to say but I will. Plan on posting in their forum as well. Maybe i'll take a look on Ebay and see what I can find there.

I have never tried the stainless steel cam buckles I have seen offered by several manufacturers but I imagine they all work pretty much the same. But since i've never tried them i certainly could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.

Thanks to everyone for the help and the suggestions. i'll let you know what I find out.

 

[terrasmak]

Halcyon has a nice set available too.