Scubapro XTek Comfort harness - your feedback
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CT Sean
Contributor
I''ve never tried it but I personally prefer a simple 1 piece harness. The X-TEK Form (assume you are talking about the FORM, I don't see anything called a "comfort") is far more complicated and bulky than I want. Probably obvious, but I would not buy on for this reason. I also find the Scubapro X-TEK line grossly overpriced, compared to other popular BP/W manufacturers such as Dive Rite, HOG, Hollis, DSS, or even Halcyon, which is somewhat notoriously expensive.
Just a few issues I see with the FORM harness:
Way more padding than I'm interested in
Non-adjustable shoulder D-rings
No one needs 18 (18!) D-rings
Can't find a spec, but it's gotta be heavy as hell
Just a few issues I see with the FORM harness:
Way more padding than I'm interested in
Non-adjustable shoulder D-rings
No one needs 18 (18!) D-rings
Can't find a spec, but it's gotta be heavy as hell
I dive the "original" X-Tec harness and love it (the one made originally by Soniform for Dive Rite until Scubapro bought Soniform), but the new ones are different and I haven't tried them.
@Sean: thanks for the comments. I have been using occasionally an OMS IQ harness, which I felt very comfortable and comparable to the XTek Form/Comfort harness (in features and price). (while some sites refer it as Form (incl Scubapro.com, so you are absolutely right on this 
, others refer it as Comfort).
Regarding the number of D-rings, I agree that there are many and not all wil be used. This is more about having the D-ring at the good place when you need one.
What are "adjustable D-rings"?
, others refer it as Comfort).Regarding the number of D-rings, I agree that there are many and not all wil be used. This is more about having the D-ring at the good place when you need one.
What are "adjustable D-rings"?
@beaverdivers: what about cold water (I will usually use it in cold water) do you think that the harness will fit on top of a dry suit (if the diver uses usually L-sized models).
One of my "doubts" with this harness is the single sized model (compared to the OMS IQ, where you have diffent model sizes)
Any feedback appreciated.
One of my "doubts" with this harness is the single sized model (compared to the OMS IQ, where you have diffent model sizes)
Any feedback appreciated.
DevonDiver
N/A
I've never felt uncomfortable in a single-piece harness, even though I typically just dive in a rash guard and shorts. The name 'comfort' plays upon the natural (mis)perceptions of inexperienced divers that a basic harness is somehow inherently 'uncomfortable'. They are not. It's a marketing gimmick, to guide novice divers into paying more than they need to. Nice to see Beaverdivers (a Scubapro dealer) perpetuating that myth though..
All that padding is just extra weight needed on your belt... less space in your suitcase... and more bulk to deal with in the water. And, of course, less money in your wallet...
"Adjustable D-Rings' are what you get on a basic (single-piece harness). One set of d-rings in each location - you can move them up/down to exactly where you need them to be. 'Comfort style' harness have fixed d-rings... which will never serve everyone properly... so they have to add more fixed d-rings into a variety of locations to compensate for that inflexibility. In my mind, that fixing bad design with more bad design...
The most d-rings a diver will ever need is 6. One on each shoulder/chest, one on each hip, one front crotch strap (for scootering) and one rear crotch strap (for towing). You can break a world depth record with that, or go exploring the deepest caves. 18 d-rings is just another marketing appeal to those who don't know what features matter, by those who'd cynically sell them a more expensive option.
All that padding is just extra weight needed on your belt... less space in your suitcase... and more bulk to deal with in the water. And, of course, less money in your wallet...
"Adjustable D-Rings' are what you get on a basic (single-piece harness). One set of d-rings in each location - you can move them up/down to exactly where you need them to be. 'Comfort style' harness have fixed d-rings... which will never serve everyone properly... so they have to add more fixed d-rings into a variety of locations to compensate for that inflexibility. In my mind, that fixing bad design with more bad design...
The most d-rings a diver will ever need is 6. One on each shoulder/chest, one on each hip, one front crotch strap (for scootering) and one rear crotch strap (for towing). You can break a world depth record with that, or go exploring the deepest caves. 18 d-rings is just another marketing appeal to those who don't know what features matter, by those who'd cynically sell them a more expensive option.
The X-Tek form is a "comfort" harness in the sense of being a pivot ring harness rather than a 1 piece hogarthian style harness.
Unlike a DR or OMS comfort/pivot ring harness however, the D-rings on the shoulder straps are sewn to the harness rather than attached with tri-glides and as such they are not moveable and cannot be "adjusted" to the locations preferred by the diver. That makes them a lot less than optimal, and 1 well placed and adjustable D-ring on the shoulder is preferable to two non-adjustable D-rings on the shoulder. The other major difference is that the pivot rings on the DR and OMS harnesses are metal not a plastic fastex type pivot. I have my doubts how well it will hold up over time. Finally, the strap attachment is much like the Dive Rite transplate harness or the older Sherwood and Dacor crossover BP/wings. In general they all share the common trait of excessive complexity with no real benefit.
The small 1" D-rings on the back pad are a total waste of material as anything you might clip there would be better off clipped to holes in the plate anyway.
The plate itself is fine, and in that regard Scubapro's X-Tek Pure Tek harness is great and is basically a Halcyon plate with a normal 1 piece Hogartian harness. I'd highly recommend that rather than the X-Tek Form. Scubapro has a bad habit of adopting flagship models that are over the top and less well suited to real world diving than their mid range models - the X-Tek Form is unfortunately not an exception to that trend.
Unlike a DR or OMS comfort/pivot ring harness however, the D-rings on the shoulder straps are sewn to the harness rather than attached with tri-glides and as such they are not moveable and cannot be "adjusted" to the locations preferred by the diver. That makes them a lot less than optimal, and 1 well placed and adjustable D-ring on the shoulder is preferable to two non-adjustable D-rings on the shoulder. The other major difference is that the pivot rings on the DR and OMS harnesses are metal not a plastic fastex type pivot. I have my doubts how well it will hold up over time. Finally, the strap attachment is much like the Dive Rite transplate harness or the older Sherwood and Dacor crossover BP/wings. In general they all share the common trait of excessive complexity with no real benefit.
The small 1" D-rings on the back pad are a total waste of material as anything you might clip there would be better off clipped to holes in the plate anyway.
The plate itself is fine, and in that regard Scubapro's X-Tek Pure Tek harness is great and is basically a Halcyon plate with a normal 1 piece Hogartian harness. I'd highly recommend that rather than the X-Tek Form. Scubapro has a bad habit of adopting flagship models that are over the top and less well suited to real world diving than their mid range models - the X-Tek Form is unfortunately not an exception to that trend.
freeclimbmtb
Contributor
I jumped right into a 1 piece harness after only 60 or so dives in my career, I find it MORE comfortable than a jacket.
@OP: Adjustable D-rings would be ones that are held in place by stainless steel keepers or "tri-glides".
This allows the d-ring to be adjusted up or down the webbing to fit EXACTLY where you want it. As opposed to being stiched permanantly in place.
@OP: Adjustable D-rings would be ones that are held in place by stainless steel keepers or "tri-glides".
This allows the d-ring to be adjusted up or down the webbing to fit EXACTLY where you want it. As opposed to being stiched permanantly in place.
I agree w/ DA. Go with the Scubapro X-Tek Pure Tek for a drysuit.
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