Seaquest / Suunto Console Attachment

[TexasMike]

Originally posted by Blargh
Just out of idle dumb curiosity here .... my excuse being that I'm bored at work...

"pretty strong magnets" ? on compass ? pray tell what happens to your navigation skills....

Ah heck, you just follow the needle where ever it points!

Guess it's what they say, it's all in the details.


But I'm also thinking of doing what L_D was discussing: just having the SPG at the end of the hose and go with a compass on one wrist and computer/bottom timer on the other. Like my instructor said once, you always know where your hands are.

Consoles are good for many divers, but I'm starting to desire to get away from them.

 

[omaha diver]

GP is exactly right on the configuration of my console. I just checked out the seaquest webite, and it looks like they updated the console design with a large connection point at the top (like most other brands have). The one we have just has a couple of small eyelets on the back. You can put a key-ring style connection on it, or feed a nylon tie through both of them and connect a clip, neither are very pretty, but seem to work.
I was thinking about one of the Cetacea product that uses a cord and one of those sliding spring-loaded clips. The cord could go around the body of the console (between compass and computer). You would then need one of those quick clips to attach to the bc.
Also thought about taking two of the screws out of the body of the console and attaching a connection made out of stainless, but this seems like a lot of work.
Thanks to all for the great advice!
Omaha Diver

 

[Dee]

OD, I use a Cetacea retractor with my Oceanic DMPP. I looked at quite a few retractors and dismissed them all because, like you said, by the time everything was connected, it hung almost to my waste. Part of that was the retractor wasn't strong enough to hold the computer without running out part of the line. I finally came across this Cetacea high force mini model (BCMRC2-HF) that has a split ring on the bottom and a plastic clip (being replaced shortly with a brass one) on the top. The whole thing, end to end is only 8 in. long. It has a lock on it but I've never had to use it. It's attached to my upper right shoulder D-ring which puts the computer about chest high. I can glance down and see all the info I need but when I need the compass, it's easy to stretch out with plenty of room for use. The only thing I dislike about this set-up is if you're going to come out of your BC and hand it up to the boat, you have to remember to unclip it from your right shoulder first! It works OK on the left side but is easier to see at a glance when on the right.

Originally posted by omaha diver
.....I was thinking about one of the Cetacea product that uses a cord and one of those sliding spring-loaded clips. The cord could go around the body of the console (between compass and computer). You would then need one of those quick clips to attach to the bc.
Omaha Diver

Cetacea has a model of retrator that has this cord/lanyard type thing you're talking about (BCMRC7) but it's one of the low force ones which probably isn't strong enough for the weight of your computer. Instead of the lanyard/cord type thing, you could use some black surgical tubing that a split ring could attach to.

Yes, I'm looking at the 2002 Cetacea catalog! HTH

Sorry, tried a photo attachment but can't get it small enough. ;-0

 

[Warhammer]

Originally posted by TexasMike

WH... The Cetacea high force appears long enough. At worst, I might take it apart and see if I can add a longer string to it.

But I also agree that my current bolt snap zip-tied to the console is a very good "low-tech" solution.

LOL! You miss understood. I didn't say long enough, I said strong enough. Meaning that the springs inside them aren't strong enough to keep the line from feeding out by itself, if you attach something heavy to it like a console. The gripper I tried was the best of the bunch that I tried, and it still allowed approximately 3 to 4 inches of slack in the line. But I haven't tried the Cetacea. Like you I dislike my console/Cobra more each time I dive it. I'll probably end up selling it and opting for a wrist mount computer, BC mount compass, and a SPG.

 

[large_diver]

WH,

What is a "BC mount compass"?

-LD

 

[Iguana Don]

Dive computers and magnets don't mix. You will erase the chip, not a wise move.

ID

 

[Warhammer]

Originally posted by large_diver
WH,

What is a "BC mount compass"?

-LD

LOL! Wy it's a compass that mounts on a BC, Large_Diver. What else did you think it was? LOL!

Seriously, I was refering to the Suunto SK7. As in mounting one on a small retractor and attaching it to my BC. I've seen this before and it looks like it works great.

 

[divernva]

I have the Cobra/SK-7 combo, and prefer to position the console on my shoulder strap so I can glance down to see the computer. To navigate with the compass, I pull the console away from my shoulder strap. Attaching to the loop of the SK-7 allowed the console to twist around, but attaching closer to the hose (the Cobra housing has nifty eyelets that worked well) provides a little more control. A piece of bungee cord and bolt snap was all I needed. This was fine, but I found there wasn't enough bungee to extend the console away from my body. Threading the bungee cord through a 1-2 inch piece of vinyl hose between the bolt snap and console fixed this issue. The vinyl tubing also helped the console "snap" back to nearly the correct position, just needed to increase tension on the bungee threaded through the tubing. Bolt snap takes a little practice with gloves on... but if you use them enough it becomes a pretty natural motion.

I made the same contraption for my girlfriend who rents regs from the LDS. It works pretty well on most consoles... really depends on where you "grab" the console. As with all contraptions, just have to use a little creativity to get the right results.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[large_diver]

WH,

Ask a stupid question.....;-)

I've actually never seen someone with a compass mounted to their BC.

-LD

 

[TexasMike]

Originally posted by Warhammer
LOL! You miss understood. I didn't say long enough, I said strong enough.

Ahhh...I see....

Thus continuing the theory that it doesn't matter how long the retractor is.....

(My WH, what large feet and hands you have!)

--TM