Setup and Configuration Ideas?

[SPG3K]

Ok, with the risk of sounding like a really large newb, I have to ask this question because there HAS to be a better way to accomplish what I am doing than my current method.

The problem I need to solve is that I have s**t...well, everywhere.

I'm going to get one of the Atomic second stage/inflater combos, because I'm sick of the hose and the clutter on my right side.

Having said that - here is what I currently go down with, and why it is bothering me.

I dive a Sherwood Avid, I love the BC, it has 4 d-rings on the top of the chest, and 4 one the bottom edge of the BC, 2 front, 2 back. On the right side, I have the Octo holder on the lower chest D-ring, and a second Octo holder for my primary when I'm not wearing the BCD (so it doesn't scrape on the boat deck, dock, etc.)

On the left, the power inflator gets in the way of the D-rings fairly easily and that in turns means that accessories on the left chest D-rings get in the way of the power inflater.

I usually put my aluminum 150' reel on the lower left D-ring, and my big Princeton primary light on the lower right D-ring.

So far, this hasn't been an issue, underwater I don't really notice the stuff, since I don't click it all on until I'm about to jump in. But it just feels like there is stuff hanging all over me.

Now I've added a strobe to my camera, which I previously just carried in a housing on a wrist lanyard.

I'm planning to attach the housing somehow to the right side D-rings, but that means I will literally be dangling 3 possibly damaging items to a reef.

There HAS to be a better way than what I am doing.

Maybe a military-esque thigh rig pouch, or a better way to stow things against the BC. I've been trying to think of a better way to work it out but I'm kinda stumped. I am going to Brigade Quartermaster tomorrow (military/LEO shop) to see about the thigh pouch.

I figure my light, at least, could rest in the pouch and not dangle.

I have to keep the reel out though, especially if I'm shooting photos, that way I can hook the anchor line and not worry about getting lost in the pictures and being 500' from the boat.

The pockets on the BC are not big enough to hold my primary light (Shockwave LED) without making it extremely uncomfortable when air is in the bladder. The pockets certainly will not hold the reel.

Forgive my use of the word - but I know my gear is stroke-ish. I'm slowly trying to put together a better setup. the Jacket BC will be first to go. But for now, I have to work with what I've got. And I know someone will have a better idea for me.

 

[ucfdiver]

You mention getting some extra gear to fix your problem, so here's my solution.

Switch to a bp/w standard HOG setup.

Backup lights can be secured out of the way into your chest drings and the bottom secured with a cut piece of bike inner tube. (look carefully at the diver below)

The reel can go on the crotch strap as you see in the picture below (my hip dring is too low, ignore the hanging spg)

Getting your hose routing right sounds like an issue you're interested in as well. Have you tried a 5 or 7ft hose? Here's how it routes (in your case, instead of going under the can light, you would stuff the slack in your waist band). You could then get a very short hose for your backup 2nd stage and keep it around your neck (you would donate your primary).

Your dive tables, wet notes, safety spools, etc can go in a thigh pocket.

As for your inflater hose, get a shorter one. Most every BC on the market today comes with one that's way too long.

Also ditch the drings you don't need. I find 1 on each shoulder is key, that way I don't constantly find myself fiddling trying to figure out what dring I clipped this or that off to.


For the camera and strobe, the best thing I've seen is connecting a bolt snap to the strobe to your right chest dring, and a bungee with a bolt snap to the hip dring coming off the camera to keep it tight. I haven't tried this (I don't do photography), but when I saw it, I thought it was a really good idea. Not sure how on earth to do that on larger strobes, as this was a basic reefmaster camera setup that I saw. Once again, I HAVE NOT used this method, I just saw it, and thought it was very clever. If you're using the long hose I mentioned earlier, make sure it's not on your left side, which would make the long hose undeployable.

Not sure where to put your light, since my only experience has been with a can light, or a handheld light that I hold the entire dive. I would imagine the butt dring would be fine for your needs.

 

[SPG3K]

I do fully intend to switch to a BP/W setup, but with a baby being born in early September, it's just not the right time in my life for major purchases.

However, I am interested for sure, right now, in the shorter inflater hose. I had not thought of that, I will definitely work on it.

My backup light is not so-big of a deal, it fits perfectly in the fold-up snorkel pouch that is built into my BC.

I like the way you have your reel.

My next purchase will most likely be the inflater/second stage. That gets rid of a large, annoying yellow hose. I have always been a fan of donating my primary, with or without the long hose. Someone who is OOG is going to grab for the first thing they think will have air in it, which I'm assuming will be the device I am currently breathing out of. Thats fine, I know where my octo is, no biggie. So the switch to your system would not be a hard one.

I really like the BP/W setups, I wish I could afford one right now =/.

 

[ucfdiver]

I really like the BP/W setups, I wish I could afford one right now =/.

Keep an eye out on ebay and the for sale section, often single tank wings go for $150 or less. Also remember that many of the streamlining things you see done on hog/dir divers can be adapted to your current gear, less than ideal of course, but work with what you have for now......after all, there's no point in spending so much on gear, that you can't afford to go diving!

 

[SPG3K]

Definitely.

I will keep an eye out. If I could get a single setup for 150 I would take it in a heartbeat. When you say the single tank wing, you mean just the bladder, or the plate/bladder/etc?

I'm guessing the webbing and all that is relatively inexpensive?

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

On my Hog Harness I have pieces of tire innertube that I use to slip the ends of my lights. They are attatched to my D-rings at each shoulder with swivel SS snap bolts. The other ends are tucked under the innertube so they lay flat but are easy to retrieve when I need them and I do not have to take my lights off the D-rings. There are always ways of getting things tidy. Webbing is really cheap! I would recommend getting the book DRESS FOR SUCCESS to help you when you get your BP/W. It really helps you get the rig right for you! http://www.gue.com/?q=en/node/161

Good luck!
Carolyn:sharks:
Ps: Congrats on the Baby news!

 

[ucfdiver]

Definitely.

I will keep an eye out. If I could get a single setup for 150 I would take it in a heartbeat. When you say the single tank wing, you mean just the bladder, or the plate/bladder/etc?

I'm guessing the webbing and all that is relatively inexpensive?

In a quick search, I found this for a wing
Halcyon Pioneer Wing, 36 LB, DIR - eBay (item 290248213726 end time Jul-30-08 14:56:37 PDT)

And then here's a backplate
Halcyon Stainless Steel Backplate and Harness - eBay (item 320267926781 end time Aug-25-08 14:00:14 PDT)

All you'd need is a 2in crotch strap, which can be ordered for $15-20 from any dive rite dealer.


One thing I forgot to mention. The reason the lights are secured with inner tube at the bottom and a bolt snap at the top, is you can easily remove them, turn them on, and THEN unhook them, so if you drop the light, it's on, and you can see it. If you have them in your pocket and drop them while taking it out in the dark, you'll never find it.

 

[SPG3K]

How are the backplates as far as comfort compared to say, a Zeagle Ranger?

I love the fit and finish of my avid as far as the way it fits my back and sides. How much adjustment is there in the BP/W setup for comfort?

 

[ucfdiver]

How are the backplates as far as comfort compared to say, a Zeagle Ranger?

I love the fit and finish of my avid as far as the way it fits my back and sides. How much adjustment is there in the BP/W setup for comfort?

I can't even tell I'm wearing it when I'm in the water once it's adjusted properly. On the surface, it's slightly uncomfortable with heavy steel doubles, although not nearly as bad as you'd expect by looking at it. In the water is what counts for me!

 

[TSandM]

Backplate and harness setups are infinitely adjustable; it's one of their beauties. For my money, my backplates are WAY more comfortable (in anything from a 3 mil suit to my drysuit) than my original BC was, in part because they keep the tank STABLE on my back.

But if money is tight, you don't HAVE to buy a BP/W. I would STRONGLY recommend against buying the combination inflator/backup device. Look at the "What did you buy that you regret?" thread to see how many people have bought them and found they didn't like them. If you want to streamline your setup, put your backup reg on a short (22 or 24") hose, and put your primary reg on a longer (40" or more) hose. A 5' hose will keep the hose tight to your body, and get rid of loops.

I can't come up with a good way to manage a bulky, hand-held light, a reel, and a camera and strobe. There is a reason that cave divers and technical divers who use reels regularly use lights on a Goodman handle -- it's so you can hold the light and still use the hand for something else, like running a reel.

As I'm writing this, I'm remembering getting in the water with my pistol grip light and a camera, with my original BC, and understanding once again why I came to prefer the setup I currently dive. But it's true that converting to a BP/W and a canister light is a very large investment.