Thanks DSS, 1st dives on Kydex Plate

[Chuckitall]

I made two 90 ft dives today with the Kydex plate and 120 steel tank. With a 5mm suit, I needed no additional weight. I rigged the plate with no problem and already starting to customize. If anybody is using a Hammerhead Alert on the short hose, let me know how you have rigged it up. That seemed to be the only piece of gear that would not transfer easily from my Apeks BC. Thanks Tobin

 

[kidsdream]

Take care.

 

[Splitlip]

Chuckitall (from Jupiter florida?)
Did you have any problems holding a safety stop? Aren't the plates pretty close to neutral? Are you using Heisler tanks?
With an Al plate, faber tanks and a 3 mill suit, I can get by with 4#, barely.

Aren't the DSS Kydex plates threaded the same as other plates? I am curious. What do you mean by "customizing" it?

Funny stuff.

 

[Chuckitall]

Hey Jeff, Yes I'm using a 26 Torus. By customizing, I mean I replaced the short inflator hose with one I had on my Apeks BC. Nothing wrong with Tobin's hose, but I needed an inflator that has an outside hose routing so that I can still use my Alert signal device. I know alot of divers don't use them, but I'm not much of a tank banger. I also bought 2 additional stiff standout gear clips for the hip area and put a total of 4 on the straps. As for weighting, I did fine with no weight and a 5mm suit plus a 4/3 hooded vest, but will probably add 2 lbs so that I can lay on the bottom to catch lobsters. I never added any air at depth. First dive was with a 120 steel and 2nd dive was with a 130 steel. One other thing I did was use pieces of the bicycle tubing in the shoulder plate strap area and and on the bottom of the plate. This might be overkill and Tobin will probably say it was not needed, but many buddies (other plates) so wear in these areas. Hope that answers some questions and thoughts.:10:

 

[cool_hardware52]

Hey Jeff, Yes I'm using a 26 Torus. By customizing, I mean I replaced the short inflator hose with one I had on my Apeks BC. Nothing wrong with Tobin's hose, but I needed an inflator that has an outside hose routing so that I can still use my Alert signal device. I know alot of divers don't use them, but I'm not much of a tank banger. I also bought 2 additional stiff standout gear clips for the hip area and put a total of 4 on the straps. As for weighting, I did fine with no weight and a 5mm suit plus a 4/3 hooded vest, but will probably add 2 lbs so that I can lay on the bottom to catch lobsters. I never added any air at depth. First dive was with a 120 steel and 2nd dive was with a 130 steel. One other thing I did was use pieces of the bicycle tubing in the shoulder plate strap area and and on the bottom of the plate. This might be overkill and Tobin will probably say it was not needed, but many buddies (other plates) so wear in these areas. Hope that answers some questions and thoughts.:10:

Chuck,

Thanks for the kind words. Inner tube on the webbing will do no harm, but it really is not required. The Harness Slots on the Kydex plates are well radiused and webbing wear is not a problem.

Tobin

 

[cool_hardware52]

Chuckitall (from Jupiter florida?)
Did you have any problems holding a safety stop? Aren't the plates pretty close to neutral? Are you using Heisler tanks?
With an Al plate, faber tanks and a 3 mill suit, I can get by with 4#, barely.

Aren't the DSS Kydex plates threaded the same as other plates? I am curious. What do you mean by "customizing" it?

Funny stuff.

Splitlip,

The kydex plates are jut slightly negative, less than 1 lbs. The geometry is the same as our SS plates, and the harness weaves the same way. The Hogarthian Harness kits are about 1 lbs negative, i.e. drings, SS buckles etc.

Regarding weighting: Not all neoprene is the same, and not all bodies are the same. It's on the far end of typical, but a Kydex plate, Hogarthian harness, big steel HP tank, and regulator might be enough ballast to offset a 5 mil on a slightly negative individual.

If the 5 mil in question has been dived deep(er) on a regular basis it may no longer be very positive(crushed neo )

Tobin