Tips for backmounting an AL19 pony?

[afieldofblue]

Hello all,

I’m looking for tips on how to backmount a Luxfer AL19 pony tank on my primary gear, which is an Apeks Black Ice back-inflate BCD - The tank strap is quite low on this model. I have a standard tank strap, not the Griplock shown here, and also weight pockets are the back.

I’m looking exclusively for a backmounted solution, as I shoot underwater video, including macro which requires me to get really low, and do not want anything in the way on the front or sides, so no sling type solution for me.

From what I’ve gathered, the options would be to clamp/bracket it to the main tank (typically steel 10 to 12L or AL80 style aluminium tank), or some sort of pouch/hoster or strap solution.

What would you say works best for an AL19 cylinder?


Thank you!


PS. yes, I do know a backmounted set of doubles or sidemounted set of twins is a superior “solution”, but this is not practical for what I do.
I will be using the rig on shallow (20m max) solo shore dives with the camera, for which I prefer minimal redundancy in the rare case of a critical air loss. This is to bring me back to the surface, and yes, I’ve done the maths.

 

[NothingClever]

Why wouldn’t an LP50 twinset be the most practical solution?

I understand if the expense of a whole new configuration and training for it is out of reach but if a stable, inconspicuous, redundant system is what you’re after, I think the lower profile twinset would be superior to the floppiness of a back-mounted AL19.

 

[JohnN]

Hello all,

I’m looking for tips on how to backmount a Luxfer AL19 pony tank on my primary gear, which is an Apeks Black Ice back-inflate BCD - The tank strap is quite low on this model. I have a standard tank strap, not the Griplock shown here, and also weight pockets are the back.

View attachment 895405 View attachment 895406

I’m looking exclusively for a backmounted solution, as I shoot underwater video, including macro which requires me to get really low, and do not want anything in the way on the front or sides, so no sling type solution for me.

From what I’ve gathered, the options would be to clamp/bracket it to the main tank (typically steel 10 to 12L or AL80 style aluminium tank), or some sort of pouch/hoster or strap solution.

What would you say works best for an AL19 cylinder?


Thank you!


PS. yes, I do know a backmounted set of doubles or sidemounted set of twins is a superior “solution”, but this is not practical for what I do.
I will be using the rig on shallow (20m max) solo shore dives with the camera, for which I prefer minimal redundancy in the rare case of a critical air loss. This is to wibring me back to the surface, and yes, I’ve done the maths.

I “try “ to take pictures, you will not notice a slung AL19. It’s under your leftw airpit. The bonus of slinging the AL90 is if the poop hits the fan and it starts to freeflow, you will notice it

 

[afieldofblue]

Why wouldn’t an LP50 twinset be the most practical solution?

I understand if the expense of a whole new configuration and training for it is out of reach but if a stable, inconspicuous, redundant system is what you’re after, I think the lower profile twinset would be superior to the floppiness of a back-mounted AL19.

No, not practical for multiple reasons - major one is that I'm in Japan and tanks need to be KHK certified to be filled, and very few types of cylinders are imported here - a pony itself is hard (near impossible...) to find, the one I'm buying was actually re-KHK certified, including the valve, in Japan, which is a complex process.
See the O2+N2 restamping (instead of air) + official Japanese markings

Most people using smaller cylinders (for rebs or stages) will use non-KHK cylinders, and fill them privately (which is illegal). They cannot be hydro'ed as well. Same goes for valves.
The seller will have it rehydro'ed for me before shipping. It's a unicorn here, where DOT certified tanks cannot be filled or hydro'ed.
So LP50 twinsets... not going to happen in my neck of the woods.

The other issue is weight for shore dives with a camera, and price of fills, equipment cost, manifold, all for limited benefits - it's just not practical.
I'ved dived with a 3L pony a few times in the past (borrowed rig) and really liked it. It was strapped-on (don't remember exactly how, this was a while back) but not floppy at all.

 

[afieldofblue]

I “try “ to take pictures, you will not notice a slung AL19. It’s under your leftw airpit. The bonus of slinging the AL90 is if the poop hits the fan and it starts to freeflow, you will notice it

I will - I shoot video, for which I have a neutral, balanced rig, and i spend a lot of time with the camera on a quadripod for supermacro. This is super close to the ground, I want nothing in the front or dangling on my side for this.

The other thing I do is shoot vertically in the water colum, black-water type shooting. This is quite dynamic and I really need to have the front clear to accomodate camera movements. Something in the front or under an armpit is not an option for me.

This is why I do want a backmounted system. No slings, no sides (even a true sidemount system would be a problem for what I do), it's just not practical.

 

[afieldofblue]

Has anyone tried this solution?

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Not sure how it would fare with my BC's strap positioning though...

 

[1fspeed]

I also shoot lots of video, from shore, solo, and back mount an AL19 on a Shark pony bracket. Solid, easy to mount and out of the way.

 

[grantmac]

I don't think you understand how unobtrusive a correctly side mounted pony is. Even an AL40 or LP50 disappears.

 

[1fspeed]

I don't think you understand how unobtrusive a correctly side mounted pony is. Even an AL40 or LP50 disappears.

 

[1fspeed]

I carry an AL40 as CCR bailout couple times/week. But for shallow solo OC I prefer the simplicity of back mount.