To STA or not to STA? Tank roll or not!?

[scubadobadoo]

I just bought a DR SS plate with 2 SS cam bads and no STA because the DR dealer told me I wouldn't neet it to secure the tank and prevent roll. Some say you get tank roll without the STA and some say you just need to configure it correctly and that the STA isn't needed other than for convenience if switching plates or if you have an older plate style. So, what do you think? Do you have personal experience with this? If I don't need a STA then I don't want to pay for it. However, if the tank will shift without one...

I will dive it for the first time this weekend so I will find out for myself but until then your thoughts are helpful. Thanks!

Jason

 

[OneBrightGator]

When I was buying my single tank setup the price difference between an STA w/ cambands or just the cambands was about $20, I figured if I didn't like the STA I could just keep the cambands and sell the other piece, but at most I was out $20. I ended up liking the STA, so I kept it and never tried going STA-less.

Ben

 

[MonkSeal]

When I dive single tank, I dive it STA-less (DR SS plate and cam bands with SS buckles) and I've never experienced tank roll.

 

[cool_hardware52]

I just bought a DR SS plate with 2 SS cam bads and no STA because the DR dealer told me I wouldn't neet it to secure the tank and prevent roll. Some say you get tank roll without the STA and some say you just need to configure it correctly and that the STA isn't needed other than for convenience if switching plates or if you have an older plate style. So, what do you think? Do you have personal experience with this? If I don't need a STA then I don't want to pay for it. However, if the tank will shift without one...

I will dive it for the first time this weekend so I will find out for myself but until then your thoughts are helpful. Thanks!

Jason

Jason,


IMHO the reason tanks sometimes rock when used with "STA-Less" plates is the grommets in the center panel of the wing. When people bolt on the wing, then strap on the tank, the tank hits the plate right on top of the bolts / grommets. These two high points are in fact pivots for the tank.

Careful selection of the fasteners used, and or not bolting the wing to the plate at all can reduce the rock.

Please be advised that if you do not bolt the wing to the plate, and you lose the tank (tank slips out) the wing may seperate from the plate by quite some distance, i.e ride up on the cam band straps.


Regards,



Tobin

 

[scubasean]

I just bought a DR SS plate with 2 SS cam bads and no STA because the DR dealer told me I wouldn't neet it to secure the tank and prevent roll. Some say you get tank roll without the STA and some say you just need to configure it correctly and that the STA isn't needed other than for convenience if switching plates or if you have an older plate style. So, what do you think? Do you have personal experience with this? If I don't need a STA then I don't want to pay for it. However, if the tank will shift without one...

I will dive it for the first time this weekend so I will find out for myself but until then your thoughts are helpful. Thanks!

Jason

I use the DR SS plate with a rec wing and cam bands...I use the bolts that have the flat heads that fit right into the holes, and the bolts never come into contact with the tank. No tank rock...It is quite solid.