To STA or not to STA?

[Kendall Raine]

The added distance between the tank and your back isn't an issue? I worry about the effect on my trim.

The original Halcyon STA (circa 2000) was "U" shaped with high rails and placed the tank further from the plate than either the modern Halcyon weighted STA or the common (flatter) shaped STA. That said, I have never noticed a difference in roll tendency between the original Halcyon STA's and the more common (flatter) STA's. BTW, the original "U" shaped STA has been out of production for a long time.

 

[Badger7]

I've used both, extensively, and frankly I believe that what to have for breakfast is a far more important decision than a single tank rig with or without an STA.

If you're using an STA, the tank is ever-so-slightly further from your backplate. Like half an inch. I can't tell the difference, tell me you can? The tank also sits up nice and straight without any extra effort, thats cool, but not an absolute requirement.

If you're not using an STA, the tank sits ever-so-slightly closer to your backplate. If you only have a single anti-roll insert in the middle of your wing, you'll just need to cinch down the bottom cam band, nudge top of the backplate one way or the other so the valve is centered over the middle of the plate, and then cinch down the top cam band to make sure its relatively straight.

After running to the fill station, packing my gear, loading the truck, making a sandwich, packing some drinks and snacks, driving to dive site, unloading the gear, donning my drysuit, donning my gear, waiting for the guy who is late, teasing the guy who is late, having a great first dive, doing a surface interval, having some lunch, hanging out with the guys, thinking about how glad I am to be diving and not home painting the garage, changing the tank, going for another dive, seeing some cool ****, nailing a perfect ascent but getting lost and teasing the guy who was supposed to be navigating.... in all of that, taking 20 seconds before splashing to check tank orientation a tad because this backplate doesn't have an STA, I'm not really feeling put out or inefficient.

Either way, no rocket surgery involved.

 

[happy-diver]

 

[iointerrupt]

Piranha sells a "compact STA" that adds barely anything:

Compact 2 Piece Single Tank Adapter Kit

If your looking for a compact 2 piece single tank adapter then you just find them! Compact since it is 2 pieces instead of the 1 longer piece that has been used Mount any cylinder or pony bottle with ease of these compact mounts Comes complete with all stanless steel hardware and the adapters...

www.piranhadivemfg.com

 

[NothingClever]

STA.

Maybe I’m lazy or sloppy but I like how quick and precise it is.

 

[scrane]

Why add something you don't really need?

 

[boulderjohn]

I use an STA, primarily because it makes it so easy to switch between doubles and singles and between my aluminum and steel plates. When using it, I feel the cylinder is very stable, and there is no issue with trim. Gearin up before a dive is very easy--all I have to do is make sure that the STA is directly below the valve, and it is perfectly aligned.

 

[boulderjohn]

Why add something you don't really need?

As King Lear said, "Reason not the need." If using something that "you don't really need" improves the diving experience and does not have any drawbacks, why not use it?

 

[Kendall Raine]

Piranha sells a "compact STA" that adds barely anything:

Compact 2 Piece Single Tank Adapter Kit

If your looking for a compact 2 piece single tank adapter then you just find them! Compact since it is 2 pieces instead of the 1 longer piece that has been used Mount any cylinder or pony bottle with ease of these compact mounts Comes complete with all stanless steel hardware and the adapters...

www.piranhadivemfg.com

View attachment 881392

+1. I started using these a couple of years ago. Light, compact and great for travel.

 

[Badger7]

I thought using an STA to easily switch between doubles and singles would suit me as well, but after trying a bunch of gear combinations, a lightweight backplate for doubles is all I need, and a heavy steel backplate for a single tank is a better match, so that benefit never really materialized in my case.