Who makes the best SMB?

[detroit diver]

Why would a semi-closed need an OPV?

Mine became semi-closed AFTER removing the OPV. It was a closed bag before that.

 

[Bob3]

Ditto on the Carter, assuming it'll fit into your pocket.
The design makes doing a hang a lot easier on the arm in rougher weather.

 

[lamont]

i've got both the small and medium size halcyon SMBs now, and the 85(?) lbs halcyon lift bag. the small SMB is what i normally carry.

there may be a cheaper or better route to go -- but i didn't want to do too much research on SMBs and the halcyons seem okay...

 

[r37691]

I've been using OMS SMBs, With no problems.

 

[jagfish]

I'm about the same as Lamont...Large and small Halcyon SMB.

I carry the small SMB hooked up to a 75 fool spool in my left pocket on all dives. Really easy to inflate with the one way valve. Just a few puffs from you mouth does it. You don't really have to mess with an inflator hose...


If I am going to an area where surface visibility or currents are an issue, I will stuff the large SMB in my backplate pak, and throw a heftier spool in my pocket...However, if you inflate from a shallow depth, you have little chance of inflating this one with exhalation only. You'll have to be satisfied with a limp noodle until you get to the surface and can inflate further, or use an inflator hose at depth, or oral inflate from deeper.

 

[OE2X]

I use a 6 ft Halcyon SMB, with the OPV valve removed. The valve is at the bottom of the SMB when inflated. My adjustment makes this a semi-closed SMB, and allows you to fill it either by the regulator, by mouth, or by an inflator hose.

Do you have a photo of this?

 

[detroit diver]

Do you have a photo of this?

Not at my office, but I'll shoot one tonite and post it.

 

[lamont]

I'm about the same as Lamont...Large and small Halcyon SMB.

I carry the small SMB hooked up to a 75 fool spool in my left pocket on all dives. Really easy to inflate with the one way valve. Just a few puffs from you mouth does it. You don't really have to mess with an inflator hose...

Yeah, I bought the medium 4' one first -- but the small 3' is actually much smaller and much more appropriate for shore diving around here. If I was diving in currents off of a boat I'd probably take the medium one. The large one I think I'd only use when there was going to be little chance of making it to shore or getting picked up by another ship or rescuers in the time it would take to become hypothermic.

I wish that halcyon would make them in yellow though. I'd like to carry an orange one for 'everything is cool, just couldn't find the upline' and yellow for 'oh ****, send gas down'.

 

[detroit diver]

Yeah, I bought the medium 4' one first -- but the small 3' is actually much smaller and much more appropriate for shore diving around here. If I was diving in currents off of a boat I'd probably take the medium one. The large one I think I'd only use when there was going to be little chance of making it to shore or getting picked up by another ship or rescuers in the time it would take to become hypothermic.

I wish that halcyon would make them in yellow though. I'd like to carry an orange one for 'everything is cool, just couldn't find the upline' and yellow for 'oh ****, send gas down'.

On mine, there is a clear pocket at the top where you can send up a note. The boat needs to know to look for it though.

 

[TCDiver1]

Not at my office, but I'll shoot one tonite and post it.

I'll try to do the same with my Carter but i can't get to it till next week. Maybe i'll get a commission or something from Carter since the picture they use to represent their product is so weak.