Who makes the best SMB?

[detroit diver]

I'll be darn....learn something new everyday

I learned it by accident!

 

[lairdb]

You can see the whole Carter lift bag and SMB selection at http://www.scuba-accessories.com/index.php/cPath/23. The Carter company web page which includes some additional specs (dimensions) for the floats is at http://www.carterbag.com/personalfloat.html.

Although still only a cartoon of the "personal floats" (SMBs):

 

[Scubaroo]

Why would a semi-closed need an OPV?

Because as the gas expands as the SMB rises, the semi-closed designs self-seal, and still need to be able to vent any overexpansion. Basically the open end is squeezed shut from inside.

 

[Carlos Danger]

This is the one I have. It's not the smallest or the cheapest, but it definitely one of the best SMBs made.

http://www.diveus.com/catalog/products/580.html

It's not really all that long, but it's very visible due to its” wider design. The coolest part is that you can inflate it orally, or by a CO2 cartridge trigger mechanism. It also comes with a very high quality D-ring and Quick-Clip.

 

[Reinoud]

Can someone confirm that it is possible to orally inflate an SMB like the Halcyons that is set up with a valve for a BC inflator hose?

Gracias

Yes. Here is a picture: http://www.xs4all.nl/~reinoud/SMB-orally.jpg

 

[cool_hardware52]

What is the point of removing the OPV? Is it just so that it rolls up smaller? Isn't there a down side from doing this? Exactly how does one "remove the OPV"?

In most cases the "thru-hull" fitting used for OPV's and BC inflator hoses are the same. There is a fitting with male threads, the threads are about 1" OD and the flange is about 2.5" diameter that is inside the bc or SMB. On the outside of the bag is a nut with both ID threads (matches the threads on the flanged fitting) and OD threads.

On a BC with an inner bladder and outer shell, both the bladder and the shell are trapped between the flange, which is in the bladder, and the nut which is on the outside. What you see in the photos are just this, the inner flanged fitting, and the outer nut.

The outer threads on the nut is what either the inflator hose assembly, or OPV body is screwed on to.

The OPV is a outer "cage" and a spring loaded rubber disk that covers the center hole in the flanged fitting.

An OPV can be removed by unscrewing the outer cage. Becareful that you don't unscrew the nut from the inner flange fitting. Quite often the nut will get stuck in the outer cage threads, and you end up twisting off both the cage and the nut, leaving the inner flange fitting loose.

It can tough to get the nut out of the cage, very careful application of channel locks on the inner nut usually works, but I have destroyed a few trying.

I'd leave the flanged fitting and nut in place to protect the edge of fabric hole from fraying, and it allows you to replace the OPV if desired.

Good Luck,



Tobin

 

[jagfish]

This is the one I have. It's not the smallest or the cheapest, but it definitely one of the best SMBs made.

http://www.diveus.com/catalog/products/580.html

It's not really all that long, but it's very visible due to its” wider design. The coolest part is that you can inflate it orally, or by a CO2 cartridge trigger mechanism. It also comes with a very high quality D-ring and Quick-Clip.

As a variation on this self-inflating theme, here is a unit that has a refillable spare air sized tank that you can refill between dives.

http://www.apvalves.com/SMBCi.html

I've used it once, and although it was bulky, it was the ultimate in convenience...

 

[detroit diver]

As a variation on this self-inflating theme, here is a unit that has a refillable spare air sized tank that you can refill between dives.

http://www.apvalves.com/SMBCi.html

I've used it once, and although it was bulky, it was the ultimate in convenience...

Interesting. It mentions that you can fill it from the "main cylinder". How do you do this?

How bulky was it?

 

[jagfish]

Interesting. It mentions that you can fill it from the "main cylinder". How do you do this?

How bulky was it?

It fills like a spare air, has a fill adapter that fits to any Yoke tank. I honestly don't remember how big the little cyllinder was, but perhaps the same size as the smallest Spare Air. It rolls aobut the same size as the Halcyon 6 footer, but more "round" since the deflated bag is wrapped around the cyllinder.

Deployment was a snap. Take it out, unroll, clear it from yourself, and open the valve with an easy twist. Super easy...