how do you attach your console?

[snipes287]

hey, Ive been swimming around with my conslole just dangling around and was wandering what everyone else used to keep it close to you. do you use retractors or what?

[Bill H]

Rectractor or clip, whatever. :rolleyes:

Not a good idea to let the console drift loose for a variety of reasons.

[diverrick]

I have found that the little clips that hold your console by the hose, have a tendancy to come off during your dive, and causing danglies. I prefer to tuck my console into the front of my BC, that way it is always easy to find, and I would know if it fell out. I have also heard of tucking your console hose through you arm hole in the BC. Other than that I have seen quick release bayonet clips that seemed to work. they are hard attached to the console, and the other end is hard attached to the BC, with releasable clips in between, that way it can't fall away unless you release it.

[Diver Lori]

I don't use a console anymore, but when I did I just took a piece of surgical tubing and wrapped it around the console with a bolt snap and secured the tubing with a couple wire ties. Then I just bolt snapped the console to a D-ring on my BC. Unsnap...look at read-out....snap back up and it's secure. My old console didn't have a loop on it, but if yours does just secure the surgical tubing/bolt snap right to the loop.

[rgerman95]

Lori has the right idea. I would like to add that there is a stretchy neoprene (or something similar, it felt like neoprene) consol holder, which doesn't even require you to unhook your console from your BC. You simply pull the consol away from your body, read it, and then it simply pulls back into place.

The one I used was fluorescent orange, so that it could be seen and grabbed easily. It stretched around the consol and kept it pulled against the front of your BCD.

This is similar to what a retractor does, but at like 1/10 the cost.

[MikeFerrara]

Another recent thread on the same subject

here (http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?threadid=37743&highlight=your+console)

[tholt576]

here's one cool idea. Magna clips! I wouldn't use them if you have a compass on the console, but other than that they rock. it's like a quick release that clips itself.

MagnaClip (http://www.scuba-accessories.com/product_info.php/products_id/127)

http://www.scuba-accessories.com/images/Magna_Clip_with_Gate_Clip_and_Lanyard_without_Coil _1.jpg

Disclaimer: This is from my business website, but I really do think these things are cool. I don't know why they haven't caught on more than they have.

[hydroslyder]

Wouldn't the magna clips completely screw your couple hundred dollar computer up, and also your watch if you got it close, and your compass, I have felt these clips and they are really strong magnets, I can see what they would be good for but definitely not a console with computer/compass on it.

[ronrosa]

I use a mini-retractor clipped to my left shoulder d-ring. Works great.

[Northeastwrecks]

If I were going to use a console, I'd attach it the same way that I attach my SPG. Cave Line and a stainless steel boltsnap.

[diverrick]

I have been around the block a few times, but I have never heard if a "boltsnap".
Then I come to this post and see it twice.
I probably know what is is, but never knew the correct name. Would someone please clearify it for me?
Thanks

[cyklon_300]

http://www.agir-brokk.com/products.asp?category_id=8

[h2omammal]

I've always passed the console under my left arm, under the left BC shoulder strap so that the console is in front of me. I can then tuck it under my right armpit temporarily when super streamlining is needed. Otherwise it remains in front of me and I need only sweep my left arm upward from the lower left to instantly locate it.

Please note that I'm not recommending this practice, per se -- only that it works very well for me.

[NJDiveGirl]

ronrosa once bubbled...
I use a mini-retractor clipped to my left shoulder d-ring. Works great.

me too - but mines clipped to my right shoulder! :tongewag:

[BrettM]

My BC has a clip strap that goes between the shoulder straps across my chest. I just tuck the console under this strap and clip it in so it rides in the middle of my chest. The console hose has enough slack so you can easily pull the console out far enough to read it at will and still stay streamlined.

[rakjar]

I have to go with the retractor clip myself....

[kingprawn]

I used to use a retractor, but switched to a bolt snap for the SPG and moved the console to my wrist.

[Mike Newman]

I always use a retractor - start off with it on my left hand D Rings (until I am into the BC) - then I move it over to the right hand side. That puts the console (an Uwatec Smart Com) nicely in my field of vision and the retractor allows me to move the compass element forward when necessary.

I'm about to move to a locking retractor - simply because on the boat, when you attach the console, it tends to overpower the current retractor and dangle slightly.

I'm afraid that I have a real aversion to dangling objects on and about my person when diving.

[rakjar]

Where do you get the locking retractor?

[jimisurf]

I use a 3 inch double ended clip and clip it to the right breast D ring on my BCD (routed under my left arm). Kind of like an instrument cluster on a car, all I have to do is look down (it's just on the lower pariphery of my sight line). Works for me as I always know my pressure, etc..

Jimi

[WillAbbott]

Stainless Steel or Brass Bolt-Snap (in a decently large size so you can work it with gloves on) secured by 2 O-rings looped over the hose (Have to remove hose from 1st stage to do this) This is then clipped off to my waist D-ring, I can either pull it without uncliping to read it, then pull back on the hose, or unclip it... It used to be easier to slide it, but recently has been easier to clip and unclip... musta finnaly got the d-ring in the right place :)

[RiverRat]

I ditched my console and installed my pressure guage in it's own rubber mount. I then bought a clip with a loop and put this on my backplate harness around the belt line. The hose routes behind my left shoulder and down to the left side. I then went out and bought a Suunto Vyper which of course includes my depth guage. My original depth guage that was in the console I put in a hose mount as a spare or backup pressure guage. The "DANGLY" is gone! Here's me in Cayman (photo on left), guage hangs down several inches. Center photo is my "dangly" dive buddy on that trip. http://www.northeastcomputer.net/familypics/scuba/photos.html

[PacNWdiver]

Wouldn't the magna clips completely screw your couple hundred dollar computer up, and also your watch if you got it close, and your compass, I have felt these clips and they are really strong magnets, I can see what they would be good for but definitely not a console with computer/compass on it.

Chris,

What's the story with these things and interfering with a compass? Also, it says not for use with heavy things. How heavy? No good for a light, maybe okay for a gauge?

Overall, I'd echo those that suggest ditching the console. I did a year and a half ago and have been much happier since. Wrist mount is the only way to go!

John

[d33ps1x]

This all seems so very hard somehow...

[Jetwrench]

I kept my console to house my SPG, compass, and backup computer(Vyper on the wrist) and use a locking retractor. Attached to my right shoulder D-ring keeps it nice and close and easy to find(where's my bellybutton?). Locked retracted keeps any currents from bothering it and locking it extended eases my effort when using the compass for long nav swims. Works for me.

[DA Aquamaster]

I dive independent doubles by choice, which makes me odd to start with but also leaves me with an extra SPG to deal with.

The spg/computer are on the left tank and are routed on the left side in normal fashion with the console attached to a retractor clipped to the left hand D ring. It keeps it close and visible with the benefit of being able to be extended for compass use or close inspection. Not all retractors are equal and you need to find one with enough horsepower to keep the console close to you in a current. Mini retractors are not normally up to the task.

The SPG on the right is attached with cave line and a bolt snap to a D ring on the waist strap just right of center (yes..that is different). The SPG is still visible without having to unhook it and all you really need to see is the needle positon. This D-ring is also where the not-currently-in-use second stage is clipped (with a bolt snap snugly o-ringed around the mouthpiece). It holds the second stage in very close and is less dangly than using a neckace and more practical for the 2-3 switches required per dive. The second stage is also immediately available with just a firm tug.

One thing I have noted in this thread is that a lot of people clip their SPG/console across their midline to a D-ring or retractor on the right side. This was a cardinal sin when I was certified in the early 80's as anything clipped across your midline is a potential obstacle if you have to remove your gear under water. 20 years has not changed that.

It is also a potential impediment if you have to loosen the waist band and hike the BC/backplate up a bit for better access to your valves, and in a situation with a full blown freeflow, a few extra seconds can mean a lot of lost air.

[KrisB]

Wouldn't the magna clips completely screw your couple hundred dollar computer up, and also your watch if you got it close

Contrary to popular belief, magnets are not bad for computers in and of themselves. They may sometimes affect them briefly, but once moved away will not cause last effects.

They will however cause damage to magnetic media, such as hard disks, floppy disks, zip disks, etc. They may also damage CRT displays. This damage will cause data loss and can sometimes cause hardware damage.

That said, if there's magnetic media in your dive computer, you have bigger issues than a little magnet nearby! :-)

Think of the last time you set it next to your computer speaker (because that's where the interface is) or it rode home in a bag next to the speaker in your SUV.

Magnets are all around us, and if you have something that is adversely affected by the smallest trace of a magnetic field, you have some major issues to work out.

I have never heard of a magnet causing an issue for a watch, though in theory it may stop the clockwork from moving while it is in close proximity.

[Codeman00]

Where do you get the locking retractor?

Just search for Locking Retractor

[dwright]

I don't dive a console any longer either...I use an spg and a couple wrist mount computers. The spg is attached by using some cave line and a stainless steel bolt-snap and attaches to my hip D-ring. Unsnap to read it, snap it back. Sounds kinda complicated until you try it. And for those that don't know what a bolt-snap is...Here's a picture.

[The Kraken]

Stainless steel snap bolt to the left waist D-ring.

[reef_dweller]

i keep it inside my lower BC belt

[Muzzwezz]

hey, Ive been swimming around with my conslole just dangling around and was wandering what everyone else used to keep it close to you. do you use retractors or what?


what i was going to have, although not any more, was to have the console comeing from my right hand HP port, then under my right arm and using a bold snap attaching to a D ring on my left sholder. This way its seay to attach/deattach with one hand, my right [right handed] also allowing you to look at it easily while using the inflator hose with ur left hand.

Of corse now im going to get an APEKS ATX-50 with DS4 which only has 1 HP port i cant. :crying2:

[MSilvia]

I don't attach my console anymore. I took the spg out and secured it to my left hip D-ring with a bolt snap. I mount my bottom timer/computer and compass on my wrists.

The console went on Ebay, where it won't be in the way.

[O2BBubbleFree]

I pulled my SPG out of the boot a little ways, tied a short piece of boot lace around the hose, then put the SPG back in the boot so that the lace is coming out of the boot at the top of the SPG hole (near the center of the console). Then I put a plastic clip that I had laying around on the other end of the boot lace. I route the hose under my left arm, and fasten the clip to the D-ring on my left shoulder strap.

The boot lace is just long enough that I can read the computer/SPG without unclipping it, but short enough that it doesn't dangle more than about 4" below me when horizontal. If I need more stramlining, I cross my arms across my chest and hold everything up tight. I only have to unclip it to use my compass, which is on the back of the console.

With it on the left D-ring I can reach it with either hand, and don't have to unclip it to don/doff the BC (I don't want it in the sand or on the floor of the boat).