Who makes the best SMB?
- Thread starter OE2X
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Green_Manelishi
Contributor
overexposed2X:
How large is the pocket? The answer to that will determine what you can actually
utilize.
ShakaZulu
Contributor
http://www.dive-rite.com/products/tools/surfmark.htm
I believe orange is the most visible color for a SMB.
I believe orange is the most visible color for a SMB.
lairdb
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overexposed2X:
Apples and chainsaws.
"Best" and "fits in pocket" are mutually exclusive, as some amount of "best" has to be "freaking huge", and another component is likely to be "closed or semi-closed with OPV" which also goes against "fits in pocket".
At the "fits in pocket" end: I like the Ocean Reef sausage. It's open-ended, but has a couple of soft lead plates sewn in at the open end that both help the mouth stay closed and help keep it upright. Rolls up very small while still very durable.
At the other end of the world are the real SMBs (closed or semi-closed, with OPV). (I have yet to see one that would come even close to fitting in a thigh-pocket, unless maybe you took up the whole pocket.) These are the OMS, DiveRite, Triple-L, etc.
(As it happens, I have both the Ocean Reef and the OMS sausages -- I haven't used the Ocean Reef since I got the OMS, and it's currently clean, dry, and looking for a buyer. For me, though, rolled-up size wasn't as big an issue.)
detroit diver
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gedunk:
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.
lairdb
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gedunk:
When I was researching SMBs I read several positive comments (especially from those in the UK) about Carter, but was never able to find a real picture of one -- just an incredibly poorly drawn cartoon that looks like a 6-year-old using MSPaint drew it. Not at any retailer's site, not at Carter's own site, nowhere.
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The Carter bag is heavy-duty ... but it's bulkier than some others. I use the Oxycheq semi-closed. I can fit the bag and spool in a bellows pocket. The Halcyon SMBs roll up even smaller, and are easier to store.
OE2X ... if you want to see a Carter bag first-hand, ask Cheryl next time you dive with her. That's what she uses.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
OE2X ... if you want to see a Carter bag first-hand, ask Cheryl next time you dive with her. That's what she uses.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Why would a semi-closed need an OPV?
Green_Manelishi
Contributor
jonnythan:
Perhaps because the opening of the bag is very narrow and the OPV is merely
redundant, rather than superfluous.
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