Tank straps for BP -- scubapro or Halcyon

[large_diver]

FredT sells scubapro tank straps (single tank diving) to go along with his BPs.....anyone have any opinion on these vs. the Halcyon straps?

[Uncle Pug]

Do they have a rubber gripping strip on the inside like the Halcyon?

[Iguana Don]

I use the ScubaPro tank straps, got the idea from Dee and Beast, yes they have the rubber tank grabber on them as well.

ID

[Dee]

Originally posted by large_diver
FredT sells scubapro tank straps (single tank diving) to go along with his BPs.....anyone have any opinion on these vs. the Halcyon straps?

We got the ScubaPro bands from FredT last year and yes, they have the rubber no-skid pads.

While shopping for Halcyon stuff we looked at the Halcyon straps but I don't think I would like them. The metal peice that fits into the buckle is not solid. You'll have to place it just right in order for it to hold. On the ScubaPro, the metal piece is a solid ring. As long as you get it into the notch on the buckle, you're good to go. This is especially hand when you wrap the bands around and catch the notch, it holds while you adjust the placement, then close the buckle.

[Scubaroo]

I agree with Dee re the Halcyon buckle - it took a few tank changes to get the knack of the buckles not falling apart while trying to attach the tank. They could be better designed.

BUT, they grip like the blazes once they're on - I don't even bother to wet my straps anymore before tightening, and they've only had a few dives, so they presumably would still be prone to some stretching - but with that metal buckle you can ULTRA tighten them anyway. Tank slippage is no more - that's in conjunction with a seperate STA which I feel allows a tighter strap grip than the "integrated" STA of the wing.

[large_diver]

A few more questions about the halcyon straps.....

I see Halcyon octo straps offered by Extreme Exposure described as follows: "Single Tank Strap Replacement, Octogrip, Delrin cam buckle" ($29)

On the Fifth Dimension website I see octo straps described as follows: "Single tank Octogrip Strap Replacement with Stainless Super Cam Buckle" ($38)

I guess these are the same straps with different buckles...???

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by large_diver
I guess these are the same straps with different buckles...??? Yes that is correct... but... Halcyon is coming out with the new SS buckle that doesn't come apart as soon as they can dump... er... get done selling... hmmm... as soon as they are available.


I'd wait or at least inquire.

[JoelW]

UP,

So what you're telling me is I bought the straps at the wrong time. I have a pair coming in this Friday with one of the DIR-F instructors.

JoelW

[DPhantomas]

Dows anybody heard about the Scubapro wings?
My LDS want to sell me a combination of Transpak BP and Scubapro wings, telling me it's the same as Halcyon wings in shape, and different material.

[roakey]

Originally posted by DPhantomas
Dows anybody heard about the Scubapro wings?
My LDS want to sell me a combination of Transpak BP and Scubapro wings, telling me it's the same as Halcyon wings in shape, and different material.
Add your shop to your "No longer trust" list.

Here's a picture from the SCUBAPro site:

http://www.scubapro.com/consumer/products/bcds/rectek/rectek.jpg

The wing is nothing like a Halcyon and the corrugated hose is too long. I assume the Air II is optional, so I won't address it here.

Note when he says "Transpak" he really is talking a transpak -- a design that DiveRite left awhile ago when they moved to the TransPak II and sold the rights of the old design to SCUBAPro (not that I like the TransPak II any better).

So if you want to get a wing that's not like a Halcyon, a inflation hose that's too long and a harness system that's overly complex as well as an old design, go for it.

If you want a Halcyon (I would) get a Halcyon.

Roak

[Green_Manelishi]

assuming that I know what you are all discussing I've
been using the Halcyon SS buckles for more than one
year (since I fell at a local dive site and shattered some
cheezy plastic buckles) and have NOT had a problem
with them "coming apart".

After placing them on the strap I placed the buckles in
a table mounted vice and "crimped" them tight.

[newton]

Originally posted by Uncle Pug
Yes that is correct... but... Halcyon is coming out with the new SS buckle that doesn't come apart as soon as they can dump... er... get done selling... hmmm... as soon as they are available.


I'd wait or at least inquire.

Gee Uncle, you're letting the cat outta the bag. :)

For what it's worth, I have some of the newer Halcyonn buckles that don't (officially) exist, which I someone ended up with. (Consider this a plug for the great customer service at Halcyon!).

Having tried all three of the Halcyon buckle designs, it's my informed opinion that the new style (not yet released publically) is their best.

The first is the standard Delrin tank buckle you get with most BCs. Don't bother with it, as mine broke on the 2nd dive I used it. (Luckily, it wasn't being used to hold my tank onto my BC). Interestingly enough, my wife's old sherwood BC had a similar looking buckle, and it's still fine. Hope the Ebayer likes it. :)

I've got two of the 'current style' two-piece buckles on my Pioneer setup, and they work OK, although I think they're a pain in the rear to get setup on my tank initially. (I'm using singles, so I switch tanks on every dive). Once they're on the tank and tightened up, they rock!

The 'future style' buckles are just like the Delrin buckles, except they're made out of SS. I stuck these on my wife's Pioneer setup, and they're easier to use. They're just like the Delrin setup, but you can tighten them up without worrying about them breaking, so they have all the advantages of both the Delrin (ease of use) and the SS buckles (bulletproof).

As a final note, I've also got a *really* old ScubaPro stab jacket with the SP strap. I consider the SP strap as good (if not better) than the Halcyon strap. As others have pointed out, it's got the rubber/grippy thing on it. I find the SP strap easier to tighten on the tank, vs. the Halcyon setup.

If it were me, I'd go with the SP strap unless you can get the Halcyon straps with the new-style buckles.

Although, I am still using the old-style Halcyon strap/buckles on my gear, so I'm not motivated enough to switch out straps, so that may tell you something.


Nate

[large_diver]

Nate,

very useful info -- THANKS!

-Chris

[rcohn]

I have the Scubapro strap on my stab jacket and really like it, easy to use, never slips once properly set, and adjustment free.

However, I recently managed to catch my flag line under it on one dive and my buddy said he needed to release the strap to free the line. So any techdiver who is fanatically eliminating all entanglement points might want to consider that.

Looking at the buckle, I can see how it can easily catch a line, I'm not sure that the buckle must be opened to release it. However, it is an awkward spot to reach.

Ralph

[rcohn]

Took another look at the strap on a tank tonight and I can easily see how a line could become trapped, requiring the buckle to be at minimum partly released to free the line.

Ralph

[newton]

Originally posted by rcohn
Looking at the buckle, I can see how it can easily catch a line, I'm not sure that the buckle must be opened to release it. However, it is an awkward spot to reach.


Ralph, you've convinced me. I also checked out my buckles, and I have to agree with the entanglement issue.

I hereby rescind my recommendation of the ScubaPro strap/buckles, due to entanglement hazards. I have enough problems with my shoelaces (Hi UP!), I don't need more entanglement issues. ;-)

If it were me, I would try to scam a set of new Halcyon buckles.



Nate

[CCDeep]

I don't think there is a better strap and buckle than the scubapro. If entanglement is a problem, cover the buckle with duct tape after you put it on your tank.

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by newton
I have enough problems with my shoelaces
Nate... do you have the velcro tab on the end of your shoe laces?

[JoelW]

A friend of mine has the S-pro ones and I just put on a set of the Halcyon. I could have gone either way, but I do really like the Halcyon ones.

JoelW

[newton]

Originally posted by Uncle Pug
Nate... do you have the velcro tab on the end of your shoe laces? [/B]

There's nothing on my laces. The only velcro I have is on the back of the rockboots themselves. Why, do you have velcro on your laces? (The drysuit is only 3 months old, so I'd be suprised/disappointed if they've recently come out with velcro on the laces.)


Nate

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by newton
The drysuit is only 3 months old, so I'd be suprised/disappointed if they've recently come out with velcro on the laces.
Yeah... well at least you've got the new SS buckles... so your sobs are falling on deaf ears here buddy....:D

Anyway the new boots I have feature a wooley tab folded around the end of the shoe laces with a knot in the end of them so the tab can't slide of and get lost. No big deal... just get some and stitch a tab around your shoe laces... That way you can secure the extra... or don't even bother...

Shoot Newt.... you can just wrap your laces around your ankles and put a knot in the end where they just pass through the fold down velcro tab on the boot... then cut the remainder off with a hot knife so it can't snag... you don't need the little wooley tab...

Just don't let them go floating full length loose behind you ;)

[newton]

Originally posted by Uncle Pug

Yeah... well at least you've got the new SS buckles... so your sobs are falling on deaf ears here buddy....:D


*laugh

Hey, I had to pay half-price for those upgraded buckles. :D :D

(Point taken).



Anyway the new boots I have feature a wooley tab folded around the end of the shoe laces with a knot in the end of them so the tab can't slide of and get lost. No big deal... just get some and stitch a tab around your shoe laces... That way you can secure the extra... or don't even bother...


I do have something like that, but it was part of the back part of the boot. It can be removed though, so I imagine it's the same thing. I never bothered unhooking it from the boot, but I suspect it'll come up fine.



Shoot Newt.... you can just wrap your laces around your ankles and put a knot in the end where they just pass through the fold down velcro tab on the boot... then cut the remainder off with a hot knife so it can't snag... you don't need the little wooley tab...


Basically, I need to do the hot-knife trick, no matter what setup I have. So far I've avoided it since I haven't found a knife my wife is willing to let me try and melt. ;(



Just don't let them go floating full length loose behind you ;)

Amen to that. I've been better about it, since lately I've been tucking the extra length into my boots, but it's not so comfortable. The hot-knife trick is good for other things besides torture. ;)



Nate

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by newton
Basically, I need to do the hot-knife trick, no matter what setup I have.
Just don't cut off too much:

With the full length shoe laces even up the ends and slip them together through that little wooley tab (its back there... you just don't have it set up yet... pull it out of the fold over hook part that is sewn to the rock boot heel.)

Now hold the lace ends together and tie a knot so the wooley tab can't slide off of them. Put your foot in your suit and then into the rock boot and cinch up the laces with the little plastic whoobie doobie... take the excess lace and wrap it around your ankles as many times as you can (probably 1 1/2 times plus a little) and slide the wooley tab on the string to where it fits under the velcro hook fold over on the heel. NOW.... tie a knot there so the little wooley tab will stay put on the laces and cut the excess off with your hot knife... you need the extra lace material so you can take your boots off but you don't want anymore that just enough to wrap 1 1/2 times with nothing left to dangle.

Well... less than a thousand but a picture would have been better. :D