With the "Glide" adaptor, would i be able to sit down and slide some of the strap out to loosen it...(i don't plan to adjust "on the fly").
Yes, that's exactly how it works.
Conversly, would i be able to use it to adjust quickly from 3mm to ds??.
DSS stainless plates have molded in rubber grommets at the harness slots. These have built in webbing retainers. That makes adjustments pretty easy as you are not fighting with a triglide on the back of plate. I can adjust a harness in a minute or two.
The hardest thing that i have with my Hog harness is folding my stiff shoulders out of it. (hence the appeal of the "Cinch")
is there is reason that it should not be used on both sides?
You don't need one on both sides.
I am largely looking for "donning and doffing" ease.
Once you get *ONE* arm out how hard is it to get the rest of the way out of your harness?
specially for when i lend my BP set up to a student or someone else, it would be easier if i could just "adjust and go" (and an easier buy for them if it is "super easy").....
Quick adjust style harnesses do make a BP&W seems less intimidating to the uninitiated who are more familiar with vests / jacket BC's festooned with adjustments and straps and etc.
Sliding waist straps seem like a means to have a quick adjust harness on a back plate, but the reality is little different.
On a single piece harness the shoulder straps become the waist strap at the lower slots. If a barrel chested 5'11" tall diver has his harness *and* chest drings correctly positioned and then a petite woman adjusts this harness via a two sided sliding waist straps the chest drings will no doubt end up in the wrong place, and the crotch strap will also need adjustment.
Even with a "fixed" attachment for the left hip dring, "Mid-line" on my body, won't be the same distance from the back plate as Mid line on a more slender diver. Again this will require adjustment based on the body type.
The bottom line is instant total adjustment (shoulder straps, crotch strap, dring location) of a "Hog" harness is an elusive goal.
The glide harness adapter is not intended to provide this instant total adjustment. It is intended to make donning and doffing easier for those with limited range of motion in their arms and shoulders.
To achieve this only one is required.
I'll add that most divers don't need even one glide harness adapter. The vast majority of the many many thousands of BP&W's being used with single piece harnesses are used without any sliders etc.
If a diver is struggling donning or doffing a Hog harness in almost all cases they have their harness too tight. This is very commonly seen in new BP&W divers who are accustomed to wearing a jacket / vest style bc harness as tight as they can get it in a failed attempt to keep their tank from moving / flopping around.
With a back plate it is simply not necessary to wear a harness eye popping tight.
Tobin