Halcyon SMB alternative

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scuba_mc

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Can anyone recommend a decent closed 1m - 1.4m SMB alternative to the Halcyon ones. Ideally something that has a similar valve to the Halcyon bags which don't have a nipple to push in before inflating.
 
I'd be curious to know too...
 
I think EE sells the valve alone.

Would you mind spelling out that acronym?


Frog SMB's in the Europe side of the world is 1m tall; but push to inflate.
HOG has a 4.5in SMB that's real skinny and very comparable; also push to inflate.
I think Deep Sea Supply 1m isn't a push to inflate. But kinda odd looking.
I always thought their design shape would make more sense if they had a 4ft or taller SMB.

Other than that. I found this while looking for pictures.
Made by Gear4Tech; Europe side manufacturer.
If you decide to be the guinea pig, would you post your results here?

surface marker buoy - SMB with valve, 130cm slim tube

G4T-Oberflaechenboje-Boje-geschlossen-SMB-with-valve-130cm-EXTRA-THIN_1_b2.jpg
 
Go to Bird rock in Catalina. That is where you'll find my brand new, unmarked, Halcyon 3 food SMB. It disappeared on the first five I carried it. Just gotta find it!

FML!
 
Why don't you just buy the Halcyon bag? I don't have much Halcyon gear, for some very specific reasons, but I gave up a long time ago and bought them, because they are quite simply the best.
 

I like on that SMB short tube with nonreversible air valve and nonfastened nipple . I have Halcyon SMB which have that tube much longer .

I have shorted it to size on picture (I have cut two rings on nipple and some space between nipple and valve , instead of SS clamps I use low profile cable ties

ACT Cobra Low Profile Cable Ties# and over them heat shrink tube )



When it is rolled on left pocket the valve is no longer jammed into the pocket.



smb-plus-spool.png original picture
 
The HOG from piranha dive is almost half the price. Still has the nipple though.


36" Inch Hog SMB .."Closed Bottom Type"
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Would you mind spelling out that acronym?


Frog SMB's in the Europe side of the world is 1m tall; but push to inflate.
HOG has a 4.5in SMB that's real skinny and very comparable; also push to inflate.
I think Deep Sea Supply 1m isn't a push to inflate. But kinda odd looking.
I always thought their design shape would make more sense if they had a 4ft or taller SMB.

Other than that. I found this while looking for pictures.
Made by Gear4Tech; Europe side manufacturer.
If you decide to be the guinea pig, would you post your results here?

surface marker buoy - SMB with valve, 130cm slim tube

View attachment 202954



Good find, I seem to have been looking at the same SMB - actually it seems DIRZone are the manufacturers.

DIRZONE

productbig267.png


I emailed DIRZone who confirm there is no nipple to depress before filling

I'll be buying one of these soon and will feedback on this thread

---------- Post added February 11th, 2015 at 03:01 PM ----------

Why don't you just buy the Halcyon bag? I don't have much Halcyon gear, for some very specific reasons, but I gave up a long time ago and bought them, because they are quite simply the best.

I'm based in Europe, the Halcyon 4.5ft SMB sells for £110 in the UK which is $152 + shipping. It's crazy money for a SMB, no matter how good it is - I've nearly pulled the trigger on it a few times but ultimately couldn't justify the cost.

The DIRZone seems like a nice alternative, 1.2m, slim, no nipple on the valve - at €40 + delivery it's worth a shot
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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