Harness with quick release - pros and cons question

[Ontwreckdiver]

Take a look at the Sub Gravity adjustable harness system. It is similar to the Golem Gear harness except that it has stainless steel buckles on both shoulder straps. Adjustable Harness System - Subgravity

 

[Diving Dubai]

I have 2 rigs with QR harnesses, which I use for boat diving. I never use the QR to get out of my kit. I find that most people's problems with single webbing harnesses is because they have the shoulder straps too tight. I have mine quite loose and never use the sternum clip

Both of mine are the Dive Rite with plastic clips, and both have survived many hundreds of dives over 4 years in the Middle East, where the heat and UV quickly deteriorate most plastics

I like the ease of adjustment, so that I can simple release or tighten the shoulder straps to suit different thickness of exposure protection. Whether I'm in a dry suit or just a 3mm

 

[Danielk]

Thanks a lot!
I think I will go with a harness that can be adjusted but without a QR (like the Halcyon with a cinch enhancement).
I hope this way, I will still be able to get in and out of the harness but still keep the entire rig as streamlined as possible.
But, here another issue I encountered:
After browsing the internet I noticed that, all harnesses (and backplates for this matter) are almost identical and I am overwhelmed by the number of the different manufacturers and possibilities.
Is there a manufacturer that is more recommended then others (BTW, same question goes for the BP)?
Are there any compatibility issues between harnesses and BP from different manufacturers?
What harness would you recommend from your own personal experience?

 

[rongoodman]

As long as you are using an STA, mixing and matching isn't an issue because of the standard 11" spacing between the bolt holes. If not, you'll have to make sure the slots in the plate and wing match up. I've been diving a standard one-piece harness for years, but lately my shoulders are giving me trouble and because I had to take my rig off in the water on the Red Sea trip in March, I'll probably use the Golem harness when I return. I've had Halcyon gear since I started, but it's expensive. Deep Sea Supply used to be very popular on the board, but he went out of business. Others will no doubt chime in with their favorites.

 

[Doc Harry]

If you ever plan on diving from a small boat where you need to dump your tanks in the water before you haul your butt into the boat, a QR shoulder release is mandatory in my opinion. The number times I've had divers damn near drown a foot from my boat as they struggle with their arms pinned behind them. .

Just pull the tanks off over your head. Quick. Painless. No struggling. Easy even with a tight harness.

 

[happy-diver]

When I get back to my truck wasted after a long climb or hike with not a zac of energy left
I rest my tank on the closed tailgate then unclip the left strap and let gravity pull my gear in

and if I don't disconnect my drysuit gravity pulls me in too, well it's more like a flip than a pull

 

[ams511]

All plates look similar but there are differences unless one is a copy of another. For example the plate bend, slot spacing, attachment holes vary from plate to plate.

The cinch will only work with Halcyon plates or a copy. Other than that most harnesses can be used with any backplate. So you can mix and match.

 

[uncfnp]

This probably does not apply to the op but for others.

When I switched to BPW I made my own version of a comfort harness with two quick releases. When it was time to reweb the plate I decided to try the single webbing configuration. Over all it worked very well for me, except in two situation, surface removal or if removing the unit when standing (the Cozumel boat I dive likes to take it off after you board and before getting seated).

On the surface it was just too awkward. Standing, the weight of the tank pulls the shoulder loops too tight for me to chicken wing it off and the crew assisting does not support the weight of the tank as it slides off and that puts my (already hurting) back into a very painful position. I am hoping that sewing a single quick release onto the left shoulder will resolve both these issues.

 

[Stoo]

Just pull the tanks off over your head. Quick. Painless. No struggling. Easy even with a tight harness.

Perhaps in a wetsuit with a single tank and calm water. Pretty much everyone I dive with wears double steels, dives SM, or is diving a RB. Literally everyone is in a drysuit. Our water is frequently rough. I hear what your saying, but it's not as simple as it sounds with this gear on.

Apart from all of that, I just don't see why everyone freaks out or a shoulder buckle. I mean if these buckles were so prone to failure, wouldn't weightbelts be dropping all over the place, with the bodies that they used to be wrapped around rocketing to the surface.

I continuous harness serves not purpose that I can see, and creates it's own set of potential issues, some of which are greater than the (minimal) risk of a failed shoulder strap.

 

[Danielk]

Thanks for all the help, I learned a LOT from this thread!!!
After considering all the comments I think that, what would suite the best is a harness that can be adjusted but without the QR. Especially when I have no experience diving in a BP/W setup.
What I really want is a harness as streamlined as possible without any unnecessary toys and pieces of harness dangling from it. After considering all options, there are two possible setups out there:
1. An adjustable harness
2. A standard (single webbing) harness with an adapter to the backplate

The first category I looked at:
Golem Gear G1- suits any backplate and cheap. but, Has a single QR buckle and the crotch strap sold separately
Halcyon Cinch Harness - has great reviews and easy to use. but, expensive, Has to be used with Halcyon Backplate and a more complex mechanism - more failing points.
TECLINE Comfort-Harness - Very expensive and Has dangling endings but, Fits any backplate
Subgravity Adjustable Harness - expensive and Has dangling endings and QRs (Very streamlined QR buckle) but, fits any backplate
AGIR harpa - relatively cheap and easy to setup. But, does not include D-rings, buckles, etc… (will add an additional cost and hassle) and works best with low friction webbing
OMS SmartStream - Fits any backplate, streamlined but has an additional buckle on the side and not cheap

In The second category I looked at
Cinch Adapter for Tecline Backplate - has to be used with Tecline Backplate (or drill your own holes)
How it will work with a Backplate Pad??
Subgravity slider - Very simple mechanism, extremely cheap, fits any backplate and no dangling endings
Backplate Slider - Very simple mechanism, extremely cheap, fits any backplate and no dangling endings but, an an known manufacturer, unknown quality

So, in conclusion from the first category I like the OMS SmartStream and from the second category I liked the
Hog Hogarthian Harness Basic with the Subgravity slider.

I'm leaning towards the second option (Hog Hogarthian Harness Basic with the Subgravity slider). It is an inexpensive, robust single webbing harness and, I can always remove the adapter

Did anyone tried the Subgravity slider (or any other adapter)? What would you choose?
Any other possibilities I missed?