Harness with quick release - pros and cons question

[Centrals]

All harness is adjustable even the simple one as long as there is enough length to extent it. The only time that I need to adjust it is when i change to thicker wet suit. For dry suit(very limited experience) I use another harness.
Harness is dirt cheap and readily available any where.

 

[dmaziuk]

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

Freedom Contour plate. I have the Subgravity slider and it works well enough -- stiffer webbing is harder to push through it, easier when wet, -- on the "standard" plate with parallel webbing slots. On the FP the slots are at an angle and the webbing slides without any extras.

Either way you may want to get extra sliders to use as stopper(s).

 

[Danielk]

It's good to know that a solution in form of Subgravity slider actually works.
What is the point in getting a "special" cinch solution (like the Halcyon cinch system) when I can use the slider with any BP and any harness (like the hog 2")?
is it just the branding (and no, I don't think that comparing a Porsche with a Toyota argument, applies here. I don't think it is such a big difference)?

 

[dmaziuk]

Don't know: I only have a basic plate w/ one Subgravity slider and an FP with slightly softer webbing. On the latter adjustment is easier; I could not tell you if that's because of the webbing, the fact that it slides on both sides, or both.

 

[Danielk]

Don't know: I only have a basic plate w/ one Subgravity slider and an FP with slightly softer webbing. On the latter adjustment is easier; I could not tell you if that's because of the webbing, the fact that it slides on both sides, or both.

What harness are you using (the slightly softer webbing)?
In any case I will check what kind of slider seem s to be working the best before ordering (like the AGIR harpa - that also is stated to work best with low friction webbing). I also plan on adding the Weight pockets, trim pockets, shoulder pads (sometimes I dive only wearing a t-shirt) and a pouch.

 

[Magnus Lundstedt]

I have never used anything other than a traditional harnes without any quick release, and i am not flexible in my sholders, but i have no problem taking it on or of either on land or in the water. I find it more easy to get it of in the water than on dry land. I feel that the quick release is a perfect solution to a nonexisting problem.

Try a traditional hogartian harnes, learn to adjust it properly, and if it not work for you, add quick release.

 

[Sevenrider860]

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.

I am curious what failure points you identified with the Halcyon Cinch?

 

[Danielk]

I am curious what failure points you identified with the Halcyon Cinch?

First I don't see anything wrong with the standard harness. In fact I'm still considering it as a replacement for the hog. My comment was about the cinch upgrade. It has too many parts that in my opinion may fail with time. For example the plastic adapter, more screws (i read somewhere that can be opened and closed a limited number of time) and other parts. I realize that the odds for some of the equipment to fail are extremely low but, still people win the lottery every week...Also, if something will fail, it will be harder to fix on site.

For all the above reasons I prefer to get something like the UTD Quick Adjust System but since it was discontinued, I'll go with the slider.

 

[dmaziuk]

What harness are you using (the slightly softer webbing)?

DRiS: it's a bit softer than the webbing that came with my "storm" plate. Keep in mind that webbing usually gets softer when wet, with subgravity slider that makes noticeable difference.

A slider is handy on boats. I have plenty shoulder mobility to get into the kit tied to the knee-high bench and squeezed between two other divers, but why, when I can just sit down, swing the strap over my shoulder, and pull on the waist strap?

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

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. On two occassions, I had to take my shears to the shoulder strap or they would have. I was careful to cut in just the right spot to install a buckle later on.

I know there's a whole school that considers a potential failure spot... but krickies, everything is. Personally, I"m a lot more concerned about my drysuit zipper failing, and about 16 other things. Having said that, but a solid metal buckle on or a delrin squeezy thing in. (I don't prefer those here as they're hard to work with cold-paralyzed fingers.

If your divers are are trying to get their rigs off by putting both arms back and trying to get the rig to slide off behind them then they are doing it wrong. The best way I found is to pull a shoulder strap away from your chest with the opposite hand and then slide your other hand under the shoulder strap and let the strap slide off the outside of your arm. It takes about 2 seconds to get out and there’s no squirming and shaking the rig trying to get it to slide off, swearing, dislocated shoulders, etc.
I’ve been doing it this way ever since I got laughed at by two blokes thoroughly enjoying the show when I first started using BP/W. Then after a while they let me in on the secret.
I’ve been diving off a kayak for years now getting everything on and off in the water with thick wetsuits and for a time with a drysuit /w wooly bear.
The other way in the water is to undo the waist strap and reach back for the valve and pull the whole rig off over your head Mike Nelson style.
This works too.