Preferred Snap Bolts?

[Mouse51180]

I just started getting into sidemount diving. I purchased a bunch of 1" snap bolts from my local shop and they work fine, but chewed up my thumbs during my training this weekend.

One of the other divers said he heard of some premium snap bolts that were not as aggressive on the thumbs, but couldn't remember who made them.

Im curious what everyone else is using or if they recommend one brand over another. I dont know who manufactured the snap bolts I have now, but the XDeep bolts look interesting with the off-centered swivel and the finger support on the back, but I did not see any info about how it is for thumbs.
https://www.xdeep.eu/nx-series-bolt-snaps-scuba-pr-140.html

The other one I was looking at were the Dive Rite bolts that are advertised as "Each bolt snap is meticulously inspected at our factory to ensure smooth edges that won't cut fingers"
Swivel Bolt Snaps | Dive Rite

 

[rhwestfall]

Were the ones you got plain brass?

 

[rhwestfall]

I get most of mine from DGX, Piranha, and NESS

 

[Manatee Diver]

My two cents a baby cave diver in sidemount.

I own two to the XDeep clips (the small and double ender) they are easy to use, I've put the small bolt snap on my sidemount long hose, and I would use the double ender on my can light if it were shorter, but it is too long for all the applications that I use double enders for. I felt that large was too big, and I prefer butterfly snaps for my bottom clips on my bottles (an idea I got from Edd when I did my sidemount course at his shop). I would consider switching if I had an instructor that insisted that I couldn't use butterfly.

But outside the long hose in sidemount, I don't see anything that I clip off nearly often enough to justify three times the price over other bolt snaps, except maybe a SPG on backmount if you aren't using AI.

Otherwise I get most of my clips from DGX or Piranha. And the only thing that chews up my fingers is the cave.

 

[Mouse51180]

Were the ones you got plain brass?

Yes...just simple all brass snap bolts.

. I would consider switching if I had an instructor that insisted that I couldn't use butterfly.

Yea...my shop is pretty gung-ho about not using anything that might cause an unintended catch point.

 

[Rollin Bonz]

DGX
Reasonably priced and functional

 

[tbone1004]

Yes...just simple all brass snap bolts.

brass is the problem, they've got to be stainless. Brass gets burrs and chews up your fingers and gloves

 

[_Ralph]

I like the small and medium clips available from DGX.

I’ve put my hands on the xdeep clips. They work awesome! Just can’t afford the price tag on them...

_R

 

[rhwestfall]

as @tbone1004 said, the brass clip is the problem. They tend to develop sharp edges. A Dremel solves that, but it is a temporary solution...

 

[Graeme Fraser]

I just started getting into sidemount diving. I purchased a bunch of 1" snap bolts from my local shop and they work fine, but chewed up my thumbs during my training this weekend.

One of the other divers said he heard of some premium snap bolts that were not as aggressive on the thumbs, but couldn't remember who made them.

Im curious what everyone else is using or if they recommend one brand over another. I dont know who manufactured the snap bolts I have now, but the XDeep bolts look interesting with the off-centered swivel and the finger support on the back, but I did not see any info about how it is for thumbs.
https://www.xdeep.eu/nx-series-bolt-snaps-scuba-pr-140.html

The other one I was looking at were the Dive Rite bolts that are advertised as "Each bolt snap is meticulously inspected at our factory to ensure smooth edges that won't cut fingers"
Swivel Bolt Snaps | Dive Rite

I like the xdeep boltsnaps, particularly the small 1/2 inch which I tend to use for my BM longhose. They work well with thick gloves bit also nice barehanded.

Here's one up against a standard 1 inch.

Sorry for the picture quality.