NudeDiver
Contributor
OK - for those of you who have been following my pony bottle drama, you know that I got a 19cf bottle with quick draw bracket. Thanks
Now I am trying to figure out how I want to rig it - using this bracket (not gonna sling it this time around). As I see it, options include:
Bottle options
Primary Regulator options
Pony Regulator Options
I can see some pros and cons with all of these. I'll point out my preferred config, explain why, and then listen to what people have to say.
Bottle right - valve down
I know a lot of people put it on the left. However, my thinking is that one day, I may have an argon bottle over there, feeding my drysuit. So, it seems like I should put the pony on the left, if for no other reason than to balance out the argon bottle on the left (which is where I've seen people typically wearing argon bottles). Now - as for valve down - it's easier to reach the valve down there, so why not? The only advantage to valve up that I see is that it would let me have a shorter hose, I guess.
Primary Reg - short hose and necklace
I have an octo configured like this now - I like it. It's just right there. Only reason I can see NOT to do this is because it's not standard (but then, neither is a pony). If I need to provide air to someone, they get the pony reg - which runs counter to the DIR ideal of giving the OOA diver your primary, since it is known to work. I know I'm not running a DIR setup anyway - I'm just pointing that out.
Pony Reg - long hose, bungied to pony
I have a 5' hose that I can use. If I used this hose, I could bungie it to the pony, regulator down. If I needed to deploy, then I reach around, grab the reg, and pull it out - then use it or provide to an OOA diver. If I am using it myself, then I am good to go. Primary reg is already secured via the necklace, and off I go. If I need to pass it off, then once everyone calms down, then I release the quick bracket, and clip bottle to the OOA diver's BC, and then off we go.
I can see issues all the way around - but I'm sure I can benefit from everyone else's perspective. I'd like answers to take two parts.
a). Configuration if solo diving.
b). Configuration if buddy diving.
You may or may not have a difference recommendation for both parts, but if you have the same answer, please explain why. Otherwise, please explain the rationale behind your part a and b answers.
Thanks!
nd
Now I am trying to figure out how I want to rig it - using this bracket (not gonna sling it this time around). As I see it, options include:
Bottle options
- Bottle right, valve up
- Bottle right, valve down
- Bottle left, valve up
- Bottle left, valve down
Primary Regulator options
- 5' hose
- standard hose
- short hose and necklace
Pony Regulator Options
- short hose and necklace
- standard hose, bungied to pony
- 5' hose, bungied to pony
I can see some pros and cons with all of these. I'll point out my preferred config, explain why, and then listen to what people have to say.
Bottle right - valve down
I know a lot of people put it on the left. However, my thinking is that one day, I may have an argon bottle over there, feeding my drysuit. So, it seems like I should put the pony on the left, if for no other reason than to balance out the argon bottle on the left (which is where I've seen people typically wearing argon bottles). Now - as for valve down - it's easier to reach the valve down there, so why not? The only advantage to valve up that I see is that it would let me have a shorter hose, I guess.
Primary Reg - short hose and necklace
I have an octo configured like this now - I like it. It's just right there. Only reason I can see NOT to do this is because it's not standard (but then, neither is a pony). If I need to provide air to someone, they get the pony reg - which runs counter to the DIR ideal of giving the OOA diver your primary, since it is known to work. I know I'm not running a DIR setup anyway - I'm just pointing that out.
Pony Reg - long hose, bungied to pony
I have a 5' hose that I can use. If I used this hose, I could bungie it to the pony, regulator down. If I needed to deploy, then I reach around, grab the reg, and pull it out - then use it or provide to an OOA diver. If I am using it myself, then I am good to go. Primary reg is already secured via the necklace, and off I go. If I need to pass it off, then once everyone calms down, then I release the quick bracket, and clip bottle to the OOA diver's BC, and then off we go.
I can see issues all the way around - but I'm sure I can benefit from everyone else's perspective. I'd like answers to take two parts.
a). Configuration if solo diving.
b). Configuration if buddy diving.
You may or may not have a difference recommendation for both parts, but if you have the same answer, please explain why. Otherwise, please explain the rationale behind your part a and b answers.
Thanks!
nd