User Panel
My order from DECO is still in their system, apparently, and should ship toward the end of this week as they had to go into production on the wings again. I'm thinking of wearing the inflator on the right with a dump on the left, and (if there is room, I have to measure the XDeep) wearing it between my harness and wing on the Stealth as a redundant bladder. If not, I'm sure I can sell it for more than I paid once I add the free inflator/dump my buddy offered me. lol
|
|
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Sweet! My DECO order shipped today and I dove my XDeep for the first time. I still need to make some adjustments but all in all it's a pretty comfortable system.
Also, F the flow at Ginnie. I had the tank valve I was breathing off of come unbungeed in the Ear on my exit and about shit my wetsuit as it was trying to pull the reg out of my mouth. |
|
|
Originally Posted By Marie:
Just picked up my doubles. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/279183/F29439D5-2D7D-4BC0-B8A9-1197B5961D33-769166.jpg View Quote Faber 95's? |
|
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Originally Posted By floridahunter07:
Sweet! My DECO order shipped today and I dove my XDeep for the first time. I still need to make some adjustments but all in all it's a pretty comfortable system. Also, F the flow at Ginnie. I had the tank valve I was breathing off of come unbungeed in the Ear on my exit and about shit my wetsuit as it was trying to pull the reg out of my mouth. View Quote Glad you like your new rig. |
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
|
Great pics! I especially like the first one.
|
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Originally Posted By floridahunter07:
Sweet! My DECO order shipped today and I dove my XDeep for the first time. I still need to make some adjustments but all in all it's a pretty comfortable system. Also, F the flow at Ginnie. I had the tank valve I was breathing off of come unbungeed in the Ear on my exit and about shit my wetsuit as it was trying to pull the reg out of my mouth. View Quote |
|
Look, when I woke up this morning I had no plans to be sexy, but shit happens!
|
Figured out the weight of entire doubles set up, including regs. Probably around 80lbs or so. Each tank is 28lbs empty.
|
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Originally Posted By jerrwhy01: Ginnie is pretty much the only thing open right now. And best of all we get more rain in a couple of days; hurray, more stuff will remain closed. View Quote |
|
|
Originally Posted By floridahunter07: I was shocked there was almost nobody there. Couple instructors and 2-3 students on the cavern side and maybe 5-8 cars on the cave side but nobody else in the water when we got in over there, and never passed another team in the cave. View Quote |
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
So total cost for setting up doubles:
$60 manifold $50 wing replacement parts $30 bands $100 various hoses (wing and drysuit inflator hoses, HP hose for SPG, secondary reg hose) $25 doubles assembly $24 bolt kit $289 total Not bad at all. Amount would have been double that if I’d have needed to get a wing. I already had 7” long hose and SPG from SM setup. Using the Halcyon BP I’ve been diving for 2 years. I already had the tanks and they already had left/right modular valves from SM. |
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Had a very frustrating, as well as educational pool session yesterday afternoon. I was fighting my gear for a good bit. For some reason tank was sitting very low, plus it was rocking quite a bit side to side. Hard to concentrate on frog when I'm fighting my gear. Gal instructor had me switch gear with her. She had on a basic back inflate BC and an AL63. Holy shit. This bit of video is the result. It's a start, anyway.
https://imgur.com/a/AiPVXD2 |
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
I'm giving a smaller BP a try. $225 from Halcyon, but I found a video on small BP for smaller people and it made a lot of sense. There's a rather large gap between my back and top of BP. Belt always seems to be more at my hips than waist. I'm not in the pool again for another month, so I'll have time to play with it at home before getting wet. If it doesn't fit, I can always return it.
|
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Got Intro to Tech scheduled for later next summer, probably August. Going with Steve Simpson (Abnfrog on SB) out of Temagami, Ontario. He’s a TDI instructor trainer. 13 hours each way. He’s former US Special Forces, even though he’s Canadian. Gun nut, too. We had a several hour conversation last night. He offered to teach ITT for free. Has property on Lake Tegagami with a guest cottage (free accomodations) for students. Another SB friend (lowviz) is going to do ITT with me, for the fun of it. He’s the one who sent me the doubles wing and manifold. We’re probably going to do VIP, too. Steve sort specializes in students with physical challenges. He’s got knee issues himself.
Guy I know locally here took an ice diving course as well as VIP from Steve. Said he’s just excellent. I’ve got online friends in the Toronto area, I’m going to see along the way. |
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Originally Posted By Marie:
Got Intro to Tech scheduled for later next summer, probably August. Going with Steve Simpson (Abnfrog on SB) out of Temagami, Ontario. He’s a TDI instructor trainer. 13 hours each way. He’s former US Special Forces, even though he’s Canadian. Gun nut, too. We had a several hour conversation last night. He offered to teach ITT for free. Has property on Lake Tegagami with a guest cottage (free accomodations) for students. Another SB friend (lowviz) is going to do ITT with me, for the fun of it. He’s the one who sent me the doubles wing and manifold. We’re probably going to do VIP, too. Steve sort specializes in students with physical challenges. He’s got knee issues himself. Guy I know locally here took an ice diving course as well as VIP from Steve. Said he’s just excellent. I’ve got online friends in the Toronto area, I’m going to see along the way. View Quote |
|
|
My short BP arrived today. Got everything assembled, adjusted decently, and bolted BP and wing to twinset. OMG, what a difference! Tanks sit so much higher up on my back. Waaayy too low with regular sized plate.
|
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Originally Posted By floridahunter07:
Somewhat unusual, cooler air temperatures tend to bring out more divers in my experiences, as you aren't dying in the heat and oppressive humidity trying to put on undergarments, drysuit, doubles, or dripping sweat just from trying to carry scooters, stages, etc. down to the water before putting any type of exposure protection on. Much easier to slip into a wetsuit when it's 45-50 degrees in the parking lot vs. 90+ and you're sweating your ass off (my skin was dry yesterday because it was in the mid 50's at most and I almost fell through my suit I got in it so fast ). That said, EVERYTHING else here is flooded out right now except for Jug Hole, Ginnie, and Manatee Springs due to the Suwannee River flooding. It's not the worst it's ever been by far, but it's pretty decent. This is Little River normally: https://floridahikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Little-River-Springs-690x460.jpg This is Little River last Friday: https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4819/44473700870_87f5d4bbfa_c.jpg This is the parking lot of Little River yesterday (Tuesday), and taken some 100 or so feet away from there I was standing in the first browned out picture at the top of the wooden steps, which are behind that white sign near the middle of the picture: https://scontent.ftpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/47685961_10161241944355603_3101379640875286528_o.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent.ftpa1-1.fna&oh=d3f20c23d3cd93eef565ebdb333d14ba&oe=5C9422C8 View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By floridahunter07:
Originally Posted By Marie: I take that’s unusual for Ginnie this time of year? I know a lot of Midwestern folks who seem to go down to cave country several times over the winter, beginning with the holidays. That said, EVERYTHING else here is flooded out right now except for Jug Hole, Ginnie, and Manatee Springs due to the Suwannee River flooding. It's not the worst it's ever been by far, but it's pretty decent. This is Little River normally: https://floridahikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Little-River-Springs-690x460.jpg This is Little River last Friday: https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4819/44473700870_87f5d4bbfa_c.jpg This is the parking lot of Little River yesterday (Tuesday), and taken some 100 or so feet away from there I was standing in the first browned out picture at the top of the wooden steps, which are behind that white sign near the middle of the picture: https://scontent.ftpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/47685961_10161241944355603_3101379640875286528_o.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent.ftpa1-1.fna&oh=d3f20c23d3cd93eef565ebdb333d14ba&oe=5C9422C8 In the area for the holiday annoying my kid. We dove Catfish which was close to top to bottom vis. Man was it cold though, air temp mid 40's Retreating South today |
|
|
Some SB people just need to stop pushing GUE Fundies. Me doing SM held them at bay for a while but now I’m doing doubles, they’ve started up again. Fucking idiots. I’m not a Stepford diver.
|
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
|
Originally Posted By bap: I know its an older post, but Manatee is flooded and closed as well. In the area for the holiday annoying my kid. We dove Catfish which was close to top to bottom vis. Man was it cold though, air temp mid 40's Retreating South today View Quote |
|
|
Originally Posted By floridahunter07: Somewhat unusual, cooler air temperatures tend to bring out more divers in my experiences, as you aren't dying in the heat and oppressive humidity trying to put on undergarments, drysuit, doubles, or dripping sweat just from trying to carry scooters, stages, etc. down to the water before putting any type of exposure protection on. Much easier to slip into a wetsuit when it's 45-50 degrees in the parking lot vs. 90+ and you're sweating your ass off (my skin was dry yesterday because it was in the mid 50's at most and I almost fell through my suit I got in it so fast ). That said, EVERYTHING else here is flooded out right now except for Jug Hole, Ginnie, and Manatee Springs due to the Suwannee River flooding. It's not the worst it's ever been by far, but it's pretty decent. This is Little River normally: https://floridahikes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Little-River-Springs-690x460.jpg This is Little River last Friday: https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4819/44473700870_87f5d4bbfa_c.jpg This is the parking lot of Little River yesterday (Tuesday), and taken some 100 or so feet away from there I was standing in the first browned out picture at the top of the wooden steps, which are behind that white sign near the middle of the picture: https://scontent.ftpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/47685961_10161241944355603_3101379640875286528_o.jpg?_nc_cat=101&_nc_ht=scontent.ftpa1-1.fna&oh=d3f20c23d3cd93eef565ebdb333d14ba&oe=5C9422C8 View Quote |
|
I suppose it is possible to convey more ignorance with less words, but I doubt I will ever see it in my lifetime.--Bohr Adam
If LAV promotes using the slide lock/release to chamber a round after a mag change, then he should be ignored.-MP0117 |
Originally Posted By Marie:
Had to run my doubles down to the shop to get the bolts cut shorter. Tried them on with my new short Halcyon plate. So much better fitting than the standard BP. Tanks sit higher on my back where they should be. I’m selling the standard sized plate. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/279183/ACA1AFBF-D002-4927-BE7E-B9069F179675-788535.jpg View Quote |
|
I suppose it is possible to convey more ignorance with less words, but I doubt I will ever see it in my lifetime.--Bohr Adam
If LAV promotes using the slide lock/release to chamber a round after a mag change, then he should be ignored.-MP0117 |
I suppose it is possible to convey more ignorance with less words, but I doubt I will ever see it in my lifetime.--Bohr Adam
If LAV promotes using the slide lock/release to chamber a round after a mag change, then he should be ignored.-MP0117 |
Originally Posted By HeavyMetal:
How much for plate? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By HeavyMetal:
Originally Posted By Marie:
Had to run my doubles down to the shop to get the bolts cut shorter. Tried them on with my new short Halcyon plate. So much better fitting than the standard BP. Tanks sit higher on my back where they should be. I’m selling the standard sized plate. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/279183/ACA1AFBF-D002-4927-BE7E-B9069F179675-788535.jpg |
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Originally Posted By floridahunter07:
The main spring or the whole park? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By floridahunter07:
Originally Posted By bap: I know its an older post, but Manatee is flooded and closed as well. In the area for the holiday annoying my kid. We dove Catfish which was close to top to bottom vis. Man was it cold though, air temp mid 40's Retreating South today |
|
|
New Yesr’s shore dive in Lake Michigan was a bust. Waves too high. We dove off the boat ramp in the marina. Turned out to be a bust. No viz from all the wind. Water temp was 38. We just did a quick dunk and then went for lunch with lots of hot coffee.
|
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Originally Posted By Marie:
New Yesr’s shore dive in Lake Michigan was a bust. Waves too high. We dove off the boat ramp in the marina. Turned out to be a bust. No viz from all the wind. Water temp was 38. We just did a quick dunk and then went for lunch with lots of hot coffee. View Quote |
|
|
Originally Posted By floridahunter07: Dave Zappala was telling me one time about diving off the MA/NJ coast in the winter time and having to be helped back up the beach to the parking lot and into his SUV with the heat running so they could melt the ice off of their gear and get free of it all... View Quote My doubles are all set up. I got the hose I was waiting on. Pool session Sat. The Apeks 5th port kits are still not in yet. Should be in just after I’ve been in the pool. Hose routing I’ve got now is not ideal but it will work until I’ve got the 5th ports. |
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Brought home what I’m calling the Scuba Sherpa Thursday night - 2018 Ford Escape. 2014 Focus was having more of the trans issues they’re known for and at 90K miles, repairs wouldn’t be under warranty. Escape is a base model they were looking to get off the lot. It was reduced so much I paid for it what I paid for my Focus in 2014.
Stopped by the WeatherTech factory store last night to get cargo area and floor liners. |
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Originally Posted By Marie:
Brought home what I’m calling the Scuba Sherpa Thursday night - 2018 Ford Escape. 2014 Focus was having more of the trans issues they’re known for and at 90K miles, repairs wouldn’t be under warranty. Escape is a base model they were looking to get off the lot. It was reduced so much I paid for it what I paid for my Focus in 2014. Stopped by the WeatherTech factory store last night to get cargo area and floor liners. View Quote |
|
|
Originally Posted By Dan_Gray:
Nice! My mom had one branded as a Mazda tribute, pretty good vehicle. Scuba was 50% of the reason I have a Tahoe. Even boring single tank vest bcd diving takes a lot of room, the kind of stuff you and I do, can fill up even a Tahoe. View Quote |
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Doubles maiden voyage in the pool today!
|
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Also just got Mark Powell’s new book, Technical Diving: An Introduction. His first book was Deco for Divers.
I’m about 8 chapters into the new book. Already I can tell it’s much better than TDI’s Intro to Tech manual. |
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Originally Posted By Marie:
First doubles dive today went pretty well. Trim was pretty decent. I was a bit head heavy until we put 2 x 2lb clip weights on my butt D ring. I'm in love! So much better than SM. Got them on, boom! Done! Hauled everything to the pool like I would to the boat - regs and BP already on doubles. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/279183/doubles1-805818.jpg https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/279183/2019_0112_155103_002_JPG-805817.jpg View Quote How much more bottom time do the doubles give you over a single 80? |
|
|
Originally Posted By trout3:
Trim looks great How much more bottom time do the doubles give you over a single 80? View Quote First of all these are steel HP80s, not AL80s. I’m getting time in these in advance of going tech. I’ll be doing my Intro to Tech class in August. I can get two recreational dives out of one set of doubles. A lot of people on the Great Lakes use doubles for recreational charters. They keep the same gear config as their tech dives, plus there is the added advantage of not having to switch tanks between dives. |
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Grabbed a pair of Hog Tech 2 fins off a FB sale group for $60. Jet fin style but heavier than the neutral Deep6 fins I’ve got now. Need something heavier for the doubles. Best of all, they’re in my medium size, which is a rare find. Lot of tech fins are too big for me.
|
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Originally Posted By Marie:
First of all these are steel HP80s, not AL80s. View Quote I've never dove backmounted doubles. Been doing SM... but I agree it's frustrating. Carrying two tanks, a scooter, and fins in soft, wet sand for a shore dive is a huge pain in the ass. Getting out is even worse. I like the advantages SM offers, but I'm not sure it's worth the frustration at this point. |
|
"And remember, keep your pants dry and your dreams wet."
- Wade Wilson |
Originally Posted By pathfinder74:
How much does an HP80 weigh compared to an AL80? I've never dove backmounted doubles. Been doing SM... but I agree it's frustrating. Carrying two tanks, a scooter, and fins in soft, wet sand for a shore dive is a huge pain in the ass. Getting out is even worse. I like the advantages SM offers, but I'm not sure it's worth the frustration at this point. View Quote |
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
"And remember, keep your pants dry and your dreams wet."
- Wade Wilson |
Originally Posted By pathfinder74:
What are the differences in buoyancy characteristics between steel and aluminum empty and full? View Quote At the bottom of this page is a chart with steel specifics and then AL80 for comparison. Link |
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
A friend/dive buddy has been challenging me to stretch myself. If ITT in August goes well, I may very well do AN/DP this year. Locally, it’s been done in Sept/Oct over two weekends. One at the local quarry and then another a couple weeks later at Wazee Lake in WI (about 4 hours away).
|
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Originally Posted By Marie:
There’s a chart on the DGX website. I don’t bother with the specifics much. All I know is I can take weight off my belt with my steels and they’re lovely tanks for me. At the bottom of this page is a chart with steel specifics and then AL80 for comparison. Link View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Marie:
Originally Posted By pathfinder74:
What are the differences in buoyancy characteristics between steel and aluminum empty and full? At the bottom of this page is a chart with steel specifics and then AL80 for comparison. Link Knowing the specifics of the tanks you use will help you get properly weighted. I know what I need if traveling and renting al80s, as well as what I need exactly for each tank I own (faber 117 &lp95, lp72s, pst hp100, lp45 twins). Weight required with 3mm/5mm/nuffin and what bc I am using, or none (backpack diving). I use mostly hard weights, and I have dedicated sets for each combo. |
|
|
Originally Posted By bap:
I like your twins Marie and am glad they are working out. Knowing the specifics of the tanks you use will help you get properly weighted. I know what I need if traveling and renting al80s, as well as what I need exactly for each tank I own (faber 117 &lp95, lp72s, pst hp100, lp45 twins). Weight required with 3mm/5mm/nuffin and what bc I am using, or none (backpack diving). I use mostly hard weights, and I have dedicated sets for each combo. View Quote She suggested putting the weight as low on my body as possible. I'm going to try the weight pockets that came with my original Halcyon BP/W. They're what I've got and at least won't cost me anything to try. The new fins aren't very heavy. They're Hog Tech 2. Even shorter than my Deep6 fins, but that's OK for wreck diving. The Hogs are at least negatively buoyant and somewhat heavier than the Deep6. |
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
Picked up another pair of the older style skinnier (2" wide) tank bands off eBay to use with a 2nd set of doubles. I thought they were going to be harder to find, but they weren't! Found them the first time I went looking!
I have MultiDeco on my phone and I downloaded the desktop version (free for the first month) to my MacBook. |
|
"They know what shipwrecks are, for out of sight of land, however inland, they have drowned full many a midnight ship with all its shrieking crew." - Herman Melville, Moby Dick, 1851, on the Great Lakes
|
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.