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Post by Aquala1 on Sept 1, 2022 10:04:04 GMT -8
Aquala, thank you for going into detail and sharing your '59 USD gauge — I've always liked their early skin diver logo. For your retro configuration do you also use a wrist mounted depth gauge, or do you prefer to use one in an old console? You're right, the procedure seems fairly simple. I'm not at the point where I need a drysuit yet, but when I decide to get one I'll pepper you with more questions 😄. JB, how often — if ever — do you dive a full "catalog," as it were? Dive watch and gauge together on one arm. The gauge is a Uwatec/Scubapro Aladin Tec 2G. It’s a computer, but I only use it in gauge mode. It averages my depth, and I run that average against a super simple math equation to get my bottom time. Time which I primarily track on my watch, but the 2G also tracks time. It’s more vintage in configuration and method than it is aesthetic. SPG is analog and runs to my left side. I gave up on consoles a long time ago. And by the way…Zale Parry approves of this method. 😄
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Post by nikeajax on Sept 1, 2022 10:50:30 GMT -8
JB, how often — if ever — do you dive a full "catalog," as it were? Unfortunately not for many years: my lower back is not good After my 'enth time with PT, I may have finally figured out how to rebuild the muscles to get me back into the water Here are more gauges: JB
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Post by Tusker on Sept 23, 2022 16:51:59 GMT -8
A slightly gear-adjacent question — how do you prefer to carry your gear? Is it something you also try to keep appropriate to the period of the equipment, or is it whatever works?
The best ideas will be shamelessly copied and stolen. I currently use a mesh bag I've had since my open water for my usual kit, but don't want to necessarily use it for my old gear.
Jacob
*Edited for clarity — I was trying to say that I was interested in a separate method, not least because most of my gear is in two different locations*
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Post by nikeajax on Sept 23, 2022 17:01:50 GMT -8
Jacob, if ya wanna be real old timey, make a box with handles on either end, that way you can get help carrying it. OK, but it hasta be made from Douglas Fir plywood and slot-tip-screws, it can either hold one or two tanks plus a coupla DH's and other junk too. I use an old welding-tank dolly...
JB
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Post by nikeajax on Sept 23, 2022 17:31:11 GMT -8
The cool thing about Dug Fir is it looks beautiful when it's stained a swell color like aqua or green... Oh, then you can cover your case in stickers too, real official lookin' thataway...
JB
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Post by Aquala1 on Sept 24, 2022 14:53:30 GMT -8
Jacob, for now it’s just been whatever works. Much of my diving is from dive charter boats, and I want to go aboard drawing as little attention as possible so I just roll aboard with a regular dive bag.
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Post by Aquala1 on Sept 25, 2022 8:33:17 GMT -8
Jacob, if ya wanna be real old timey, make a box with handles on either end, that way you can get help carrying it. OK, but it hasta be made from Douglas Fir plywood and slot-tip-screws, it can either hold one or two tanks plus a coupla DH's and other junk too. I use an old welding-tank dolly... JB I’ve seen old wooden milsurp crates used too. WWII vintage would be cool for a 1950s rig.
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Post by Aquala1 on Sept 25, 2022 14:07:47 GMT -8
Here are a few that are on eBay right now. The green one is probably from the ‘50s and looks like it’s homemade using plywood and a military duffel. The next bag looks like it’s more from the ‘60s This one has a more ‘70s look to me.
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Post by nikeajax on Sept 25, 2022 15:00:01 GMT -8
Here's my wife's bag:
and my bag:
We found both of them at a thrift store: I think mine is from a boat called Sinbad. JB
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Post by Tusker on Sept 25, 2022 15:31:23 GMT -8
I’ve seen bags like that before, I like them a lot! I’ve been concerned about overall longevity, particularly in regards to the seams. Then again, I’m mostly just after a solution for local diving and moving stuff to and from the car; the mesh bag I use now will still be used for boat diving.
What I have been thinking is a combination of a plastic tote and a bag in order to split up smaller pieces from larger and to keep regulators protected, but I’m not too sure.
Jacob
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Post by nikeajax on Sept 25, 2022 16:01:11 GMT -8
GRRRRRRRRRRR! I did a search on eBait for "canvas" duffel bag, holy (expletive deleted)! "Genuine Looowey Vooooton"
Might I recommend a military surplus store, or try some thrifty stores, you may even visit the seedier parts of town too...
JB
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Post by Aquala1 on Sept 25, 2022 16:36:43 GMT -8
I’ve seen bags like that before, I like them a lot! I’ve been concerned about overall longevity, particularly in regards to the seams. Then again, I’m mostly just after a solution for local diving and moving stuff to and from the car; the mesh bag I use now will still be used for boat diving. What I have been thinking is a combination of a plastic tote and a bag in order to split up smaller pieces from larger and to keep regulators protected, but I’m not too sure. Jacob For pure utility, you can’t beat one of these. They’re tougher and sturdier than a regular plastic tote.
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Post by SeaRat on Sept 25, 2022 17:16:30 GMT -8
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Post by Tusker on Sept 26, 2022 0:57:32 GMT -8
John, now that I think about it, I saw two of these in a local shop last week. Same price, but one appeared to be in better condition than the other. Were the A3s issued in nylon and cotton? The fabric's hand was quite different between the two. How does your packing system work with it? Jacob
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Post by SeaRat on Sept 26, 2022 9:14:28 GMT -8
John, now that I think about it, I saw two of these in a local shop last week. Same price, but one appeared to be in better condition than the other. Were the A3s issued in nylon and cotton? The fabric's hand was quite different between the two. How does your packing system work with it?
Jacob Jacob, I don't know about those issued in nylon. Mine are cotton (I think). In the USAF we would load everything from parachutes to our dive gear into these bags. Each of us would have probably three or four A3 bags full of gear for different missions. I got out in 1977, and the ones I use are from that era. The bags allowed us to move gear from plane to plane. I remember one day in 1970 when we were going out for a parascuba jump when in the 55th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron where we had to move the gear from one HC-130 aircraft to another, four times when the planes had problems upon startup checklists. We finally found one the passed every check, and were on the taxiway about to move to the active runway when one of the hydraulic lines failed, and sprayed hydraulic fluid all over the side of the aircraft. So we gave up, and cancelled that jump. It happened again yesterday, at our church potluck, someone said during conversations that he could not figure out why anyone would jump out of a "perfectly good airplane." I again told him, "There is no such thing as a 'perfectly good airplane.' A parachute is much more reliable." I was thinking of this above situation when making that comment. HC-130 60219 refueling bird by John Ratliff, on Flickr John
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