SMB?

[Marcus]

Which SMB do people recommend/prefer?? I have a Dive Rite Transplate and and am looking for a good SMB to purchase that is relatively low profile and mounting options. Opinions?

[mentalmarine]

I have had my eye on the DAN one that scubatoys has for 49 right now. I would like to tag on to your question, is the DAN SMB to large or is it easly stored?

[Marcus]

Originally Posted by mentalmarine

I have had my eye on the DAN one that scubatoys has for 49 right now. I would like to tag on to your question, is the DAN SMB to large or is it easly stored?

The Dan one looks pretty cool because it comes with a kit attatched that has a mirror, glow stick, whistle etc. Curious what others use and like.

[cmburch]

I use a CO2 popper float attached to my belt. Expensive though ~$75, but multipurpose. Carter Spearfishing Float. CO2 or 3 breaths to inflate.

Spear Fishing Bouys Safety Sausage

[skdvr]

I have this SMB and I also have this liftbag. The SMB actually rolls up smaller than the liftbag, but I think that the lift bag is easier to handle underwater, since there is not as much material. Since I am not an Ocean diver I just carry the lift bag most of the time. I take the SMB with my sometimes just to shoot it.

The way I carry mine is I have a quick link that I have attachen to a bottom hole in my backplate and then I have a double ender that is attached to the SMB and to the quick link. It just hangs back there until I am ready to use it...

Phil

[CODMAN]

I bought the DAN SMB from scubatoys and put about 75 dives on it (most of which I deployed at the end) while doing my DM course in the Philippines. Honnestly, I love the thing! It was my first SMB, but it works really well, the different inflation options are practical, has a deflate valve, is just big enough (but not too big), has reflective tape and stores quite small. My instructor, who is a very very experienced technical diver, was very impressed with it and wanted one (I gave it to him before I left). I was using it with the 10$ spool from Scubatoys (which I would recommend changing the brass dogbone clip for a Stainless version). I'll definetly be buying another one soon! If you have specific questions, fire away...

Very good buy for the price!

[BobbyWombat]

Does the DAN SMB have a baffle to keep it from deflating on the surface? I've noticed this is a feature of a number of other SMBs.

[CODMAN]

Yes it does (I forgot to add that)! And it works very well. When deploying at depth, my SMB was reaching the surface nice and full and it stayed that way!

Originally Posted by BobbyWombat

Does the DAN SMB have a baffle to keep it from deflating on the surface? I've noticed this is a feature of a number of other SMBs.

[abcitydiver]

I have the Zeagle smb that scuba toys has, it comes with a reel, pouch and brass snap. the pouch attaches easily in a variety of different ways to any bc via several riveted openings along one spine of the pouch.
This is not a low profile smb, and since in my mind, low profile = small = dangerously pointless.
This smb has the baffle, inflates BOTH orally and via either an octo or inflator both underwater and at the surface.
BIG IS GOOD. BIG IS SAFE. IMHO

[terrillja]

I have a halcyon closed circuit smb, so it won't dump even if it falls over on the surface- the only way for the air to get out is for you to pull the dump/OPV. it fits easily inside the DR life bag sleeve, which attaches nicely to the bottom of my DR plate. I also dive a transplate, and I am very happy with my setup. I can send pictures if you'd like.

FWIW, I have the 4.5' halycon smb, which is rated for 40lbs lift, but can do 50lbs by my tests today.