Harness System

[Donkey]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the advice on my equipment questions.
I am left with one finall thing and thats the harness system.

I have been looking at the Dive Rite Transplate and the OMS Comfort Harness System and a Zeagle deluxe harness.

Does anyone have any experience with these harness systems?

I am trying to figure out the difference between the Transplate and the OMS Harness but the only difference I can see is the price. Why is the Transplate so pricy?

Any info is welcome and much appreciated.

Greetz,

Ties

[fisheater]

Why not consider the cheaper, more streamlined, fully adjustable Hog harness?

[Flatliner]

I have to agree. I have dove a transpac (with a system similar to the transplate system) and have dove a basic hog harness. This is one case where I found that "Deluxe" wasn't better. I would encourage you to try a simple hog set up first. If you don't like it, sell the hardware later and all you are out is a little webbing.

[Grin]

I wanted the best and went to order a fancy harness. Tobin at DSS talked me out of it. Another thanks to DSS for saving me from myself. I'd get a hog harness if I were you. Fancy and more money is not always better.

[rongoodman]

If you have to have some type of quick release because of anatomical issues or whatever, take a look at the Golem G2. No plastic or padding, you could probably drop a set of double 130s on those SS buckles without any effect. Halcyon is coming out with an adjustable harness too, but I think it will only fit on their plate.

[Donkey]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the replys.

I am a recreational scuba instructor and because I need to demonstrate certain skills my gear needs to function like the shop BCD's untill a certain degree . This is why I am going for a comfort/delux harness.

I am just switching to a wing and backplate for my own comfort and am not a DIR diver or whatsoever.

A hog harness isnt going te be my choice so if you have any reccomandations on a delux/comfort harness or can tell me the difference between the OMS and the transplate please help me out.

Thanks again,

Ties

[TJDiver]

Originally Posted by rongoodman

If you have to have some type of quick release because of anatomical issues or whatever, take a look at the Golem G2. No plastic or padding, you could probably drop a set of double 130s on those SS buckles without any effect. Halcyon is coming out with an adjustable harness too, but I think it will only fit on their plate.

Here's the new Halcyon rig. Looks like it has a nice padded plate and shoulder straps, and comes standard with weight pockets. Halcyon means $$$, but it is a nice looking rig. I haven't been able to find anything on what the pricing will be.

Infinity BC System | Halcyon Dive Systems

[CompuDude]

The Infinity BC system is a cool concept, but the instructor is going to need quick releases to demo gear removals to people wearing traditional BCs. Demonstrating Hog harness removal techniques won't work in his situation. The Infinity system is an impressive adaptation of the hog harness, but it's still a hog harness and lacks the quick releases the instructor needs. It's not for size adjustability, it's so he can demonstrate releasing quick releases to the students who are wearing BCs with quick releases. It's a shame, but I get it.

And in answer to your question, it makes no sense to me why the DiveRite Transplate harness (only) is so expensive (~$170) compared to the nearly-identical appearing OMS comfort harness (~$90). I suspect either would do the job. Personally I'm not a big fan of many OMS products, but their gear is generally pretty durable and I see nothing wrong with the harness, for this application. I don't like the look of the Zeagle as much, and for gear demo purposes, it looks like the QR's may not be optimally placed.

Whatever you get, please be sure to get an appropriately-sized wing. Bigger is NOT better.

[TJDiver]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

The Infinity BC system is a cool concept, but the instructor is going to need quick releases to demo gear removals to people wearing traditional BCs. Demonstrating Hog harness removal techniques won't work in his situation. The Infinity system is an impressive adaptation of the hog harness, but it's still a hog harness and lacks the quick releases the instructor needs. It's not for size adjustability, it's so he can demonstrate releasing quick releases to the students who are wearing BCs with quick releases. It's a shame, but I get it.

And in answer to your question, it makes no sense to me why the DiveRite Transplate harness (only) is so expensive (~$170) compared to the nearly-identical appearing OMS comfort harness (~$90). I suspect either would do the job. Personally I'm not a big fan of many OMS products, but their gear is generally pretty durable and I see nothing wrong with the harness, for this application. I don't like the look of the Zeagle as much, and for gear demo purposes, it looks like the QR's may not be optimally placed.

Whatever you get, please be sure to get an appropriately-sized wing. Bigger is NOT better.

I assume you're talking about the shoulder harness quick releases? I've been thru two OW classes in my life...once in '84...and, again this past August when I re-certified with my son...and, neither of them demo'd the quick releases. We simply released our waist buckle and cumberbund, and slipped the BC off our arms for doffing gear in the water. The instructor in my recent class had a Halcyon BP/W rig, and demonstrated gear doffing without any problem. None of the class had any issues following his lead with their BC's. Have you seen classes that uncouple all buckles on the BC's? That would be ill advised in training, as it's just too much to re-fasten when donning the gear again...not to mention, just plain unnecessary to doff/don a BC.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by TJDiver

I assume you're talking about the shoulder harness quick releases? I've been thru two OW classes in my life...once in '84...and, again this past August when I re-certified with my son...and, neither of them demo'd the quick releases. We simply released our waist buckle and cumberbund, and slipped the BC off our arms for doffing gear in the water. The instructor in my recent class had a Halcyon BP/W rig, and demonstrated gear doffing without any problem. None of the class had any issues following his lead with their BC's. Have you seen classes that uncouple all buckles on the BC's? That would be ill advised in training, as it's just too much to re-fasten when donning the gear again...not to mention, just plain unnecessary to doff/don a BC.

You don't necessarily actually fully release/unbuckle the QR's, but you do loosen the straps at the those QR buckles. Loosening, and then re-tightening the straps, is part of the doff/don procedure in most PADI classes I've been a part of.