Velcro "attachments" on BCD?

[hmb]

Hi,

This is just a newbie question. Probably, stupid.

My gauges usually hanging down when I dive, I tried to put this thing (gauges) into my BCD pocket, it's falling off... I recently saw a picture of adiver with dozens of small items hanging down...

Is it possible to attach small velcro rectangles to the BCD front?
Put (glue) another piece of velcro on the gauges. So it is easy to attach or take gauge from the BCD. Nothing is hanging down.

I look at few scubadiving web stores - but was not able to find anything of this kind. Or is this technically difficult to do? Or inconvenient?

TIA

[IrishSquid]

Originally Posted by hmb

Hi,

This is just a newbie question. Probably, stupid.

My gauges usually hanging down when I dive, I tried to put this thing (gauges) into my BCD pocket, it's falling off... I recently saw a picture of adiver with dozens of small items hanging down...

Is it possible to attach small velcro rectangles to the BCD front?
Put (glue) another piece of velcro on the gauges. So it is easy to attach or take gauge from the BCD. Nothing is hanging down.

I look at few scubadiving web stores - but was not able to find anything of this kind. Or is this technically difficult to do? Or inconvenient?

TIA

No question is stupid if you're looking for info. Check into stainless steel snap bolts, tied with cave line or zip tied to whatever it is you want to streamline. The DIR / Tech forums usually have great info on this.

[RoadRacer1978]

Velcro is ok, but you have to have a really large area for it to work well under water. I have a clip that attaches my guages to the bcd. the clip is a 2 piece thing with velcro in the middle holding it together. The velcro is sandwiched between two other pieces of velcro. It worked great new, but the velcro is beginning to fail now. And with only about 20 dives on it. I would stick with a snap bolt and caveline if it were me. This will be a lot easier and last forever. I am sure my description is really confusing, but I am just trying to make the point that velcro is not always a good choice for underwater use.

[hmb]

Originally Posted by RoadRacer1978

Velcro is ok, but you have to have a really large area for it to work well under water. I have a clip that attaches my guages to the bcd. the clip is a 2 piece thing with velcro in the middle holding it together. The velcro is sandwiched between two other pieces of velcro. It worked great new, but the velcro is beginning to fail now. And with only about 20 dives on it. I would stick with a snap bolt and caveline if it were me. This will be a lot easier and last forever. I am sure my description is really confusing, but I am just trying to make the point that velcro is not always a good choice for underwater use.

Thank you,
It is clear for me now that more Rings on BCD is the only option.

[rfreddo]

I think this is the clip RoadRacer1978 mentioned.

QRBOH2, Accessories-Clips & Retractors, Cetecea, QRBOH2

I use this one also to keep my Octo-Z from dangling. I agree with the durability of the velcro. After 9 dives with one to two separations per dive, the velcro is pretty much worn out.

[RoadRacer1978]

I think that is it. Worked great at first, but the velcro seems to be getting weaker and not wanting to hold as well as it firts did. Of course I am using it for my guages, not an octo. That might make a difference. The 3 guage console weighs quite a bit more than an octo would.

[Puffer Fish]

For gauges, I use one of these, attached to the waist belt...put the ring part on the gauge, and use the qd to attach and unattach. It allows you to pull the gauge up to look at it, but always goes back..

Multi Mount High Force BC Retractor (RC002-HF), Accessories: Clips, Cetecea, Multi Mount High Force BC Retractor (RC002-HF)

I keep expecting one to break, but after several hundred dives.. it is still working great...

I hate snap bolts... just get sand in them and you will also..

[Grin]

I had a retractor attached to my computer console for awhile. But since I open water dive, I removed it and just let it fly. It doesn't get in the way and is always right there for a quik grab and look. If penetrating wrecks or caves etc... then it may be a issue. I had a retracter on my belt and could grab the computer for a look and let go and it retracted back to the belt area. I thought it was a good idea, but it actually took more of a beating in that area. I spearfish and lobster dig alot, and sooner or later you find yourself with an arm up in a hole and your belly grinding on the bottom. So the belt area was a poor choice for my computers location.

[PsychDiver]

I use a retractor with a clip for my gauges. My Octo is attached by a velcro attachment. I can pull out the gauges when I need and unclip it when I want to use the compass. My octo is easily available if needed and it is much easier to use than those sockets you slip the mouth piece of the octo in.

[Soonerwink]

I agree the retractor clipped to a D ring works great for my console. Velcro does attract a lot of dirt and sea weeds, and it also attaches to your wetsuit and piles the fabric.