SS cam bands Vs "plastic" cam bands

[buddhasummer]

Sorry if this question is inane but here goes:

Im in the process of making up a travel rig as I intend to move to Thailand next year, I have an AL back plate and will be getting an 18lb Mach V wing. I have SS cam bands but am considering buying some "plastic" cam bands from DSS as I figure they will be lighter than the SS ones, trying to save as much weight as possible. Does anyone know how sturdy etc the plastic ones are? Cheers in advance.

[navyhmc]

I've had a few plastic cam bands over the years, for the most part, they are sturdy and can hold up to normal use. The one thing that they don't like is sudden impacts-I have had one break when a tank fell over and the buckle hit a steel deck with full force, broke like a wine glass on a mantel. I switched to SS right after that. Not saying the SS won't bend a little under the same situation, but at least I can hopefully bend it back give the right pair of vice grips or pliers.

[buddhasummer]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

I've had a few plastic cam bands over the years, for the most part, they are sturdy and can hold up to normal use. The one thing that they don't like is sudden impacts-I have had one break when a tank fell over and the buckle hit a steel deck with full force, broke like a wine glass on a mantel. I switched to SS right after that. Not saying the SS won't bend a little under the same situation, but at least I can hopefully bend it back give the right pair of vice grips or pliers.

Cheers for the reply, do they cinch up as tight and easy as the SS ones?

Or has anyone seen the 1.5" SS low profile cam bands from DiveRite?

[mitsuguy]

I don't believe there is much, if any, weight difference between the two...

That being said, call me old fashioned, but I prefer the plastic cam bands to the metal bands...

Aside from the above mentioned scenario, I think you would be hard pressed to find many failures of the plastic cam bands (and if so, most likely they would be extremely old and worn out), and honestly, you would find the same types of failures even with the metal cam bands... metal fatigues as well...

[Flatliner]

I have to disagree with mits. Having personally had a plastic cam band fail on a trip I am a firm believer in the SS ones. Sure I carry a spare in my save a dive kit but I haven't needed it since I switched to SS.

[IndyDiver]

I have never had any problems with plastic cam latches. They tighten up just as tight as the SS dive rites I have and I have never broken one or actually seen one break myself.

The only tank attachment failure I have personnally been involved with is having the top bolt come off on my son's STA. The tank swiveled on the lower bolt, and was sideways on his back hanging by the bungee on his secondary reg. It was OK while he was in trim, but he had to take the reg out of the bungee to avoid choking while vertical on the surface. Another good thing about a 7' longhose - it is easy to breath from a tank that is hanging upside down with the valve below your butt.

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by Flatliner

I have to disagree with mits. Having personally had a plastic cam band fail on a trip I am a firm believer in the SS ones. Sure I carry a spare in my save a dive kit but I haven't needed it since I switched to SS.

What type of failure???

We have approximately 100 rental BC's and have only had one failure - these things go through hundreds of dives, sometimes 4-5 dives a day and no issues - they are beat up and abused...

I didn't say it was impossible, just not common... The metal ones can fail as well, just fyi...

[ReefHound]

I discovered one of my plastic buckles was broken last weekend. I was still able to cinch it down and have two bands but I'm glad I discovered it here at the local lake than at the start of my liveaboard trip in two weeks. I think I will add an extra buckle to my save-a-dive kit now.

[awap]

With 2 cam bands, I would not worry about using plastic buckles. I use all SS primarily because I like the style of the scubapro buckle. When I first assembles my UL travel BC I used one SP buckle and one plastic. My check luggage was well within weight allowance so I retired the plastic buckle from that rig. If weight is so critical, perhaps you should plan on mailing some stuff after you get there so you will have backup gear as well as higher quality but somewhat weightier stuff.

[Flatliner]

The failure I had was a crack on the point where most of the pressure is when it is tightened up. I had two on the rig so I was still able to complete the dive. I realize they may not be common but since I personally had a failure I am a believer in the SS ones. I don't have a problem with someone diving a plastic one I just choose not to now. I also traveled a lot at the time so who knows what abuse that buckle had seen at the hands of the luggage apes.