Really enjoying this series on self reliance diving and especially this clamp as compared to the XS Scuba one. Even if I never dive alone, I see the self reliant course and setup in my future, especially when the pony is essentially out of the way but always there. Thank you for sharing these videos
I ordered one last week after watching your review video. I am starting to dive deeper spear fishing in the gulf and felt like I needed to add an additional air source. Thanks for the review and video of your setup. I plan on using mine this weekend and start practicing with it for my deeper dives.
Good info on the pony and mounting system. Solo diving definitely in my future. Also nice to see you show it on a dive too. St. Croix looks amazing btw - that water - my, oh, my!
Thanks for featuring such a great product. The #1 thing that bothers me when using my current pony mount is that the tanks hit each other slightly when walking into the water. Ding. Ding. Ding. OMG! I'm going to switch it out with a Shark Mount tomorrow.
I have 2 of them and I use 1 on every dive, I put a weight pocket on the strap, of which it is on the other side of the main tank, i had to go to the dive shops with the strap and find the right one. ( 6 pds of weights ) . the way i have it i can release the strap and the pocket is mounted full time. I practed a few times and readjusted things several times. so on a tank switch out i take the pony off first and put it on last.
Just received my Shark Pony Mount Bracket today!!!! I ordered it on Monday and it arrived today (Friday) via FEDEX ground. CAN'T WAIT to dive it instead of traditionally slinging my independent gas source (IGS) for only emergency-use. I might employ the 30" SPG hose, as well, for Self-Reliant/Solo diving or any dive beyond 100 feet to assure I have redundancy (even though there would usually be a dive buddy) since MORE GAS is GOOD just in case your buddy's surname is "Murphy"!!! P.S. I've dived the World these past 45 years but haven't dived STX since February 1977. I NEED to get back there in the next few months!!!
I just want to mention an alternate hose routing. Lyell is fortunate to have a second stage that converts from right to left side flow. I picked up a heavily discounted Apeks XL4+ 1st and 2nd stage. I would've liked to purchase something else but it was heavily discounted. And it is a over-right-shoulder hose setup. Which is preferable to me actually. Because it replaces my primary tank octopus. So I route the Apeks from the pony bottle over my right shoulder and onto my neck with a necklace. Because the Apeks is light/compact, I don't feel it. And its right there where I need it - tank on. This is an alternate way to route your pony bottle second stage without needing to convert to left-side routing or purchase a convertible second stage. Thanks for the topic, Lyell. We've been able to have good dialogue on here.
Since you have the pony bottle as a redundant system, do you need the octopus? I was thinking since you are solo diving you don’t need a safe second so could you use your safe second for your regulator on the pony. I know you would have to switch it back when You dive with a buddy, but I thought it would work. Your thoughts?
You are correct. You could remove the octopus as a solo diver but for ease of not having to remove and replace it I generally leave it attached. Thanks for your question and thanks for watching!
hi Lyle i ask the same question in another vid so i have my answer. So i went to the dive shop, i ask them to remove my octo and put it on my 30 CF, they said no no you could not do that. You need to keep your reg and octo on your bcd plus having a reg on your 30 CF. They said i could have problem with my reg and still need my octo. Well if have a problem with my primary most likely it will come for from the first stage, so i will use the octo on my 30 cf anyway and stop the dive. They said no agency or instructors will do that.anyway i walk away cause the didn't won't to reconfigure my setup
@@everythingscuba While diving deep WW-II wrecks at Truk Lagoon (Chuuk, F.S.M.) in 2013, I mounted a 30 cuft pony with a "button SPG" mounted directly to the pony's HP port on its 1st stage. The pony (for emergency use only!!!) was mounted directly on on my back-mounted AL-100. While navigating through one wreck (HEIAN MARU), I somehow banged the fixed "button SPG" against an unforgiving steel hatch and the collision cracked the tempered glass faceplate! I was lucky that the gass did not freeflow! I swapped it out for a 2-1/2" SPG on a 6" hose between dives and the button gauge went in the trash. Since it is an emergency-use-only gas (that you NEVER factor into your gas management planning!), you are correct that a 30" SPG hose (clipped to a left front D-ring) would make it easily available to monitor and the "button" gauge should suffice. SOLID RECOMMENDATION, Lyle!
I did a few dives with a side slung. Just disliked the dynamics. I also do photography, so it got in the way. I currently have my shark to my left of my main tank. The second stage comes around over my right shoulder and is tethered to a necklace around my neck. Just like the octopus would - which I have jettisoned (did you see what I did there?). With weights on either side, I found myself slightly lopsided. Next dive I'll have no weights on my left. I'll keep the regular waistband right weight and switch the left weight to my right bcd trim pocket (on my back). Theoretically I should be balanced. Let's see.
Arlight, good news. I had no weights on my left (where the spare bottle is). I dive with 6 pounds (3+3). I kept my regular 3 in my right waistband weight pocket and shifted the left weight to my right side BCD trim pocket. It was perfect. Completely balanced. I was a little apprehensive about two things. First, would shifting my pony-side weight be enough to balance me? Yes. Second, would I need less weight now that I've added more weight to my scuba system? Also yes, I found myself inflating my BCD just a miniscule more than usual. A squirt more, nothing material. I won't fine-tune anymore because summer is just round the corner. I'm currently diving in a 3mm suit, a hoodie, and boots that go over my ankles. In a few weeks I'll be back to a skin suit, no hoodie, and short/thin summer booties. I imagine then I may need to use 4 or 5 pounds. Lets see. The point is, shift weight to balance yourself with the pony.
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Really enjoying this series on self reliance diving and especially this clamp as compared to the XS
Scuba one. Even if I never dive alone, I see the self reliant course and setup in my future, especially when the pony is essentially out of the way but always there. Thank you for sharing these videos
I ordered one last week after watching your review video. I am starting to dive deeper spear fishing in the gulf and felt like I needed to add an additional air source. Thanks for the review and video of your setup. I plan on using mine this weekend and start practicing with it for my deeper dives.
Good info on the pony and mounting system. Solo diving definitely in my future. Also nice to see you show it on a dive too. St. Croix looks amazing btw - that water - my, oh, my!
The water conditions were amazing on St. Croix! You should check it out for yourself sometime!
@@everythingscuba definitely a place I plan to dive! Looks beautiful.
Thanks for featuring such a great product. The #1 thing that bothers me when using my current pony mount is that the tanks hit each other slightly when walking into the water. Ding. Ding. Ding. OMG! I'm going to switch it out with a Shark Mount tomorrow.
I don’t think you’ll regret it!
Thank you for your great review. I will add it to my rig!
I have 2 of them and I use 1 on every dive, I put a weight pocket on the strap, of which it is on the other side of the main tank, i had to go to the dive shops with the strap and find the right one. ( 6 pds of weights ) . the way i have it i can release the strap and the pocket is mounted full time. I practed a few times and readjusted things several times. so on a tank switch out i take the pony off first and put it on last.
Thanks for another great video.
Our pleasure!
Just received my Shark Pony Mount Bracket today!!!! I ordered it on Monday and it arrived today (Friday) via FEDEX ground. CAN'T WAIT to dive it instead of traditionally slinging my independent gas source (IGS) for only emergency-use. I might employ the 30" SPG hose, as well, for Self-Reliant/Solo diving or any dive beyond 100 feet to assure I have redundancy (even though there would usually be a dive buddy) since MORE GAS is GOOD just in case your buddy's surname is "Murphy"!!! P.S. I've dived the World these past 45 years but haven't dived STX since February 1977. I NEED to get back there in the next few months!!!
nice info thanks for the great video
Thanks for watching!
Why is yours mounted on the left when you regulators come round to the right? Is there any preference from putting on the left than the right?
Hi Lyle. incidentally you and I did our first dives with the shark system on the same day.
Our cosmic stars aligned with Poseidon's blessing.
That is awesome! How did you like it?
@@everythingscuba will respond in Steve Michel's comment below.
I just want to mention an alternate hose routing. Lyell is fortunate to have a second stage that converts from right to left side flow. I picked up a heavily discounted Apeks XL4+ 1st and 2nd stage. I would've liked to purchase something else but it was heavily discounted. And it is a over-right-shoulder hose setup. Which is preferable to me actually. Because it replaces my primary tank octopus. So I route the Apeks from the pony bottle over my right shoulder and onto my neck with a necklace. Because the Apeks is light/compact, I don't feel it.
And its right there where I need it - tank on.
This is an alternate way to route your pony bottle second stage without needing to convert to left-side routing or purchase a convertible second stage.
Thanks for the topic, Lyell. We've been able to have good dialogue on here.
Thanks for your input on this! Great idea for divers who maybe can't switch the input of the gas hose on the 2nd stages! Appreciate you thoughts!
What length of regulator hose do you use for your pony? I'm trying to mirror your setup :)
It’s a regular 32 inch hose. Recommend the flexible hose variety tho.
Like having a twin setup
Why does it have to be on the left side? With my regulator hose it seems better on the right side
👍
Since you have the pony bottle as a redundant system, do you need the octopus? I was thinking since you are solo diving you don’t need a safe second so could you use your safe second for your regulator on the pony. I know you would have to switch it back when You dive with a buddy, but I thought it would work. Your thoughts?
You are correct. You could remove the octopus as a solo diver but for ease of not having to remove and replace it I generally leave it attached. Thanks for your question and thanks for watching!
@@everythingscuba thanks for the quick reply. I’m enjoying your channel
hi Lyle i ask the same question in another vid so i have my answer. So i went to the dive shop, i ask them to remove my octo and put it on my 30 CF, they said no no you could not do that. You need to keep your reg and octo on your bcd plus having a reg on your 30 CF. They said i could have problem with my reg and still need my octo. Well if have a problem with my primary most likely it will come for from the first stage, so i will use the octo on my 30 cf anyway and stop the dive. They said no agency or instructors will do that.anyway i walk away cause the didn't won't to reconfigure my setup
Hi, what's the model of that reversible secondary dive rite reg you have for the pony bottle? Thanks
The second stage is the Dive Rite XT2 which is reversible.
Thank you
Where can we get that tiny SPG
Check with your local dive shop. Or Dive Rite makes an nice button SPG.....just google it. Thanks for watching!
@@everythingscuba While diving deep WW-II wrecks at Truk Lagoon (Chuuk, F.S.M.) in 2013, I mounted a 30 cuft pony with a "button SPG" mounted directly to the pony's HP port on its 1st stage. The pony (for emergency use only!!!) was mounted directly on on my back-mounted AL-100. While navigating through one wreck (HEIAN MARU), I somehow banged the fixed "button SPG" against an unforgiving steel hatch and the collision cracked the tempered glass faceplate! I was lucky that the gass did not freeflow! I swapped it out for a 2-1/2" SPG on a 6" hose between dives and the button gauge went in the trash. Since it is an emergency-use-only gas (that you NEVER factor into your gas management planning!), you are correct that a 30" SPG hose (clipped to a left front D-ring) would make it easily available to monitor and the "button" gauge should suffice. SOLID RECOMMENDATION, Lyle!
Think I'm done with side slung. This looks awsome.
There definitely a place for side sling cylinders too but this setup is very easy to dive and you pretty much forget that pony is even there.
I did a few dives with a side slung.
Just disliked the dynamics.
I also do photography, so it got in the way.
I currently have my shark to my left of my main tank. The second stage comes around over my right shoulder and is tethered to a necklace around my neck. Just like the octopus would - which I have jettisoned (did you see what I did there?).
With weights on either side, I found myself slightly lopsided.
Next dive I'll have no weights on my left. I'll keep the regular waistband right weight and switch the left weight to my right bcd trim pocket (on my back).
Theoretically I should be balanced.
Let's see.
Arlight, good news. I had no weights on my left (where the spare bottle is). I dive with 6 pounds (3+3). I kept my regular 3 in my right waistband weight pocket and shifted the left weight to my right side BCD trim pocket. It was perfect. Completely balanced. I was a little apprehensive about two things. First, would shifting my pony-side weight be enough to balance me? Yes. Second, would I need less weight now that I've added more weight to my scuba system? Also yes, I found myself inflating my BCD just a miniscule more than usual. A squirt more, nothing material. I won't fine-tune anymore because summer is just round the corner. I'm currently diving in a 3mm suit, a hoodie, and boots that go over my ankles. In a few weeks I'll be back to a skin suit, no hoodie, and short/thin summer booties. I imagine then I may need to use 4 or 5 pounds. Lets see.
The point is, shift weight to balance yourself with the pony.
just bought one it came with out the clamps. however the company responded to my email promptly and is shipping the claps asap 5/2/2024
SPG = Submersible Pressure Gage.