Scubapro Harness

[michmoor]

Hello All,

I am looking for a new weight harness, have looked at the Scubapro one which looks quite good. However have seen a couple of reviews where people have complained about the weight pockets dropping out during dives, not good!

Has anyone got this harness in which case can you tell me what you think.

Thanks in advance.

[ChristianG]

I am looking for a new weight harness, have looked at the Scubapro one which looks quite good. However have seen a couple of reviews where people have complained about the weight pockets dropping out during dives, not good!
A good friend of mine, I have a great deal of respect for his expertise, bought the Ralf Tech (Sp?) one maybe three years ago and thinks it works very well.

If you're interested, PM me and I'll give you his address.

[Mark]

I've not got the Scubapro harness, or even seen it, however, any review that said the weights escaped on a dive would for me mean that I would not consider getting one.

I do have a Ralf Tech harness. I think it's quite good. No chance of the weights escaping.


:)

[Titanic]

I recently managed to find a second-hand Bowstone one on eBay.
Only limited use so far but very pleased with it. There seemed to be lots of recommendations around for this type.

Each weight pocket is held by two velcro straps and a popper.
The poppers on mine are rusted beyond use (could be replaced) but it seems unnecessary based on the security of velcro. I'd be worried weights might be difficult to dump with the poppers in use as well!

[hilrosepaul]

FWIW I just bought a Bowstone Quick Release Harness, based on recommendations her and elsewhere.

Lovely piece of kit (and with a popper and 2 velcro straps for each pouch, seemingly secure as well). The pouches only come away with a outward and upward motion which rips both sets of velcro open.

I picked it up in person from them; which made it a little cheaper on the day, but I wouldn't mind paying full price (around £80 - roughly the same as the Scubapro?).

Their customer service is excellent as well; which is another big plus in my book

[michmoor]

Thanks for the above, seems there are plenty of alternatives and I know a friend with a Ralph Tech who seems happy with his.

Considering the costs I would be better to look at the alternatives.

[Mark]

Thanks for the above, seems there are plenty of alternatives and I know a friend with a Ralph Tech who seems happy with his.

Considering the costs I would be better to look at the alternatives.


I'd avoid the Beaver one though.

My wife has one, got it because it was cheap. And cheap it definatly is...

I had to "repair it" before it could be used. Pulling the loop of cord the remove the weight pouches resulted in the loop breaking with the pouch remaining in place.

Not to be recomended. :(

[Dr. Strangelove]

I have a Bowstone Quick Release Harness, and I love it. The only "problem" I have with it is that you almost have to be a weightlifter to actually dump the lead (or I'm doing something wrong), there is a lot of velcro that needs to be separated to get the pouches out. Guess with some more use it will get easier to get out ;)

-Jacob

[Maria CM]

I've got the DUI one which is great though a bit of a pain to rethread if you want to take the weights off it before getting back on a boat. If you can get on/out with them in it is really good though and very comfy

best wishes,

Maria

[NickBCotswold]

I've got the DUI one which is great though a bit of a pain to rethread if you want to take the weights off it before getting back on a boat. If you can get on/out with them in it is really good though and very comfy

best wishes,

Maria


I've got the DUI one too! really comfy to wear and great for quarry's, shore dives and large boats with ladders - just back from west wales where I wore them for rib diving.......ok, had to take them out when surfacing and hand to guy on the boat to be able to haul myself back in the rib - and as Maria says, kind of fiddly to re-thread - but now got re-threading down to a fine art and a "best time" of 8 minutes!!! with over an hour service interval, plenty of time and then following the last dive of the day didnt bother till the next morning!

[Jonk]

I got me one of those Scuba pro harnesses for a recent dive trip to the Scilies. It was brand new and on dive 3 they weight pockets started to slip out of the harness, no matter how tightly i restrained them they kept falling out leaving me dangling my 12kg through out the dive, mighty annoyin i can tell you.

I atacked it with gaffer tape and that solved the short term problem, but after 13 dives then eventually gave up and the stitching on the weight pockets had frayed and given up.

Personally, not recommended!

My bro has the Northern diver one and that has lasted for years as for me, back to the good old fashioned shot belt.

Jon

[Woz]

Bowstone. It's the piece of diving kit you would have to prise out of my cold dead fingers if you wanted it.

You can even add or remove lead without removing the pockets- just open the flaps and away you go. Brilliant design.

Avoid the ones with wires on to release. Cos you have to rethread them after dumping which is a complete PITA if you are RIB diving.

[Abcdavidson]

Just my tuppence, but, I've been using the new Scubapro harness for a few months now and I've not had any problems. Infact I've found the weight clips very handy to work with, and they haven't fallen out.

Adam

[Abcdavidson]

Just my tuppence, but, I've been using the new Scubapro harness for a few months now and I've not had any problems. Infact I've found the weight clips very handy to work with, and they haven't fallen out.

Adam

Update - A month later and the harness is in bad, bad shape, a lot of the stitching is coming away and it's headed straight back to the dive shop :(

[Ron Evans]

My Northern Diver harness is reaching the end of its natural life, after about four years moderate use. Works well, and relatively easy to get weight pouches out if needed, no slippings out (yet).

[Michael Purcell]

Speaking of p-d off I noticed my bullet proof :rolleyes: Halcyon Eclipse after only being about a year and a half old and 80 or so dives the entire bottom has frayed and is about to come apart.

I can only assume this is from the tank sitting on it when I am sitting on the edge of the boat. I enjoy the wing but there have been a lot of people suffering from undue fraying...but really this seems like normal wear and TEAR... :)

[PeteM]

Speaking of p-d off I noticed my bullet proof :rolleyes: Halcyon Eclipse after only being about a year and a half old and 80 or so dives the entire bottom has frayed and is about to come apart.

I can only assume this is from the tank sitting on it when I am sitting on the edge of the boat. I enjoy the wing but there have been a lot of people suffering from undue fraying...but really this seems like normal wear and TEAR... :)

A mouse got my wifes:eek: , fortunately missed the wing:D

Don't care though as it is only a couple of quid for new webbing, which for a Halcyon harness is not going to be any different. TBH the webbing is so cheap it does not matter to me if it only lasts a year or two, however myself build started looking frayed after a year, four years later it has not changed so it may not be anything to worry about apart for cosmetically

[Michael Purcell]

A mouse got my wifes:eek: , fortunately missed the wing:D

Don't care though as it is only a couple of quid for new webbing, which for a Halcyon harness is not going to be any different. TBH the webbing is so cheap it does not matter to me if it only lasts a year or two, however myself build started looking frayed after a year, four years later it has not changed so it may not be anything to worry about apart for cosmetically

I'm talking about the whole bottom of the wing. It is back in Abu Dhabi or I would take a pic.

This one you can't see the two drain holes or the bottom seam but it is the bottom seam that is completely frayed.

http://www.techduikshop.nl/shop/images/catalogus/wings/169.jpg