Pony... ride it front, side or back?

[Turtle Dude]

I am happy to do most of my diving (usual club recreational stuff 20-35m, minimal deco) on 300bar twinset-7s (with manifold); however, for the occasional deeper dive am considering taking a 5L pony/bailout cylinder as well.

My (old) Zeagle Ranger wing has enough D-rings to side or front sling (horizontally across) or it could be mounted easily and snugly between the two 7s.

Any comments/views/recommendations?

[tony J]

I am happy to do most of my diving (usual club recreational stuff 20-35m, minimal deco) on 300bar twinset-7s (with manifold); however, for the occasional deeper dive am considering taking a 5L pony/bailout cylinder as well.

My (old) Zeagle Ranger wing has enough D-rings to side or front sling (horizontally across) or it could be mounted easily and snugly between the two 7s.

Any comments/views/recommendations?
Do you mean a bottom gas baliout for a twin set ?

Tony

[Turtle Dude]

Do you mean a bottom gas baliout for a twin set ?

Yes. Not for deco, just for "OMG :confused: did not get to the cylinder knobs quick enough..."

[PeteM]

I am happy to do most of my diving (usual club recreational stuff 20-35m, minimal deco) on 300bar twinset-7s (with manifold); however, for the occasional deeper dive am considering taking a 5L pony/bailout cylinder as well.

My (old) Zeagle Ranger wing has enough D-rings to side or front sling (horizontally across) or it could be mounted easily and snugly between the two 7s.

Any comments/views/recommendations?

Front sling gives a huge drag in any sort of current. Between the cylinders would stick out a lot and move the CoG backwards. I would side sling

[builder_russ]

I've tried all of the above with my Pony and in my opinion side slung works better for me.

- Mounted on the back, i felt the weight of the pony kept rotating me in the water, which i found extremely annoying. Secondly as bail out cylinder you air should allways be switched on. When mounted at the rear if a free flow situation were to arise turning of the piller vlave i found difficult much harder than on my twin set.

- Front slug, gave excellent balance and avoided the feeling of being rotaed in the water, however did hinder vital equipment such as dry suit inflation, gauges and shoulder dump at the front. In the event of a free flow you allways have the option of accending bleeding the piller valve open required.

Side slung felt the better of the two front options, having all the benefits of the front slung without the downfall of hindering my equipment. For some reason i dont feel rotational movment as i did when the cylinder was mounterd on my back.

I too have a 3ltr & 5Ltr pony which i rarley use, due to twin 12's. I would suggest you too try all three, by borowing pony clamps first rather than buying one - In my opinion only.

Hope this helps - dive safe

Russ

[mkhari]

I was diving with someone who had a front slung pony and they were navigating. After going around in circles for 20 minutes, we figured out thea if you are slinging a steel pony across your front, you had better have long arms for the compass...:D

If you have twins it will be tough to back mount the pony, I have tried with my twin 10s, putting the pony in the middle, and it did work, it just made everything else, pre and post diving, a faff and I had to move all my weight to the front.

If you sidesling a three, you can just move a kilo and a half of weight to the other side, that works for me.

Still, I'm no expert, I'm sure others will have good advice.

[AndyXB]

Personally, I used to front sling my 7L stage but have it quite low down so it did not obstruct anything else, (suit inflate, etc) and I used to find it very comfortable no matter what my attitude in the water was.

I always found that that if I side slung it I was always off balance and I found this more annoying than front mounting it. Obviously if I ever dive and need two stages then side mounting them is obviously the way to go.

Like I said this is my own personal preference and if I were you I would try it both ways to see which you find most comfortable / convenient / accessible.

Andy

[ChristianG]

I gather then that all you lot with CoG difficulties are using steel ponies? Because it simply doesn't happen with ali ponies?

[Nigel Hewitt]

I gather then that all you lot with CoG difficulties are using steel ponies? Because it simply doesn't happen with ali ponies?It's about a kilo negative in the water.

I find it trivial and mine is mounted on the yellow box so it is far further off the centreline than one strapped to a tank.

[IainC]

I find it trivial and mine is mounted on the yellow box so it is far further off the centreline than one strapped to a tank.

got to agree here - I'm wonder if a some balance problems with ponies are at least partly in the mind - i.e .those who are told it will be a problem find it a problem? Or those who are not entirely comfortable with the extra bulk and weight blame it when in fact it is the overall clutter that is a problem and it would be a problem anywhere you put it..

I have used a steel pony many times (rigged up for a dive tonight in fact) with no noticeable balance issues.

Even a 7L Steel stage sideslung (which is more off-centre) don't seem to have much effect?

or maybe I am just fat and don't notice little imbalances :D

Iain.