OMS IQ Pack

[Darren27]

Well I'm looking for a new bc for the season.  I'm after something that will handle both 12+pony, and occasionally twin independent 12's.

I like the look of the IQ pack and was wondering what other users think of it. Do you have to use it with a backplate?  I want to be able to travel with it so dont want it to weigh too much.  I was thinking of going for the 45lb bungied single bladder wing.

I know that some people will advocate a simple backplate with a one piece harness, but I dont think it's right for me.  I teach a lot and like to have pockets to keep slates and things in.  I also want something that has releases similar enought to a regular BC so as to not confuse my students when teaching.

Any advive would be greatfully recieved

Darren

[MATTBIN]

Or a Buddy Tek Wing, accesory pockets on the belt. ABS Backplate for travelling, use S/S for the twin 12's though. Cheaper, bullet proof but isnt in black so not super cool.
Twin cam belts for running indies?

Just a thought.

Matt

[Dr Stevil]

I've got the IQ harness with Aluminium BP, I like it a lot. Does me for UK &  warm-water diving, twin 10s and a variety of singles when required. You get two cam bands as part of the package (well, DWH included them when I bought mine).
Plus, as you have indicated, for instructing purposes it's similar enough to a regular stab that the students won't encounter any problems.

It doesn't come with pockets as standard but I've got a detachable Bowstone pocket which I've modified to be like the IQ No Sag pockets (but at half the price). If you see piccies of one with five integral pockets, that's an old pic and that style was discontinued as the fixedness and  excess of pockets was unpopular.

I keep reading a lot about folk worrying that the plastic buckles will break, or accidentally become unclipped. After three years of diving this piece of kit regularly,  I'm still waiting to see the first bit of  evidence to support such concerns.

If there is a problem with the harness it woud be that as it is made of material (cordura), when it is dry it tends to shrink a little so I sometimes find it necessary to wet the harness before fitting it to my twinset in order that the holes in the harness and backplate align more readily.
HTH
Steve
PS if you're going to the Stoney gig you can have a play with my rig then

[Darren27]

Sadly even though I only live 20 min drive from Stoney I wont be there (as I'm off on my hols).

I take it that the pack will take both ss banded twins with wing nuts and cam bands for indy twins/singles?  How does the wing attatch to the harness?

[Dr Stevil]

Yes, my twins are SS banded; and even though I haven't tried them, I'm sure the soft cam bands for indy-twins will work fine. The bladder attaches to the harness either by eylet-ed holes for the bolts, (above and below the white "disclaimer" tag you can see in the pic ) or with cam bands ,through the four slots in the material inbetween the bladder
HTH
Steve

[Fiona]

<font color='#0000FF'>Darren

I have the IQ pack and have been really happy with it, it is the one with the pockets, some of the new ones don't have pockets. &nbsp;I am looking to switch mine for one without pockets. &nbsp;If you are going to get one with pockets you might like to consider purchasing mine. &nbsp;

What sort of build are you. &nbsp;Just a thought, it's in excellent condition.

Fiona

[nigel]

I,ve got the IQ pack on a oms wing with a ss back plate and it works well. The comfort pad stops any bolts sticking in your back but I do find storage space limited even with a no sag pocket.


nigel

[Tim Ingmire]

IQ pack with 45lb wing. &nbsp;Carries twin 12's just lovely and easily has enough bouyancy for when I tag on a stage.

Plastic clips can come undone but that should be easily rectified, if one breaks then thats no hardship at all, if your rig is setup correctly then it should present no problem at all - as we found out on the TDI Deco Proc course where we did a number of drills with a simulated broken harness.

I haven't dived with a single piece harness so can't compare the two.

[Darren27]

Thanks all.  Sounds like it may be just what I'm after.

I've not yet had a chance to see one in the flesh as it were.  Does anyone know of a shop other than DWH that stocks them.  I want to get to see one and try one on to get a good fit, DWH is a couple hours away from me, not a problem but if there is somewhere closer then thats better.  I'm located in Loughborough.

Fiona,  thanks for the offer.  I'm probable a large once I have my drysuit on, but 44-46 in just a T-shirt.  Once I have had a chance to check one out at a shop I could well be interested.

Cheers

Darren

[Tim Ingmire]

If you get yerself to Stoney for the gig I'm sure you will see a fair few and somebody may even let you try it out.