Q & A and Help with Buying/Config'ing/Rigging and the Benefits of a Pony Set-up?

[Ben Harris]

Any suggested setups for Ponys. Dont really want to spend more than £200. Wheres good to buy from and what combinations of gear do you lot reckon work the best - Is it better to get one with a longer hose??

[Driftwood]

Go-Dive are still doing their pony deal....

*Top Buy- Mares Pony Set up
ALL this for ONLY £159     Save over £100
Mares Pony Package comprising 3ltr Faber Steel cylinder & valve
Mares MR12/Axis balanced diaphragm regulator, Canvas pony pouch & straps

I've seen the cylinders for £65 new. Or you could get a set off EBay but it's a case of do you want to bet your life on it?

[Ben Harris]

The straps, are they metal or the other type?? Which is generally better / safer??

[Gavin Yates]

The straps are a bag (worth about £15) They work ok - I use it.

If you wanted to hard mount it you could but using the bag allows you to pop it on the back or with a bit of rigging side slinging.

[Ben Harris]

What are the pros and cons of bag vs hard mounting???
Is it better for bouyancy to back mount rather than side mount?

[Lou]

That is a bag and straps, so it'll be canvas, Ben.

I am in the same situation of starting to look around for a pony.  My solution was to upgrade my main regs and save my Oceanic Aplha 7 to go on a pony (swapping the pressure gauge so that all i have is 1 spare occy, which can always come in handy).  I am then going to get a pony bottle for abou £70-80 as Drift says, and either buy, or make up, a kit to side sling it.  Cheaper and more versatile (hardboat, rib, shore, hired tanks etc) than tank bands from what I can see.  All very well buying a ss pony clamp, but what do you do when you have to hire a second tank coz the boat isn't going back in between dives, or when you go on holiday, and don't want to spend all that time swapping the jubilee clip from tank to tank.

Plus I would start struggling lifting my BC, tank, pony and integrated weights onto my back in one go!

[andy2tanx]

I got some buddy pony cam bands which work great for rigging the pony on.  all you do is replace the cam band on your stabby with one.

check out http://www.apvalves.com/Prdtsfrmset.html

[Dominic]

Using a back-mount in a bag means you have to be careful about positioning to avoid it wobbling - I'd advise buddy bands or the steel clamps if you intend to back mount.
You may find http://www.oneandoneis2.demon.co.uk/DiveWeb/Pony.htm worth a visit
(Probably ought to add the different ways of securing to the cylinder... oh well, when I have some time...)

[Tim Ingmire]

Having just bought one of the Go-Dive pony set-up and having found that the straps don't fit around my monster 15L cylinder I'm looking for a good cheap second-hand SS clamp.

I've seen peeps with the pony and the bag setup but to be honest it doesn't look too secure.

As for ordering the package from the shop - it all went very smoothly and it all arrived 2 days after ordering with the pony already filled - Nice one!  Delivery was £10 and I also bought a suunto pressure gauge for £20.  And, with the Mares Regs not a bad deal at all.

Once I get a clamp sorted I'll can actually rigg the thing up and try it out.

[Ben Harris]

Cheers, something to think about..............