What length HP hose?

[NorthWoodsDiver]

I have started sidemount diving ( I guess I consider it mission specific) for both wreck and cave and other penetration use but have only done a handful of dives utilizing the SPG's and hoses I already have (24" I think). I want to get new spgs on shorter hoses just for sidemount and am trying to decide what I might like most in an effort to not buy a bunch of hoses for testing things out.

9" or 6"

[cavediver256]

Which way are you routing your SPGs ??? Down along the tank, or up ??

[jimdiverman]

Which way are you routing your SPGs ??? Down along the tank, or up ??

I am using the smaller DR SPG with the 6" hose pointing straight out of the top of the first stage from the tank.

But I am considering laying my SPGs flat against the tank. When I am in tight passages with loose bottom (in caves), the SPG has a tendency to be the only thing that is dragging, and I need to use both hands to support the gauges off the bottom until I am in a taller passage and can get further away from the bottom.

Has anyone else experienced this?

[Mike Edmonston]

I am using the smaller DR SPG with the 6" hose pointing straight out of the top of the first stage from the tank.

But I am considering laying my SPGs flat against the tank. When I am in tight passages with loose bottom (in caves), the SPG has a tendency to be the only thing that is dragging, and I need to use both hands to support the gauges off the bottom until I am in a taller passage and can get further away from the bottom.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Yes,

It's the main reason that I now have the SPG's laying across my chest. They are straight off the regs with a 6" hose and lay flat right above my chest strap (nomad). Pressure in the hose keeps them high and tight.

Safe Diving

[cavediver256]

I am using the smaller DR SPG with the 6" hose pointing straight out of the top of the first stage from the tank.

But I am considering laying my SPGs flat against the tank. When I am in tight passages with loose bottom (in caves), the SPG has a tendency to be the only thing that is dragging, and I need to use both hands to support the gauges off the bottom until I am in a taller passage and can get further away from the bottom.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Absolutely, I canted the first stages but had the same effect when things got tight. They acted like small shovels, so I tried clipping the gauges up against the shoulder straps, but that left just way too much going on on that D ring. So I flipped the gauges to the bottom HP port. That put the gauges laying along the tanks just on the inside just below where the tanks rest along the chest wall. Now they don't dig into the mud/silt. Now I just grab the gauge put a slight bend in the HP hose for a quick glance down. The 6" hoses work great for me, but some prefer 9" hoses.

[jimdiverman]

Yes,

It's the main reason that I now have the SPG's laying across my chest. They are straight off the regs with a 6" hose and lay flat right above my chest strap (nomad). Pressure in the hose keeps them high and tight.

Safe Diving

You haven't hit 40 yet. You must still have good near sighted vision. This location is not too close to focus on?

What reg are you using? I am using DR2500s.

Thanks!

Dive safe!

[jimdiverman]

Absolutely, So I flipped the gauges to the bottom HP port. That put the gauges laying along the tanks just on the inside just below where the tanks rest along the chest wall. Now they don't dig into the mud/silt. Now I just grab the gauge put a slight bend in the HP hose for a quick glance down. The 6" hoses work great for me, but some prefer 9" hoses.

So the gauge is under your arm above the tank basically?

Thanks!

[rchrds]

Here is a pic of HP hose placement- it is a tad hard to see, as I have black boots over the crappy plastic HP gauges- you can see it laying against the side of the tank.

Jason

[chimie007]

6". I rotate the regs so the SPG are about 45' angle from the tank axis. When I wear the tanks, the SPGs lay near my shoulder D-rings. I have to reach and pull them out a little to be able to see them. Been working well. I had to play a little to find the best angle. At first, they were digging down.

I don't like the idea of having them laying on top of tanks since you have to reach back to see them which would be a real pain with stages on.

[jimdiverman]

Here is a pic of HP hose placement- it is a tad hard to see, as I have black boots over the crappy plastic HP gauges- you can see it laying against the side of the tank.

Jason

I see. You have the gauge flat against the tank on the outside away from your body.

Thanks.