Optima -- what kind of harness/BP/wings?

diveladydive · 15th March 2007, 13:28

I trained using my aluminum backplate with webbing, but purchased the new version of the transpac for the unit itself. I'll be diving it this weekend (the FX). The older transpac wasn't built well for my size- I couldn't tighten it down enough, plus some other details I didn't like. The new transpac addresses what I considered design problems, & am pretty sure I'll be happy with it- especially since I can now go from wet to dry without switching out backplates, which I had to do before. I use a rec wing bungeed back with a sidemount harness as well.

diverreb · 27th March 2007, 16:19

Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaNerd)

I will soon get an Optima, and I need to decide what harness/BP/wing to use. For OC, I'm using a continuous webbing, with either a SS or plastic BP, and a single or double tank wing (all from Deep Sea Supplies). I like this setup quite a lot.

I was told that the majority of Optima divers use a Transpac. I looked at the Transpac, and it seems very convoluted to me. Too much useless padding, quick-releases, chest-strap, and what-not. However, I have never tried it, so my first impression might be wrong. Also, there is a butt-plate for the transpac for sidemount, which seems to be a nice option to carry bailout.

What are the Optima divers on this board using?

Related question here... Close to a decision on buying the Optima... Currently not using a crotch strap on my OC rig. Was told that one is necessary to hold the CL's down. Anyone using an alternate method of securing the CL's?

Thanks...
Richie

diverklondike · 27th March 2007, 16:24

Quote: (Originally Posted by diverreb)

Related question here... Close to a decision on buying the Optima... Currently not using a crotch strap on my OC rig. Was told that one is necessary to hold the CL's down. Anyone using an alternate method of securing the CL's?

Thanks...
Richie

Sure.... Just use the waste band...

Mark

wreckdiv · 31st March 2007, 03:50

As Mark said, I use the waist strap (like most).

But I have heard that Tom Mount has a nice set up on his unit. The bottom of the 2 CLs are attached together and then there is a single loop that hold them to the waist strap. I haven't seen it personally but folks say he can flip the whole CL assembly up towards the back of the unit, get into just the Transpac with ease, then flip the Cls back down over his head in a very fluid set of motions. It sounds really boat friendly to me!!

It would be interesting to see pictures...
K

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 31st March 2007, 04:58

Standard Optima set allows the user to put a single strap through the crotch strap where it meets the waist strap. You can also get third party clips that connect to the waist strap. There are many ways you can configure the unit much like other OTS counterlung sets.

n2diving · 31st March 2007, 10:01

Quote: (Originally Posted by wreckdiv)

flip the whole CL assembly up towards the back of the unit, get into just the Transpac with ease, then flip the Cls back down over his head in a very fluid set of motions. It sounds really boat friendly to me!!

There is nothing really special required to do this trick and any O2ptima can do it. All that is required is to not thread the CL's on to the harness shoulder straps, leave the velcro loop on the underside of each CL empty. Allow it to be held in place by the clip at the top. Then you can don as described with ease, and clip the v-strap (or whatever system you are using to hold them down). I think Jordan was the first to discover this, he told me about it, and then I went diving with Tom... now we all do it....

The Cl just 'floats', only secured by the top straps and the v-strap... I think it actually works better. I'm not sure how well it work for a small person, my sister doesn't do this.

-- Mark

**JPJones** · 31st March 2007, 15:47

I have always just uncliped the transplate sholder straps and fliped the entire thing up drop over my head connect two straps and go diving. The O2ptima can be configured alot of ways so find what works best for you.

Helium_diver · 31st March 2007, 16:03

Quote: (Originally Posted by diverreb)

Related question here... Close to a decision on buying the Optima... Currently not using a crotch strap on my OC rig. Was told that one is necessary to hold the CL's down. Anyone using an alternate method of securing the CL's?

Thanks...
Richie

Hi Ritchie ,

Nice to see you here. You where certainly eyeing that optima at BTS. You Know you want it. But if you want a real rebreather just see Ted and buy yourself a KISS classic

. See you in Fl in a couple of weeks.

Helium_diver

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 2nd April 2007, 01:18

Quote: (Originally Posted by n2diving)

All that is required is to not thread the CL's on to the harness shoulder straps, leave the velcro loop on the underside of each CL empty.

Oh, I sorta just assumed that pretty much everyone does it this way.

diverreb · 5th April 2007, 19:05

Quote: (Originally Posted by Helium_diver)

Hi Ritchie ,

Nice to see you here. You where certainly eyeing that optima at BTS. You Know you want it. But if you want a real rebreather just see Ted and buy yourself a KISS classic

. See you in Fl in a couple of weeks.

Helium_diver

Too late.... Ordered the Optima yesterday. :-) Won't be diving it until June though. 6/7 class. :-(

Richie

15th March 2007, 13:28	#21 (permalink)
diveladydive New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Pelagian Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Optima Titan Pelagian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southeastern Florida Posts: 50	Re: Optima -- what kind of harness/BP/wings? I trained using my aluminum backplate with webbing, but purchased the new version of the transpac for the unit itself. I'll be diving it this weekend (the FX). The older transpac wasn't built well for my size- I couldn't tighten it down enough, plus some other details I didn't like. The new transpac addresses what I considered design problems, & am pretty sure I'll be happy with it- especially since I can now go from wet to dry without switching out backplates, which I had to do before. I use a rec wing bungeed back with a sidemount harness as well. __________________ *Complacency: Self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by ignorance of actual dangers or deficiencies.* *Success: A journey in which the improbable becomes possible, leading to surprising levels of achievement.* *Dr. Peri M. Blum* *Instructor, IANTD* *Member, Board of Advisors, IANTD* *www.supremedivers.com* *561-901-9715* The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and the author’s alone.
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27th March 2007, 16:19	#22 (permalink)
diverreb DE/MD/NJ Wreck Diver Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 598	Re: Optima -- what kind of harness/BP/wings? Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaNerd) I will soon get an Optima, and I need to decide what harness/BP/wing to use. For OC, I'm using a continuous webbing, with either a SS or plastic BP, and a single or double tank wing (all from Deep Sea Supplies). I like this setup quite a lot. I was told that the majority of Optima divers use a Transpac. I looked at the Transpac, and it seems very convoluted to me. Too much useless padding, quick-releases, chest-strap, and what-not. However, I have never tried it, so my first impression might be wrong. Also, there is a butt-plate for the transpac for sidemount, which seems to be a nice option to carry bailout. What are the Optima divers on this board using? Related question here... Close to a decision on buying the Optima... Currently not using a crotch strap on my OC rig. Was told that one is necessary to hold the CL's down. Anyone using an alternate method of securing the CL's? Thanks... Richie
(Online)

27th March 2007, 16:24	#23 (permalink)
diverklondike Just one of the Peasants Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Delaware, USA Posts: 1,613	Re: Optima -- what kind of harness/BP/wings? Quote: (Originally Posted by diverreb) Related question here... Close to a decision on buying the Optima... Currently not using a crotch strap on my OC rig. Was told that one is necessary to hold the CL's down. Anyone using an alternate method of securing the CL's? Thanks... Richie Sure.... Just use the waste band... Mark
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31st March 2007, 03:50	#24 (permalink)
wreckdiv New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Annapolis MD USA Posts: 30	Re: Optima -- what kind of harness/BP/wings? As Mark said, I use the waist strap (like most). But I have heard that Tom Mount has a nice set up on his unit. The bottom of the 2 CLs are attached together and then there is a single loop that hold them to the waist strap. I haven't seen it personally but folks say he can flip the whole CL assembly up towards the back of the unit, get into just the Transpac with ease, then flip the Cls back down over his head in a very fluid set of motions. It sounds really boat friendly to me!! It would be interesting to see pictures... K
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31st March 2007, 04:58	#25 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,132	Re: Optima -- what kind of harness/BP/wings? Standard Optima set allows the user to put a single strap through the crotch strap where it meets the waist strap. You can also get third party clips that connect to the waist strap. There are many ways you can configure the unit much like other OTS counterlung sets. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Online)

31st March 2007, 10:01	#26 (permalink)
n2diving Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 272	Re: Optima -- what kind of harness/BP/wings? Quote: (Originally Posted by wreckdiv) flip the whole CL assembly up towards the back of the unit, get into just the Transpac with ease, then flip the Cls back down over his head in a very fluid set of motions. It sounds really boat friendly to me!! There is nothing really special required to do this trick and any O2ptima can do it. All that is required is to not thread the CL's on to the harness shoulder straps, leave the velcro loop on the underside of each CL empty. Allow it to be held in place by the clip at the top. Then you can don as described with ease, and clip the v-strap (or whatever system you are using to hold them down). I think Jordan was the first to discover this, he told me about it, and then I went diving with Tom... now we all do it.... The Cl just 'floats', only secured by the top straps and the v-strap... I think it actually works better. I'm not sure how well it work for a small person, my sister doesn't do this. -- Mark
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31st March 2007, 15:47	#27 (permalink)
JPJones O2ptima Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Optima Titan Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 367	Re: Optima -- what kind of harness/BP/wings? I have always just uncliped the transplate sholder straps and fliped the entire thing up drop over my head connect two straps and go diving. The O2ptima can be configured alot of ways so find what works best for you. __________________ NSS/CDS Training Chairman www.jpjscuba.com
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31st March 2007, 16:03	#28 (permalink)
Helium_diver Has anyone seen my Gerbil Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Baltimore MD USA Posts: 150	Re: Optima -- what kind of harness/BP/wings? Quote: (Originally Posted by diverreb) Related question here... Close to a decision on buying the Optima... Currently not using a crotch strap on my OC rig. Was told that one is necessary to hold the CL's down. Anyone using an alternate method of securing the CL's? Thanks... Richie Hi Ritchie , Nice to see you here. You where certainly eyeing that optima at BTS. You Know you want it. But if you want a real rebreather just see Ted and buy yourself a KISS classic . See you in Fl in a couple of weeks. Helium_diver __________________ "If I look unconscious I probably am " Bill Hartman
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2nd April 2007, 01:18	#29 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,132	Re: Optima -- what kind of harness/BP/wings? Quote: (Originally Posted by n2diving) All that is required is to not thread the CL's on to the harness shoulder straps, leave the velcro loop on the underside of each CL empty. Oh, I sorta just assumed that pretty much everyone does it this way. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
(Online)

5th April 2007, 19:05	#30 (permalink)
diverreb DE/MD/NJ Wreck Diver Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 598	Re: Optima -- what kind of harness/BP/wings? Quote: (Originally Posted by Helium_diver) Hi Ritchie , Nice to see you here. You where certainly eyeing that optima at BTS. You Know you want it. But if you want a real rebreather just see Ted and buy yourself a KISS classic . See you in Fl in a couple of weeks. Helium_diver Too late.... Ordered the Optima yesterday. :-) Won't be diving it until June though. 6/7 class. :-( Richie
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