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Jeff Kell writes:
> On the subject of mounts, Rich asked about a close-fitting bracket, while
> someone else questioned the cost of the pony tamer and similar brackets.
> I had a bracket ordered through the shop (I think it was a DiveRite but I
> didn't keep track of details) which was relatively cheap (~$30), it was
> portable and required no mating brackets on the primary tanks, and it was
> relatively secure.
> 
> The mount is too simple.  It's a U-shaped loop of heavy guage wire which
> mounts to the pony with stainless steel hose clamps (open end of the "U"
> being at the bottom).  You bend the top away from the tank and the closed
> end of the "U" loops over the primary tank valve.  Four small 1/4" snips of
> surgical tubing are slid over the U just inside the clamp points of the
> hose clamps to keep the pony/primary from making direct contact.  Finally,
> a quick release clip on one side of the U, plus a loop of surgical tubing
> going through the mating quick release clip fits around the primary tank.
> The U-bracket bears the bulk of the weight, the tubing loop stabilizes the
> position of the pony.
> 
> I've had mine for three years.  The wire loop was plastic-coated and some of
> that has worn off at the valve loop, but otherwise it's fine.  If you don't
> have any clearance between your tanks and backplate, it might be impossible
> to fit the securing strap around a primary tank; and with a BC it's a bit of
> a bother feeding the strap between a double-banded strap design.  The only
> major drawback is that it isn't detachable (without removing the primary
> regulator, so more or less forget that).

This is called the "Scuba Duba" pony bracket. I got one at Divers Supply. Its
made by a company in Miami. I think the company name is actually Scuba
Duba. Divers Supply rarely has them in stock, but they can probably order one
for you. It is a great piece of equipment, but not being able to dismount it
without removing the first stage always annoyed me.

> The classic pony tamer requires mounts on the primaries, which is either
> costly if you have multiple tanks, or prohibitive for those dive vacations
> when you're using rental tanks.  There is some new gizmo that has a cam band
> like strap that replaces the hose clamps for the primary and looks promising,
> but as I recall it's around $90 (can't see paying that much for what you get)

The is called "The Ultimate Pony Bracket" or something like that. It is
expensive at list, but if you're a hard-ass bargain-er you can pick it up for
$65. I just upgraded to this from the Scuba-Duba because, as you mentioned,
you cannot take the pony off without taking the first stage off with the Scuba
Duba.

> Of course if Rich carries five ponies like he said, this won't work for
> him :-)
> 
> Jeff Kell <jeff-kell@ut*.ed*>
> --
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-- 
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| jjackson@se*.sb*.co*                                                  |
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| If I had a nickname, I think I would want it to be "Prince of Weasels",   |
| because then I could go up and bite people and they would turn around and |
| go, "What the-?" And then they would recognize me, and go, "Oh, it's you, |
| the Prince of Weasels." --Jack Handey                                     |
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