On Wednesday, July 02, 2003 11:51 AM, Robert Delfs wrote:

(snip)
>   There is no problem with the stainless backplate.  If you get an
> aluminum plate, consider dumping the stainless steel fasteners ( or
> send them to me! ) and using plastic ties, or else make a practice of
> removing the backpack and fasteners and storing them disassembled.

G'Day, Mate!  I'm going for the stainless steel backplate.  (My present
one's also stainless - a locally made one with the pouch secured by plastic
zip ties.  I must admit that it doesn't look as 'neat' as the Halcyon
fasteners - but it's functional!)  :-)

> (3)  Pick up a bicycle inner tube and cut some additional rings of
> rubber and thread them over the harness before assembling.  The edges
> of the plate eventually will cut into the harness at shoulder and hip
> even if the plate is deburred, but this can be completely prevented by
> covering the webbing with a 2" ring of inner tube where it passes
> through the slots.

A good tip.  Having - just before the Fiji trip - replaced the webbing
because of wear and then spent hours fine-tuning it for position, fit and
comfort, it's not a task that I relish doing too often! :-)

> (4)  I don't think you'll want to keep your folding snorkel in the
> backpack, but you could slip it into some bungie-cord loops tied
> through the extra holes at the bottom of the plate.

Rather than being a folding type, the snorkel's telescopic and presently
sits very comfortably in the pouch and - because the bottom opening of the
existing pouch appears to be higher up the plate than the Halcyon model - is
presently easy to reach.  I'll have to play with that and see what works
best 'cause there's no way that I'm plopping my body into the ocean without
one - if I can help it! :-)

> Better yet, consider picking up a Halycon pocket (or equivalent) and
> keeping you're folding snorkel there.  There's also room for a spare
> mask, reel, mag glass, and almost anything else.  (I've found a
> no-brand square pocket made in Hong Kong that has a smaller size and
> profile that I prefer to the Halycon pocket, but it isn't very
> well-made and has to be frequently replaced.

It'll probably fit into the bellows pocket on the wetsuit, but - as I
noticed when warm water diving with a lycra suit - a pocket'll be extremely
handy.  And leave more room in the pouch for cheese sandwiches!  :-))

Robert!  Many thanks for the tips.  They're appreciated.

Strike