The moveable pockets were a prototype that never went into production. I don't remember Velcro pockets though, must have been a rare run of the BTR-500
#askmark Hello again Mark! Thanks for answering my question a few days ago! I recently bought my first reg set. Got the Apeks Ocea Stage 3 kit and added an SPG to it. Thanks for your in-depth videos on it that helped me decide! Here’s my question. The two secondaries are identical, right? If so, when diving, should I alternate between the two? As in, on the first dive, have the teal one in my mouth, then on the second dive, have the yellow one in my mouth. This way, they wear evenly, and no surprises if there’s an emergency. If there is an emergency and I have the teal one in my mouth, the yellow one will be clipped in the usual place octos are. If I have the yellow one in my mouth, the teal one will be on a necklace and this will be a primary donate situation. What do you think? Thank you so much!
Apart from the colour the 2nd stages will be exactly the same. However, the yellow alternate is often set up a little bit stiffer by the technician to make it less likely to freeflow on your hip. You probably won't notice much of a difference but over time it will increase your WOB. You also have the longer hose you need to deal with over your shoulder that is more likely to get snagged on things. I wouldn't worry too much about evening the use of the 2nd stages. sure the primary is going to get more use than the alternate but, by the time any sort of wear occurs it will be long past the time they're due a service anyway.
That's a bit of a vague question... To be able to recommend any dive site, some diver info is required first. Firstly, what are your preferences? In-land (fresh water) or Sea diving? If Fresh, Quarry, Lake, River or Cave/Mine? If Sea, Boat or Shore? Also if Sea, Squidge (Sea life) or Wrecks? What level are you trained to? No point recommending wrecks in the 50-60m range if you are only qualified to dive 18m, and are only interested in sea life. Where are you based? As there's little point recommending many in the far north of Scotland, if you're based in Plymouth... Best advice that could be given without any knowledge of you as a diver is go along to your local BSAC club and ask questions there. Alternatively, get yourself a copy of the "Top 100 British Shore Dives" book by Anita Sherwood, or "Wild and Temperate Seas" book by Will Appleyard. Good luck, and safe diving.
Sidemount divers should consider a butt pouch instead. I use it even when I'm back mounting. I feel as though all that stuff in a thigh pocket interferes with my finning. You do need to deploy it but it's not difficult and I've done it in a cave with wetsuit gloves without issue.
Ive got the hollis btr 500. But not moveable pockets. And not with zippers. Velcro instead. I like them.
Maybe my is a newer/older model? 🤔
The moveable pockets were a prototype that never went into production. I don't remember Velcro pockets though, must have been a rare run of the BTR-500
#askmark
Hello again Mark!
Thanks for answering my question a few days ago!
I recently bought my first reg set. Got the Apeks Ocea Stage 3 kit and added an SPG to it. Thanks for your in-depth videos on it that helped me decide!
Here’s my question. The two secondaries are identical, right? If so, when diving, should I alternate between the two? As in, on the first dive, have the teal one in my mouth, then on the second dive, have the yellow one in my mouth. This way, they wear evenly, and no surprises if there’s an emergency.
If there is an emergency and I have the teal one in my mouth, the yellow one will be clipped in the usual place octos are. If I have the yellow one in my mouth, the teal one will be on a necklace and this will be a primary donate situation.
What do you think?
Thank you so much!
Apart from the colour the 2nd stages will be exactly the same. However, the yellow alternate is often set up a little bit stiffer by the technician to make it less likely to freeflow on your hip. You probably won't notice much of a difference but over time it will increase your WOB. You also have the longer hose you need to deal with over your shoulder that is more likely to get snagged on things.
I wouldn't worry too much about evening the use of the 2nd stages. sure the primary is going to get more use than the alternate but, by the time any sort of wear occurs it will be long past the time they're due a service anyway.
Hey Mark, what are your recommendations for dive sites in the UK? #AskMark
That's a bit of a vague question... To be able to recommend any dive site, some diver info is required first. Firstly, what are your preferences? In-land (fresh water) or Sea diving? If Fresh, Quarry, Lake, River or Cave/Mine? If Sea, Boat or Shore? Also if Sea, Squidge (Sea life) or Wrecks? What level are you trained to? No point recommending wrecks in the 50-60m range if you are only qualified to dive 18m, and are only interested in sea life. Where are you based? As there's little point recommending many in the far north of Scotland, if you're based in Plymouth...
Best advice that could be given without any knowledge of you as a diver is go along to your local BSAC club and ask questions there.
Alternatively, get yourself a copy of the "Top 100 British Shore Dives" book by Anita Sherwood, or "Wild and Temperate Seas" book by Will Appleyard.
Good luck, and safe diving.
Sidemount divers should consider a butt pouch instead. I use it even when I'm back mounting. I feel as though all that stuff in a thigh pocket interferes with my finning. You do need to deploy it but it's not difficult and I've done it in a cave with wetsuit gloves without issue.
😂
@@the.mr.beacher 🤣