Life Jacket recomdations

Root · Post by **Root** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 5:18 pm

Hey guys,

I need some help in choosing a new life vest. I'm looking at the Mustang, Sospenders and Cabalas automatic inflatable. Can anyone give me some insight as to which ones are good, overrated and junk. Thanks much

Bill K · Post by **Bill K** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 7:45 pm

I have the Sospender brand and like them very well. Comfortable to wear, etc. I bought the manual style, as I use them also with a float tube and wanted the Coast guard approval for PFD at all times in the boat. The auto type are only approved while you wear them, so remember that when you buy. I believe all of the sos type vests are about the same, just prices vary. Someone near you must have them, check them out and make a choice. Bill K

TheFLY · Post by **TheFLY** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 7:47 pm

I'm sellin' a brand new sospenders on ebay right now. Check it out ...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... AMESE%3AIT

Gary Dobyns · Post by **Gary Dobyns** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:12 pm

The new Mustang vest is the most comfortable and better made.

Root · Post by **Root** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:17 pm

Gary, What makes them better, is it the arming device? The Mustang is about 100 bucks more that SOS

Gary Dobyns · Post by **Gary Dobyns** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:26 pm

I did not realize they were that pricey. Better material and everything. They are also much easier to take on and off. I hate the SOS vests simply for trying to get in and out of them.. They will go off and scare the sh** out of you also.

Brian Paine · Post by **Brian Paine** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:30 pm

Which model of the Mustang vest do you recomend?

Brian

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:15 pm

Glad to hear you say I'm not the only one who has trouble putting the sospenders on. I get it right about two thirds of the time, but I get it backwards often enough to be really annoying. I leave it on most of the time now. They're not uncomfortable, and it's easier to reattach the lanyard each time than to try to put it on correctly. I am still fighting the old habit of taking it off when I turn off the big motor. I guess it's the old dog, new tricks thing.

Ken C. · Post by **Ken C.** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:53 pm

I've got two of the SOSpenders World Class Auto/Manual vests and my son and I like them alot. Unfortunately for some reason they are rated such that they have to be worn to be counted as a PFD. (I still don't understand why a manual can be rated type III, but the auto/manual is only a type V, but that's another story!)

Anyway while I was driving up to Reno today I was reading the new Cabela's catalog (

) and see that they have a house-brand model, Auto/Manual with 35lbs. flotation that is type III rated even if not worn!

My feeling on it is that I like the inflatables because they are more comfortable so we're more likely to wear them at all times, and I want an auto-inflate model for two reasons: I've been dumped at speed before and believe me you loose your orientation after rolling so many times (under water) so it's nice to know you don't have to think to find and pull the "rip-cord"; and I figure with my luck next time I'll probably get knocked out and won't have the capacity to pull the cord anyway! (Hence my puzzlement over the C.G. rating on some of these vests! Apparently the logic is that you can manually inflate a manual vest and throw it out to someone who went overboard or needs assistance. But wait!! I can do that with my auto/manual - HELL-O-O-O!

)

To be honest, I have tried to put it on "inverted" a couple of times, but now if I do take it off I just drape it over the seat-back so when I sit down it's easier to put on, but the neat thing about them is that - especially in cold water/temps - we tend to leave them on all the time so it's not an issue.

Only other thing is to visually check the firing mechanism each time you go out, and just go ahead and replace the "pellet" once a year.

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 6:09 am

NaCl · Post by **NaCl** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 8:24 am

Ken C. · Post by **Ken C.** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 9:18 am

I've never seen just the pellet for sale but there are two types of re-arm kits that I have seen. One with new pin, pellet & cartridge and the other with only the pin and the pellet. I've also heard people say to make sure you get "fresh" product - not something that's been hanging on a peg for a year or more.

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 10:47 am

As Brian D. says, this is a tough crowd.

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 10:48 am

NaCl · Post by **NaCl** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:04 pm

this "pot" has no room to call the "kettle" black. I'm one of the guys that Gary wants to stand besides for pictures...I make him look skinny and tall! HaHa!

.....NaCl

NaCl · Post by **NaCl** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 1:12 pm

Hey Brian, just want to make sure you understand that "XXXXXL" was pokin fun at Gary, not you. Sorry if you or anyone else misunderstood.

.....NaCl

Glory Hole Sports · Post by **Glory Hole Sports** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 2:47 pm

The Mustangs are expensive, but they are not water-activated. The are water Pressure activated- the won't go off until they are 5" below the surface of the water. So they won't go off in the rain, or if you put them away damp in your rod locker- a huge improvement over all other vests!

Glory Hole Sports · Post by **Glory Hole Sports** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 2:52 pm

The Mustangs are expensive, but they are not water-activated. The are water Pressure activated- the won't go off until they are 5" below the surface of the water. So they won't go off in the rain, or if you put them away damp in your rod locker- a huge improvement over all other vests!

TomAtkeson · Post by **TomAtkeson** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 9:46 pm

In addition to what Gary said The USCG uses alot of Mustang Survival Systems products. I love what Ive been issued! Tried and true in the Search and Rescue and LE fields I think it would be awesome for fishing as well.

Gene Buchholz · Post by **Gene Buchholz** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 6:30 am

I've been selling the Mustangs for awhile and the quality is by far better then any other inflatable flotation devise on the market.
They have a neoprene collar.
The best unit is the MD3183 it has the new Hydrostatic Activation system instead of the Capsule. It does not need maintinance for 5 years and it wont go off in your rod locker. The SOS units have a tendance to do that.
Mustang also has a less expensive unit MD3083 which is equal to the SOS and not that much difference in price.
I have both units and SOS in stock at The Hook if you want to stop and compare or purchase.
If you have any questions call 925-625-2441