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Post by gofish2 on Dec 17, 2015 16:14:26 GMT -5
What brand do you like of Automatic Inflatable Life Jacket? Comfort and Quality? My son wants to buy us a couple for Christmas and neither of us are sure which brand is of good quality. They will be worn so we want something that can be taken on and off, tossed around the boat (when not in use) put back on and not be broken. Not going to be put in a storage bin and left. Read some reviews about broken plastic clips that hold CO2 cartridge on. Don’t want things like this to happen.
Doesn’t have to be the most expensive one on the market but don’t mind paying for what you get.
Thanks and have a Merry Christmas.
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Post by primetime on Dec 17, 2015 16:55:14 GMT -5
Something to keep in mind, will the pfd keep the head above water. Striperjohn experimented with this.
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Brian
New Member
Posts: 611
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Post by Brian on Dec 17, 2015 16:59:06 GMT -5
I like Mustang HIT pfds.
I have worn in in rough seas and bad weather where I was totally drenched for hours and confident that it wouldn't go off accidentally
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Post by mwardncsu on Dec 17, 2015 18:48:40 GMT -5
I like Mustang HIT pfds. I have worn in in rough seas and bad weather where I was totally drenched for hours and confident that it wouldn't go off accidentally X2 on Mustang HIT.... it requires a pressure change from being in the water to set it off - vs the "dissolving pill" type which have been known to go off in a rod locker or basement due to humidity softening & dissolving the pill - or when you wear them in a down-pour. They are more expensive and the recharge kits are more expensive.... in fact I need to order one as mine if 5 yrs old an "expiring" I will say the one I have sort of pulls on my neck a little mainly when wearing it over another jacket - I think there are some newer versions with a different "cut" that may be even more comfortable. |
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Post by getlinewet on Dec 22, 2015 10:51:23 GMT -5
Cabellas has some auto inflates on sale for Christmas for $79.95
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Post by gofish2 on Dec 23, 2015 0:04:22 GMT -5
Thanks for the info.
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Post by mwardncsu on May 30, 2016 21:17:54 GMT -5
Well, the inflator on my Mustang HIT life vest expired last year so it was time to put a new inflator cartridge in it. Figured this was a good opportunity to see how the vest actually inflates - so I strapped it on my son and told him to go jump.  You can see the vest starting to inflate before he has even fully surfaced - and then it pops the shell open as it fully inflates in less than a couple of seconds The vest was still fully inflated several hours later when I deflated it via the manual inflate tube to prepare for the inflator changeout. |
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Post by smlfishing on May 31, 2016 8:11:31 GMT -5
Well, the inflator on my Mustang HIT life vest expired last year so it was time to put a new inflator cartridge in it. Figured this was a good opportunity to see how the vest actually inflates - so I strapped it on my son and told him to go jump. You can see the vest starting to inflate before he has even fully surfaced - and then it pops the shell open as it fully inflates in less than a couple of seconds The vest was still fully inflated several hours later when I deflated it via the manual inflate tube to prepare for the inflator changeout. I have been wanting to get some of these jackets to use when we are out fishing. One thing I am confused of is my daughter is 14. So she is not required to wear a life jacket but of course we make them both wear one. Some times when we are anchored catfishing I will let her take it off as long as it is close especially when it is hot. These inflatables would be great for down lining or running planers on the TM then they could switch back when we are under way. The problem is we have been told you cannot use them below 16. Do you know if they have an age limit on them? I want to see your video but it off course is blocked at work so I will watch it tonight. Where is a good place to purchase these? |
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Post by mwardncsu on May 31, 2016 8:29:29 GMT -5
these are available at a lot of places - Bass Pro, Cabelas, Amazon, etc - not sure if anywhere has significantly better prices or not. I've not seen them at any of the local shops or I'd send you there. The SML Water Saftey Council is selling one with 50th anniversary embroidery, but it is the "pill" type which personally I do not like as well for reasons mentioned above - however, if you can keep it dry when stored and don't fish in a down-pour, then they can be OK and save some money. As to the age thing - they are marked as "Adult" I believe (though I could be wrong as on-line it says "Universal"), but it is really more about weight than age.... the specs on this one are for a 30"-52" chest and 80 lbs and over. Also, interesting mine is marked as "Type II for Recreational Boating and "Type V" for commercial use - I found that interesting as I had always been told that the inflatables had to be worn to be "legal" and counted as a life jacket on the boat - vs. the others that can just be stowed - but the Type II marking would seem to indicate they could be stored like any others and not have to be work to be legal... as long as you are a recreational vessel. Of course, its certainly a better idea to be wearing it regardless of what the law says I guess  |
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Post by coheasion on May 31, 2016 9:58:35 GMT -5
Thats awesome that you have your own test subjects for your experiments! |
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Post by mwardncsu on May 31, 2016 10:13:57 GMT -5
Thats awesome that you have your own test subjects for your experiments! I sure wasn't going to risk my head being blown off when the thing inflates   |
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Post by zombiestriper on May 5, 2024 23:17:12 GMT -5
Are there any updates on the more recent models? I have a SOSPENDERS one from 2004. Always worried it would go off in the rain, throwing cast net etc. Been in my closet since new. Can you still get chargers for these?
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Post by medik411 on May 13, 2024 6:12:49 GMT -5
I have been wanting to get some of these jackets to use when we are out fishing. One thing I am confused of is my daughter is 14. So she is not required to wear a life jacket but of course we make them both wear one. Some times when we are anchored catfishing I will let her take it off as long as it is close especially when it is hot. These inflatables would be great for down lining or running planers on the TM then they could switch back when we are under way. The problem is we have been told you cannot use them below 16. Do you know if they have an age limit on them? I want to see your video but it off course is blocked at work so I will watch it tonight. Where is a good place to purchase these? Va, NC, USGC all require 16y/o or older to use an inflatable vest. Must be worn to count as a required equipment. under 16 must wear at all times if on the boat. I have 2 from Cabelas and 2 Mustangs. Both are great. |
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