Traveler2586 Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 $80.00 ?? Where do you buy from? Mine only cost $35.00 at todays listing and I think it was less that that four years ago when I got mine. http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survival-Inflatable-Life-Jacket-Rearming-Kit-Model-MA7202/product/75745/ OK, mark your calendars ! If I don't do it before, in August when we go to the beach, where we have a pool, I'll have someone video me testing my PFD and I'll post it for laughs. But I would like to see how it works & feels, and how well it keeps me up; I would also like to see how to rearm the PFD. BTW, there's no mfg. date on the device, just a green status window and a bunch of code numbers stamped into the CO2 cylinder, one of which must have a date encoded in the number. I'll move this subject to another thread on PFD Maintenance. But IMHO, get the best PFD you can afford, and treat it with all the loving care of your new born baby. 1 Quote
Super User J Francho Posted April 3, 2013 Super User Posted April 3, 2013 $80.00 ?? Where do you buy from? Mine only cost $35.00 at todays listing and I think it was less that that four years ago when I got mine. http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survival-Inflatable-Life-Jacket-Rearming-Kit-Model-MA7202/product/75745/ OK, mark your calendars ! If I don't do it before, in August when we go to the beach, where we have a pool, I'll have someone video me testing my PFD and I'll post it for laughs. But I would like to see how it works & feels, and how well it keeps me up; I would also like to see how to rearm the PFD. BTW, there's no mfg. date on the device, just a green status window and a bunch of code numbers stamped into the CO2 cylinder, one of which must have a date encoded in the number. I'll move this subject to another thread on PFD Maintenance. But IMHO, get the best PFD you can afford, and treat it with all the loving care of your new born baby. That is not the HIT hydrostatic model. That uses a dissolving bobbin. This is the HIT rearming kit: http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survival-Inflatable-Life-Jacket-Rearming-Kit-Model-MA7218/product/72461/ Here is what yours looks like, inflated: And the story: http://plan-b.smugmug.com/Family/Fishing-Journal/i-8tHfw2r/0/L/20100328-MendonPonds-05-L.jpg Quote
Traveler2586 Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 I don't have the Mustang model, I have the BPS model http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survival-Deluxe-Automatic-Inflatable-Life-Jacket/product/10204824/ I've had this for four years (or there abouts) now and have never tested it cause the status window always shows green. A friend told me that I should test it annually; and I just read a user manual at the Mustang web site that says he's right. Oh well, guess I never recalled that from the info that came with the PFD. For $35.00 I'll have a little fun and learn a little about my PFD in the process. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted April 3, 2013 Super User Posted April 3, 2013 That was my point, we have different vests, with different technology. HIT relies on water pressure to trigger, while yours has a dissolving bobbin. As far as yearly testing goes, I guess you'd just be testing for leaks. Quote
Traveler2586 Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 That was my point, we have different vests, with different technology. HIT relies on water pressure to trigger, while yours has a dissolving bobbin. As far as yearly testing goes, I guess you'd just be testing for leaks. X2, testing for leaks is the big thing. I guess the plastic might dry out and crack at the folds?? I went with the BPS PFD because it was cheaper (I'm Scottish & cheep) and I knew nothing about the technology at the time; it was an experiment. But I'm glad I went with an inflatable, it's far more comfortable, and I therefore keep it on while fishing (unless it's very calm and I'm working a shoreline. 1 Quote
BassnChris Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 I don't have the Mustang model, I have the BPS model http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survival-Deluxe-Automatic-Inflatable-Life-Jacket/product/10204824/ I bought the basspro/mustang model.........the returned and bought the H.I.T mustang........then when I saw the cost of the H.I.T. Replacement cartridges......$70ish dollars a pop.......I returned it and bought the BP/mustang model again with 35 ish replacement costs. I think are quality products.......with the main difference being the technology. Decided to take a chance the the rain and humidity don't get to it here in Oklahoma.......I know some other guys have this one around here without issue......Mike being one I think. Quote
Super User Goose52 Posted April 3, 2013 Super User Posted April 3, 2013 Question: How often do you guys change out your cartages? I have one person tell me he does it every season; and another person says he's never changed his. And has anyone ever tested theirs by jumping in the water or a pool? My PFD requires replacement of the cartridge and bobbin every three years. I just re-armed my PFD and posted about it here: PFD Re-Arm PFD Re-arm kit: I did discharge my PFD...but not by jumping in the water (too cold for that)...so I used the manual pull-tab. Fired right off. I also tested the old bobbin in water - disolved like an alka-selzer... Inflated PFD after firing it off: Quote
Traveler2586 Posted April 3, 2013 Posted April 3, 2013 I bought the basspro/mustang model.........the returned and bought the H.I.T mustang........then when I saw the cost of the H.I.T. Replacement cartridges......$70ish dollars a pop.......I returned it and bought the BP/mustang model again with 35 ish replacement costs. I think are quality products.......with the main difference being the technology. Decided to take a chance the the rain and humidity don't get to it here in Oklahoma.......I know some other guys have this one around here without issue......Mike being one I think. Don't know what it's like in Ok, but summers around the Wash. D.C. area are always "Hazy, Hot, and Humid" to the point sweat just runs down your face and shirts get soaked. But in four years I haven't had any issues with mine. Quote
dave Posted April 4, 2013 Posted April 4, 2013 Mustang auto/manuel. Low profile, light, can wear all day and not know its there. I dont always wear it on the bass boat, but when im on the river on my jon boat it is a must. Everyone must remember that if you want the inflatable to "count" as being onboard as a PFD, by USCG regulation, it MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES. I guess if you stow extra standard types, that may be acceptable. If it is the only one for a particular person, it must be worn at all times. http://sailing.about.com/od/lawsregulations/a/InflatablePFDlegal.htm Quote
Traveler2586 Posted April 4, 2013 Posted April 4, 2013 Everyone must remember that if you want the inflatable to "count" as being onboard as a PFD, by USCG regulation, it MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES. I guess if you stow extra standard types, that may be acceptable. If it is the only one for a particular person, it must be worn at all times. http://sailing.about.com/od/lawsregulations/a/InflatablePFDlegal.htm X2. I was at a fishing expo this past winter where I stooped by the CG Aux booth to ask a question. The CG rep was talking with two men about inflatables and if I heard correctly he said they must be worn at all times when the craft is under power (moving) even if that power is the Trolling Motor. One other point the CG rep made was about properly adjusting the straps; an inflatable could come off over the head if the waist straps are too loose. I personally like my inflatable and would buy a replacement when the time comes; but I would like to get a larger size for a proper fit based on the discussion I heard. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted April 4, 2013 Super User Posted April 4, 2013 I don't know about the rest of you, but I always have three standard PFDs in my boat's dry storage. That way, there's never a question if I get stopped. 1 Quote
Super User Teal Posted April 4, 2013 Super User Posted April 4, 2013 I don't know about the rest of you, but I always have three standard PFDs in my boat's dry storage. That way, there's never a question if I get stopped. Saame here, i carry two more of the standard pfd from bass pro along with a pfd for my two yr old. Maybe i should have been clear... i also keep the cheap old orangenpfd in my pond boat. Quote
Traveler2586 Posted April 6, 2013 Posted April 6, 2013 For those of you that have the Bass Pro/Mustang model MD-3087, MD-3084, MD-3083, MD-0200, MD-3032, MD-3031MD-3002, MD-3001, MC-1900HR, or MC-1900 I've just found that BPS carries a Mustang "Halkey Roberts" replacement bobbin (MA-9210) for only $9.99; so if your CO2 cartage is good (not punctured) all you need to do is change out the bobbin. These bobbins are date coded and the two I just got are dated Feb 22, 2016 if you keep them in their blister package. I did find Mustang instructions stating to change out the bobbin every three years, or sooner depending on usage environment. Check out the BPS link for more details at http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survival-Replacement-Bobbin-for-Inflatable-Life-Jackets/product/10209471/ Quote
NBR Posted April 6, 2013 Posted April 6, 2013 Why are you forced to use the boater's PFD? I am not a strong swimmer and I fish alone in my boat often so I bought a self inflating PFD and I take it with me when I fish the back seat. I put it on when I get in the boat and take it off then the day is done. When I have someone with me I have them bring their PFD. A poorly fitting or worn PFD is not acceptable to the coast guard or other marine safety officiers. Quote
Traveler2586 Posted April 6, 2013 Posted April 6, 2013 Why are you forced to use the boater's PFD? I am not a strong swimmer and I fish alone in my boat often so I bought a self inflating PFD and I take it with me when I fish the back seat. I put it on when I get in the boat and take it off then the day is done. When I have someone with me I have them bring their PFD. A poorly fitting or worn PFD is not acceptable to the coast guard or other marine safety officiers. Personally, I wouldn't want to take pot luck on what the boater may have available for me to wear; I've seen guy's that have some rank PFD's covered in mildew from damp locker storage..... No Thanks Quote
Jake... Posted April 6, 2013 Posted April 6, 2013 The new Mustang MIT 100 looks awesome, very compact and not bulky when inflated. I'm in a kayak though and will probably go the traditional foam route, but the MIT 100 sounds nice for Summer time. Quote
Traveler2586 Posted April 7, 2013 Posted April 7, 2013 Here's a tip I got at a Coast Guard class years back.... When you buy a PFD take a marker and write the date of purchase somewhere on the PFD; this is it's "in service date" (ISD) Knowing the ISD years down the road will be helpful in letting you know it may be time for a new PFD. On my Mustang inflatable it has instruction booklets sewn inside; these have plenty of blank pages where you can record the ISD, inspection dates, and arming system service dates. Show these records to any officer preforming a safety inspection on your boat and watch him smile; your inspection may go a lot faster when they know your on the ball Quote
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