Dypsis Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 I am looking to purchase my first life jacket. I see the prices range from ~$100-300+. What are some things I should look for when purchasing a vest. Any brands that are known for good quality or ones to stay away from. Anything else I should know. Open to suggestions on ones you have been pleased with. Thanks, Matt Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted February 10, 2015 Global Moderator Posted February 10, 2015 Assuming you mean the inflatable variety with those prices. I have a BPS manual PFD that is very comfortable and I got it on sale for well under $100. I've had the high end Mustang auto inflating ones also. Nice concept, but they suck if you fish in rain very often. After I had to buy 3 rearming kits ($30 a pop), I sold it and bought the BPS one. Quote
Super User Hi Salenity Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 X2 I have a manual/auto and I wish it was a manual. I'm always worrying about it getting wet. Quote
Super User gardnerjigman Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 X2 I have a manual/auto and I wish it was a manual. I'm always worrying about it getting wet. You did look a little nervous on the way back to the ramp in those 2.5 footers spraying water all over you Quote
BassnChris Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 I have the bps/mustang auto/man.....I think about $199 but you can catch on sale. My wife uses a mustang MIT auto/man.......about $149 but currently on sale at BPS for $25 off. My son uses a bps/onyx auto/man about $125ish.......but we just bought him a mustang auto/man camo for $119 at bps. all except the newest mustang camo have been used for 3 years.....sun and rain. My wifes and mine, both, have been worn several times in very heavy rain without deployment. I do worry about that though......also do not store it in your vehicle or boat storage.....the heat and humidity can cause them to deploy. I store mine in the house. I opted for the auto/man version....since there is the possibility of getting knocked out on the way out of the boat......if nothing else I hope that it will allow for a quicker recovery of my body so my family doesn't have to go through the sometimes days of waiting while they look for the body......seen it too many times and I always try to plan for the worst and hope for the best! Quote
Dypsis Posted February 10, 2015 Author Posted February 10, 2015 Thanks for all the info - see it didn't even occur to me about the potential of the auto going off in the rain. However, also a great point about getting knocked unconscious. Quote
ColdSVT Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 Ive been eyeballing the onyx am/24 delux as of late auto/manual inflation, looks comfy and sells for 100ish in amazon Quote
Super User Hi Salenity Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 Another thing to look at is the size, I was originally looking at a $200+ Mustang but after taking it out and trying it on it was Bulkier than the $100 one. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 Thanks for all the info - see it didn't even occur to me about the potential of the auto going off in the rain. However, also a great point about getting knocked unconscious. If you purchase a quality product and there are several - it will not go off in the rain. Mustang was the product of choice while in the USCG - used if for several years without a problem. Still using one now. A-Jay 1 Quote
Super User Felix77 Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 I have used the BassPro/onyx auto/manual PFD for 3 years now. At the end of the season it was due for a new rearming kit so I discharged it. Works great!!! If you watch your local BPS you can get these well under $100. They normally retail around $120. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 What ever you choose - be sure to know the regulations of the state(s) you plan on fishing. Some basic info: http://paddling.about.com/od/safetyprecautions/tp/USCG_PFD_Specifications.htm A-Jay 2 Quote
Super User WIGuide Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 I bought one of the high end Mustang PFD's last spring and couldn't be happier. It's got the hydrostatic auto inflation so it doesn't matter if it gets soaked or not. It will only go off if it's submerged under 4" or more of water. I'm really happy with how comfortable it is and although it was pricey I feel it was worth it. 1 Quote
DelcoSol Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 Mustang HIT here. It's on sale at BPS for $199 now. Don't have to worry about the rain and I believe while the inflators are more expensive they last longer than the non HIT ones. My logic was that if it's something meant to save my life buy the best one I can. I just didn't trust those dissolvable bobbins. The Mustang is comfortable and I do not take it off during the day. It's not in the way while fishing and not hot at all. 2 Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted February 11, 2015 Super User Posted February 11, 2015 I have one of each, an older auto-inflate model and a newer Mustang hydrostatic inflation model. I wear the newer one most of the time. It has never deployed when it wan't supposed to. I wear it over my rain suit all the time. I keep the other one as a back up and for the occasional passenger. It has only auto-deployed once. I wore it all day on a brutally humid day, threw it into the truck as I packed up for the evening and after I got home, sometime during the night, it went off. It never did cool off that night and I am thinking that the damp clothes in the truck, in the sealed environment, created enough moisture to cause the clay bobbin to dissolve. That hasn't happened since. Before the inflatable life vests, I only wore mine when I had to. Now, I wear it all the time and frequently forget that I have it on. Quote
zeth Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 Check out the Spinlock Deckvest LITE. A great Auto inflatable. Actually better than great. Amazing! Light, more buoyancy, comfortable, auto/manual, will not go off in rain. Has won tons of awards. http://bassanglerhq.com/blog/gear/spinlock-deckvest-lite-ultra-lightweight-lifejacket/ Quote
dave Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 Remember also that most, if not all states, require there to be a life jacket for every passenger. In order for the inflatable to count, it must ALWAYS be worn. 1 Quote
Dypsis Posted February 12, 2015 Author Posted February 12, 2015 In order for the inflatable to count, it must ALWAYS be worn. I actually just learned that yesterday - didn't know. Curious as to why that is, the foam ones don't have to be worn at all times, but those do? Quote
Super User Angry John Posted February 13, 2015 Super User Posted February 13, 2015 I bought one of the high end Mustang PFD's last spring and couldn't be happier. It's got the hydrostatic auto inflation so it doesn't matter if it gets soaked or not. It will only go off if it's submerged under 4" or more of water. I'm really happy with how comfortable it is and although it was pricey I feel it was worth it. this is what I have also. I wear mine in Washington and it never stops raining here. Hang dry in garage zero problems! 1 Quote
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