Simp Posted March 29, 2010 Posted March 29, 2010 I've been looking at picking up a couple of these and are comparing them to the manual ones. The ONLY concern with the auto is I've heard horror stories of them setting off in the rain. Any truth to these stories? Also how easy would they go off in storage if it rains? Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted March 29, 2010 Super User Posted March 29, 2010 I've been wearing them for a few years now and I've never had mine go off in the rain. I had mine go off in my SUV once, I think that was due to the excessive humidity and then being locked up in a hot truck for a few days. I don't know when it went off. I know it was wretchedly humid when I threw it in the back seat and then 6 days later it had went off. Last spring Bass Pro had a good sale on hydrostatic models and that is the one I use now. So far no problems. Quote
R520dvx Posted March 29, 2010 Posted March 29, 2010 Simp ..... I have an SOSpenders World Class and it has never gone off in the rain. The newer hydrostatic ones I understand won't either. I haven't used mine in a couple of years. If you are interested in a good deal, I would sell mine. Probably should have a new arming kit in it just to be safe. Quote
Olebiker Posted March 29, 2010 Posted March 29, 2010 I have a Sospenders and it has never gone off during a rain, but it has gone off twice during the night after a hard rain. I just rearmed it as a manual rather than automatic. Quote
Chuck H. Posted March 29, 2010 Posted March 29, 2010 The Mustang HIT models will only activate if submersed 4 inches under the water. I have been wearing one for about 5 years in all weather conditions and it absolutely will not go off. I just wore it in a driving rain all day Sunday. Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted March 29, 2010 Super User Posted March 29, 2010 I have two of the SoSpends that sold for about $170 a few years ago at BPS and water/moisture will not set them. It's not the moisture that triggures them it's the sudden micro amount of difference in atmospheric pressure that's cause when it's submerged a few inches under water that triggers them. I've been running down the lake in the rain many times with one on and it's yet to go off. Mine has never gone off but one time and that was when my granddaughter, seeing me wearing it all the time in the boat, thought is was a nice slim life jacket, got it out of the boat, put it on and jumped in the pool. She said it scared the crap out of her when she hit the water. She now has her own but she was under 10 then and they are not legal in GA for anyone under 10. Quote
Simp Posted March 30, 2010 Author Posted March 30, 2010 Wow I'm kind of surprised that there have been a few accidental set offs. My dad and I have been looking at the BPS branded ones that go for like 100$ and the manual that is 10$ less. Here is my thinking I"m trying to get around. First I'm cheap and a good swimmer. I use to compete when I was younger and even today, fat and all I can swim without using much energy. However I'm smart enough to know it's the accidental part that you wear one. I worry about being knocked unconscious or fainting ect and drowning. To me that means you have to go automatic for those reasons. I'm not worried about being in the watter and councess and you would need to be for a manual one. So personally that leaves me with the only option of getting a Auto. So I'm looking at all the angles and I don't want to have to spend 100$ and then 50$ twice a year because I wore it in a rain storm ect. Quote
flipin4bass Posted March 30, 2010 Posted March 30, 2010 I've got the Sospenders and never had a problem in the rain. I did have it go off inside the locker on my boat once, but I'm sure it was the intense humidity we were experencing. Quote
scrutch Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 anyone has an auto they wanna sell..I'll buy one. Quote
b.Lee Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 When it comes to my safety and life I don't go cheap. So I bought a Mustang one. Just my 2 cents Quote
Chuck H. Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 When it comes to my safety and life I don't go cheap. So I bought a Mustang one. Just my 2 cents I have to agree. The reason I'm here today to write this is because of my Mustang. Two years ago, I was thrown out of my boat when a hydraulic steering hose came off and I lost my steering. Even though I was only breaking in a new motor that day, I was wearing my vest and kill switch as is my habit. It saved my life. Quote
R520dvx Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 anyone has an auto they wanna sell..I'll buy one. Scrutch ..... if I can find it, I have a SOSpenders World Class I'll see you. I haven't used it for a few years. It should probably have a rearm kit put in it Quote
Ann-Marie Posted March 31, 2010 Posted March 31, 2010 Don't ignore the recommended periodic replacement of the water sensing pill, in the humid atmosphere on a boat they will eventually go off. I had one inflate that was stored in a drawer, it broke out the bottom of the drawer, and was a ***** to get out. Spend the $ for replacements and don't try to save $ like I did. Quote
scrutch Posted April 1, 2010 Posted April 1, 2010 anyone has an auto they wanna sell..I'll buy one. Scrutch ..... if I can find it, I have a SOSpenders World Class I'll see you. I haven't used it for a few years. It should probably have a rearm kit put in it ok. great! shoot me a pm when ya find it and we'll haggle a lil'. 8-) Quote
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