Inflatable PFD Recomendations

[DHaun]

I am looking for opinions, recommendations, pros/cons on inflatable PFDs for anyone with experience them. I plan on wearing mine more often this year and want something light and comfortable yet still safe.

I was looking at this model auto/manual inflate: Cabelas Inflatable PFD

Thanks!

 

[foodsaver]

I got that mustang pfd for christmas from my dad and sometimes I forget that I am wearing it. Bass pro shops had them on sale for 100 instead of 150 and it is a huge improvement most days. On those cold days when your glad for any extra layer you can miss the big bulky life jackets.

 

[J-Dub]

I thought about getting myself one, or a present for my Dad. I've heard some complaints about them firing off on their own like if there's humidity in a storage box or the like. One guy I know even went back to his old vest life jacket and threw his auto/inflatable one in the garbage. I'd love to hear some pros/cons for these lifejackets. If every third trip to the lake I have to go buy a re-arming kit, I'll just stick to my old stand by. Thanks.

 

[Fat Albert]

<font color="#6600ff">David,  the madbomber talked my BW into getting me one....Wal-Mart has a good one for about 90 bucks... I wore it the day we fished and it is comfortable, easy on and off...now I wear it all the time, well not at the house but you know what I mean....FA</font>

 

[TKbigbass]

I have used an inflatable PDF for 4 years and love it. I have the SOSPENDERS world class model and once I put it on I don't take it off until I get back to the dock. They are a lot more comfortable to fish in than the old vest style so you don't have to take it off every time you stop to fish and put it back on when you move to another fishing location.

Mine has inflated while in the boat's storage compartment twice. Both times it was when the boat was left out during a summer rain storm and the humidity set it off. I do wear it while fishing in the rain under my rain suite and have never had a problem. I would say that if it got soaked from the rain it would inflate.

If you are worried about it accidently inflating you can always change it from auto. mode to manual mode where you have to pull the cord to inflate. But, if you're knocked out when thrown from the boat it would be kindly difficult to pull the cord.

 

[TennesseeTalker]

I want one of those too. Maybe we should make a list and see if we can get a discount. emoSmile

TT

 

[minner]

I got the the Mustang auto hydrostatic inflatable a few months ago . The thing I like about it is that it will not deploy unless it's submerged under at least 4" of water. I've gotten this thing wet a few times now and it has been flawless. I shopped, I researched, and I saved up and bought what I felt like was the best and safest for me. They are a bit pricey on BPS but I shopped around and got it for $185 and in grey instead of red which I like.
Here's the specs http://www.mustangsurvival.com/products/product.php?id=506

I might add I forgot I had it on in the rain once and it never inflated.

 

[Andrew]

I've had a Mustang manual/auto from bps for two years now. I rarely take it off even long using the tm. So light theres no reason to take it off period and thats a plus on the safety side. Just buy couple of recharging kits cause you never know when they might go off long fishing in the rain.

 

[RangerRob]

Here you go DHaun ... http://www.toysplash.com/Product/AquaCoachSwimmies

Thank me later.

 

[MooseKnuckle]

RangerRob, that would be great, but they are out of stock. Do you know anywhere else that may have that model?

 

[RangerRob]

Son-of-a-gun. See ... it's a hot product!

 

[DHaun]

That's too bad - those are right in my price range RR!

 

[Fuzzy]

I got a 125.00 Stearns last year. I wear it all the time (and I've competed in 15+ triathlons). I moved up here for a year with my wife coming up last November. There was a small boat here at the house we bought and I dropped a few bucks in it and used it for fishing. The deal with my wife was I would wear a vest ALL the time when by myself. No way could I complete that promise with a conventional vest. I love it and still use it all the time. I am all out of shape now, but even if I was still running swimming and biking, can't swim when you hit your head. The other thing I like is that it does make for some interesting tanning marks in the summer....emoLaugh

 

[drumking]

Fat Albert - 3/13/2007 1:00 PM

<font color="#6600ff">David,  the madbomber talked my BW into getting me one....Wal-Mart has a good one for about 90 bucks... I wore it the day we fished and it is comfortable, easy on and off...now I wear it all the time, well not at the house but you know what I mean....FA</font>

Matches your PJ's if I remember correctly!emoBigsmile emoUpsmile emoGeezer

 

[Davo]

I've got several of them. My favorite is the Mustang, but once on you can't tell the difference. The main thing on the Mustang is that you can see the charge cartridge through a clear window, just let's you know it's functioning. Some of them have extemely sensitive water sensors and will go off in the rain or in a damp storage compartment with high humidity so be careful.

 

[Fat Albert]

<font color="#ff0066">Dhaun, just recieved spring catalog from BPS and they have 2 pages of these things on sale....sale last till mid April....FA</font></p>

 

[BigFishGuide]

I have got a couple of Stearns belt packs. Nice and cool during the summer months. Most of my clients wear them from the time they step on the boat to the time they get off my boat. They don't get in the way and are easy to operate. The belt pack has a lanyard that must be pulled and does not have the auto inflate feature. They are easy to re-arm. Only draw back that I see to them is if you go over board and hit your head on the boat or wall and get knocked out then who's going to pull the lanyard.

 

[DHaun]

Thanks for all the feedback - I appreciate it!

-David

 

[Guest]

Been lookin in to these and cant make up my mind. I have compared a few and remember some extremely heavier than others, but cant remember wich one is the lightest. Ordering online has its faults. Any help would be greatfullllllllll....