I kayak fish alone and think I want an inflatable PFD, particularly in cold weather when my regular PFD feels too bulky to wear over my extra layers of clothes. By default I checked out the NRS options, but also see comparable items at BassPro for half the cost. Any specific features to consider as I try to decide which to get?

Budget - Onyx AM-24

Best - Mustang HIT

There’s only one of you.  What’s your life worth other than the best.

Thanks. Is the Mustang HIT truly the best? I don't have much experience with these. How would the Mustang compare to the NRS Otto Matik? I usually think of NRS making some pretty good stuff.

 

44 minutes ago, wasabi_VA said:

Thanks. Is the Mustang HIT truly the best? I don't have much experience with these. How would the Mustang compare to the NRS Otto Matik? I usually think of NRS making some pretty good stuff.

 

From what I can find out, the NRS uses the 'dissolving bobbin' style trigger...if it gets wet, it triggers. You hear alot about inflatables going off in heavy rain - that's the bobbin style.

 

The HIT models use a pressure sensor...once the pressure change exceeds a certain level, the inflatable is triggered...this is around 4" beneath the water surface. Won't go off in the rain or if splashed...air pressure change would have to be severe (major front or worse) to trigger it.

The US Army Corps of Engineers use the Mustang.  That was enough for me.

I have a mustang MIT and love it. Anytime my boat is moving on the water it’s on. When it gets really cold I wear my striker ice float suit. It is not considered a PFD by the USCG but, will keep me afloat for a few hours. It also will drain water as I try to get out of it. I think clam might be coming out with a USCG approved suit.  if I would to get a new one it would be an HIT.

I have had dissolving bobbin PFD's for probably 30 years and the only one that went off was in a flooded compartment of my boat.  I fished in heavy rain a number of times.  Probably had the PFD under the rain coat, but don't remember.  Mine were Cabelas and Bass Pro brand, not sure who made them.  Not the really expensive ones.  I'd say if you can afford the expensive spread, do it.  You usually get what you pay for.  

38 minutes ago, MickD said:

Mine were Cabelas and Bass Pro brand, not sure who made them.

BPS/Cabelas M-24, AM-24 and AM-33 are just re-branded Onyx models.

 

I went with the NRS Otto Matik (automatic) and it seems well made. Wish I could have compared them in-person but nobody anywhere near me carries them to compare.

I have a Basspro AM-24 and it works fine, no issues in rain.  Not the best for wading in rivers if you're prone to tripping over rocks ...don't ask.  My biggest gripe is the recharge kits are $25 a pop.

On 12/25/2022 at 5:46 PM, Jig Man said:

There’s only one of you.  What’s your life worth other than the best.

By that logic, why should you not avoid all inflatables?  Why take a chance on moving parts and unnecessary complications just for comfort when your life is on the line?

 

Honestly though, the Bass Pro units are fine.  Think of it this way, if any of these units were to fail in a catastrophic way, which company has the most to lose?  Big companies always do risk/reward assessments.  I'm not saying they always get it right, but they at least fully believe the potential risks (both financial and to reputation), don't outweigh the potential rewards.  If BPS thought their PFD's could in any way cost them more in lawsuits and reputation damage than the small profits they pull in from them (they are really low priced), there's no way they'd sell them!  You don't risk a billion dollar business to pull in an extra few tens of thousands of dollars a year.  And lastly, they've been selling these for years, and I've never heard any horror stories.  Have you?  

I'm not saying they're better than the Mustangs.  Obviously the pressure trigger versus the dissolving trigger is an important feature to consider.  I'm just saying that in the end, they're probably all statistically equal in their reliability.  

i'm going to buy one.  for my rides on my friends bassboat mostly.  his PFD are too big and they kinda suck.  

 

i am going to file this one under, "things i dont want to skimp on"...like sushi, and heart surgery.  it is okay to spend a few extra bucks.

On 12/25/2022 at 5:23 PM, MN Fisher said:

Budget - Onyx AM-24

Best - Mustang HIT

My son's in the Coast Guard and highly recommended Mustang. So does @ajay (also a USCG Vet) and @MN Fisher, as you can see. My mother in-law got me an Onyx A/M 24 Clearview for Christmas. They are highly rated, so I'm very comfortable using it. Plus, if my friend @MN Fisher recommends them as a budget option, I'm good. 

All that said, my plan is to save up a little and order a Mustang and use the Onyx for anyone that goes out with me 

What @Jig Man said my life and others are too important.  Mustang 100mph while big motor running and Mustang HIT when not.

On 12/25/2022 at 9:58 PM, wasabi_VA said:

Thanks. Is the Mustang HIT truly the best? I don't have much experience with these. 

 

Yes

I am also in the market for these and have been looking at the mustang HIT. How do these far with bigger guys? I wear 3-4XL t- shirt, will they expand large enough to fit the big guys?

1 hour ago, Str8BraidPowa said:

I am also in the market for these and have been looking at the mustang HIT. How do these far with bigger guys? I wear 3-4XL t- shirt, will they expand large enough to fit the big guys?

I haven't tried on a Mustang yet, so I really can't answer your question directly. I wear a 2X shirt and my Onyx 24 fits with a ton of room left for bigger guys. I'd be willing to bet that Mustang is the same way.