Ok, looks like the Mustang HIT auto inflate is the best. Where do ya'll recommend to get the best price for these? Google'd and doesn't seem anyone has them on sale.
Found the site, definition for the HIT...
These are MUCH more expensive than others, i.e., Cabelas/Onyx/etc. Are they really worth the extra $ just for the Mustang brand name?

God Bless

I have a Mustang HIT. (Hydrostatic Inflator Technology)

Pro: Light and comfortable.

Con: Pricy purchase and pricy recharge.

Do it again? Maybe. Wear it mostly in the Summer heat but use the "old school" lifejacket the rest of the year.

I see a lot of them. Thanks John, where did you purchase yours? Best price? Man, they are not 'inexpensive'...looks pretty much around $249 ea
Man, for my at least, Auto-Inflate is a no brainer!!! Alone or even with someone, no matter the water temperature, I want to be out of the water QUICKLY and if alone, I sure want to make sure I have every chance possible of survival.
Brightly colored, automatically deployed....Money VERY WELL SPENT !!!
JMO
God Bless

My wife was pulling our boat up to the dock a few weeks ago at Lewisville and the wind started pushing us away from the dock so I reached over to grab the pole, kicked the boat our from under me and went into the drink. Fully submerged, 48 degree temps and my Onyx never inflated. Like a parachute you never know until you need it. The sight glass showed green so it is SUPPOSED to be good. If needed I could have pulled the ripcord I guess. I don't want to blame the jacket. Million to one failures seem to happen to me. I can even buy one of those lures Bill Dance uses and gets a fish on every cast and not get a bite. I would like to know though, if I was at high speed and hit something, flipped over and was knocked unconscious, that my vest would auto inflate.

I have the Onyx. AM-24? Maybe. It has, like most others, an auto inflate, a "rip cord", and a tube. The recharge kit is the same as the BPS auto inflatables. And costs around $21. The PFD was around $130, so I have it and three extra recharge kits.

And. Yep. They work! Lol. Tested mine. I do not leave the charge kit connected when I'm not fishing. I simply disconnect the canister. Then no accidental discharges. The little window has the green/red indicator for when I will forget.

I'm going to try the new Mustang one, again.

A couple years ago I had one and scared the [censored] out of me when I had thrown it in bottom of boat and had some waves come over trolling.

I then bought a recharge kit and gave up after 3 minutes, never got around to trying again to reload. I wasn't feeling particularly patient at the time, so sure they aren't that bad to reload.

I can't really 'justify' changing from my Cabelas brand but, I see a LOT more of the Mustang HIT's being used. Has to be for a good reason.
Sure isn't the price! Darn Mustang PFD is $200 or more...
God Bless

I just wear a normal life jacket and take off after killing the big motor, most of the time I don't wear one only If it's non tournmanet fishing, I had autoflatable one, don't remember brand, was up front fishing and it went off by itself, scared the [censored] out of me. Never wore once since.

Bass Pro has the Mustang HIT on SALE for under $200. And if you are military - I think you can also get the 10% discount on top of this price. I'm going to get one today - after the roads clear.

We run boats that cost 50k+, have thousands of dollars in tackle,rods and reels, have electronics that cost thousands and we all cringe at the price of a $250 PFD....
Sounds kind of silly when you think of it in that perspective doesn't it?

I use the Mustang HIT. I wear it all the time in the summer. Like John mentioned, I wear the full vest in the winter.

Well a down side is having them blow up on ur partner when you soak him after you spear a wave hahaha

Also downside is TPWD does not consider it a legal safety vest unless you are wearing it. So if ur fishing with it off and they stop you then can write you a ticket.

Yeah it kinda scares you when your not expecting it!!

Not if you carry the approved vest with you.