I have had my inflatable now for 4 years. I always thought it was a manual when I bought it, as there was a pull tag. Then one day I laied it on my seat of the toon. This one morning, I just lifted the toon to put it in the water to get on way. The vest slide off into the water. Next thing I hear is pisssssss. It hit the water and deployed. This thing gets huge. When wearing it,you don't even know you you have it on. It interferes with no moving about. No restriction at all. I have even got into the truck after a fish and realize later, I still had it on.
I see these units go from $85 (on sale ) up to $200 or so. May not be cheap to some,but what is a life worth? I am not preaching here, ( have had my close call in life and got lucky ) You wont be seeing me without a PFD on .