Have you had a chance to test it yet?
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...a mini hijack here.....this whole side-mount business......while I've never actually seen anyone dive this way, one of my LDS's is all over sidemount like 'white on rice" (BTW, that LDS has a heavy tech diver orientation, and they do some very hard core tech dives sometimes)......but I'm just not seein' it? .....aside from the cavers and wreck divers who plan to try to worm through very tight passages/spaces.....where else is this 'trend' expected to take off ? I'm just not seein' liveaboards or any other traditional dive op configured to handle divers equipped this way.....I'm thinking sidemount is good for home diving where you can bring your own tanks to the site...or maybe someplace like Bonaire, where you are on your own and can gear up however, you want and for as long as it takes....but I don't see this trend taking off outside these specialized situations.
A very understandable view, and my initial reaction as well. My first thought, when I moved to it, was this will be perfect for travel to places where I cannot take my own tanks, and cannot easily get a set of backmount doubles - Bonaire and Roatan came to mind. But, as I have learned SM techniques, I see SM as having a tremendous potential across recreational, not just technical, diving. Many people never go into doubles at all because of the expense, the weight, the gear challenges (learning valve shutdowns, behind you head, etc. For them, SM is an easier, and less expensive, alternative. Can you dive single tank SM? Why not - the trim issues can be addressed, and if you are planning to dive single tank with a pony, trim is even less affected by imbalances. I have not used SM for coastal charters yet - that will come in 2010, and it may turn out that I get pushback from boat operators who are not familiar with the set up. But, as for taking time, it is easier to set up than BM, or at the very least no more time-consuming - you can set up your tanks before boarding the boat, then all you have to do is put on your exposure suit, whatever harness you're using, mask fins, do a buddy check, etc, etc., and in you go. Exiting is a whole lot eaiser - unclip the tanks and hand them up, then up the ladder without the weight. It could be that I am new enough that I haven't seen the full downside picture. And, I am certainly no expert on SM, and am just learning along with a lot of other divers. But, I see at least a chance that this will have broader application that I and others initially thought.this whole side-mount business ... I'm just not seein' it? .....aside from the cavers and wreck divers who plan to try to worm through very tight passages/spaces.....where else is this 'trend' expected to take off ? I'm just not seein' liveaboards ... I don't see this trend taking off outside these specialized situations.
Yes, tes, yes, and yes.zaberman1:I am not diving SM yet but to me, the appeal exists in the removal of the isolator and ability to have the valves up close and personal. It also seems easier on the back and may give more field of vision.
I have at least 10 dives now on my Zeagle Express Tech Modified for Sidemount and so far it has been more than serviceable. In fact, it has been fun!Have you had a chance to test it yet?
I don't think the 5/16" bungees are working out. They are just not strong enough to support the neck of the tank and they were just too low. I am going back to the 3/8" bungees on my next dive.
The wing is a bit puffy in the back. I need tabs to hold it down. I can do tabs. Otherwise, the flop over of the wing was excellent. I had far more clearance and actually bumped my head on the ceiling. The hose was far more manageable as well and I don't remember it snagging on a thing. My next dive might be at the Madison Blue Social.
I'm just not seein' liveaboards or any other traditional dive op configured to handle divers equipped this way.....
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Yesterday, I also made a dual-reg necklace just for me. I had made 6 of them before, but they were all given to peeps wanting to try them. No real feedback from anyone, so I tried one out for myself. ]