Future Sidemounter

[TerryC]

Every diver will have their own favourite rig and you will comes across many who will say their was is the only correct way.
Remember a good diver with experience will make any rig work for them.
I am still relatively new to SM (100+dives) and it does take time to get everything dialled in correctly.
My own rig is the X Deep which can carry 2×al80 and 2x al40 easily
I like the simple design, the spine weights, the bladder system. I love the ring bungie's and I do not have to resort to putting weights on the tanks to keep them trimmed.
Having seen divers wearing them, I would avoid anything that is dual use. These hybrid systems look very bulky to me.
Keep it simple
Keep it "clean"

Sorry should have said " LOOP BUNGIES"

 

[kensuf]

I've got a Nomad LTZ, which is the forerunner for the current LS. It's been fantastic when I need to go squirreling around through small stuff in the back of Ginnie a mile from the exit, given my experiences with the previous generation, I would strongly endorse the Nomad LS.

ScubaForce is also about to release a new sidemount system called The Blade. I'm supposed to get one of the first ones being deliver to North America within a week or two. I'll be happy to share my experiences after a few dives.

 

[Mike1967]

I love the ring bungie's

Your xdeep has ring bungies?

Edit: I should have read your next post lol

 

[WarrenZ]

Your xdeep has ring bungies?

Edit: I should have read your next post lol

Mine does but I had to add them myself and I have been accused of being weird.

I like having a solid attachment when I am on the boat once I get in the water I put a wrap of the bungie around the valve to hold it in position

 

[Searcaigh]

but see sooo many of them for sale on EBay

A lot of people buy dive gear only to find out it doesn't work for them.

If it's cheap enough buy it, then if you don't like it sell it on e-bay.

 

[rddvet]

Depends on the Nomad. I personally think DR should stop calling them all Nomad xx. As Ken said, the LS is really good. My wife loves her. It does have some limitations. Not as easy as the stealth for adding weight, and the buttplate is "floating" on the waistband. On a small person like my wife, that means the entire buttplate shifts badly to one side when the first tank is clipped on. The old Nomads aren't worth the money. So many people had to add shoulder weights or modify them so much to work right, they're just not worth buying for a new SM diver.

I would go with the Stealth hands down. It's a do-all system. I've had the classic and the tec. Stick with the tec. The classic is nice and I still have mine, I just never use it because I like the all in one design of the tec better.

 

[kelemvor]

hello guys and gals,

I’m thinking that next year I’m going to make the jump into sidemount for some deep wreck and cavern dives. I’m leaning towards the Dive Rite Nomad, but see sooo many of them for sale on EBay it makes me think they are not up to snuff. So with that said, what input do you guys have for sidemount set ups. What’s good, what’s bad, etc. Before this particular topic gets brought up, No... I’m not interested in Backmount doubles. Thanks all!

Zack

I've got a nomad (actually two, since I found one cheap as you obviously have and wanted a backup). It's great for big steel tanks in caves. If you're diving aluminum, or there are other considerations, it might not be the bcd for you. This is often a very tall order, but.. see if you can arrange to try one or two different sidemount bcd's. Even then you might not like any of them as they take a little time to get trimmed out.

 

[MichaelMc]

@rddvet, a bonus of the Stealth classic over the tec would seem to be easier packing for travel, given the tec's plastic sheet in the wing outer center surface. As you have both, if you were trying to travel with just carryon for some warm water dives, would you pack the classic or, I assume check, the tec? Would you feel like you gave up much in-water performance with the classic? For moderate gas/cylinder loads. I like my stealth tec, just curious about travel options.

This goes to tbone's point to drive to some place with several to try. Though that might be challenging to assimilate as a complete sidemount novice.

 

[Mike1967]

Mine does but I had to add them myself and I have been accused of being weird.

How rude

I like having a solid attachment when I am on the boat once I get in the water I put a wrap of the bungie around the valve to hold it in position

You can do the same thing with a double ender clipped to a choker, then unclip in when you get in the water.

 

[rddvet]

@rddvet, a bonus of the Stealth classic over the tec would seem to be easier packing for travel, given the tec's plastic sheet in the wing outer center surface. As you have both, if you were trying to travel with just carryon for some warm water dives, would you pack the classic or, I assume check, the tec? Would you feel like you gave up much in-water performance with the classic? For moderate gas/cylinder loads. I like my stealth tec, just curious about travel options.

This goes to tbone's point to drive to some place with several to try. Though that might be challenging to assimilate as a complete sidemount novice.

The classic is definitely a better travel rig. The tec doesn't fold up as small,but it's still not bad. I had an SMS100 for a few years and it sucked to travel with, though we did make it to the caves in France with it (once). That trip is what made me move to a stealth.

I do prefer the tec in-water as well. With heavy steels and stages the classic wing was very full. Not a beach ball like you see on the Razor, but definitely full. The tec is never as full. I plan to keep my classic for al80 diving and use the tec for steel diving.