Wanted Starter sidemount rig

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

Aaaannnnd, the OP's okay with the hijack!!!
@wetb4igetinthewater has safely stolen second base. The Moderators are watching closely, but not feeling strict today.

Carry on. :)
lol. I just totally misread the post and unintentionally went OT (as compared to all the times I intentionally go OT! )
 
Hell.... with that big red font I thought I was going to get banned for just starting the thread.
 
You can get a brand new HOG sidemount BC for probably under $200. I have one lightly used one and one that’s brand new, never wet. They may not be the best in any one certain area, but they work well enough. I know a couple cave divers that have been using them for at least a year of semi regular diving.

I don’t think they make them any more, but some of us still have them.
 
If one were to say....make their own harness or buy a cheap used one, as the OP desires, what are the options for bladders that are modular [attach to any harness] that has enough lift for cold water diving [>30# of lift]?

Mods, please admonish me to the land of shame if this is a hijack...and inappropes... :)
 
If one were to say....make their own harness or buy a cheap used one, as the OP desires, what are the options for bladders that are modular [attach to any harness] that has enough lift for cold water diving [>30# of lift]?

Mods, please admonish me to the land of shame if this is a hijack...and inappropes... :)

There are two paths of travel, that I am aware of for a DIY, modular approach.

For Mexico, warm water and aluminum tanks.. there are people who have made minimalist web harnesses with a bladder or trim pillow that mounts to the lumbar region. I have even seen people who modify water bladders to add a BC inflator. A few eBay sellers have offered metal buckles and hardware to make this easier. Purchased webbing, and even seatbelt webbing sourced from junkyards have been used in the past.

I actually own an old vintage (80s era) homemade SM harness that was used by a North FL cave diver, where heavy steel tanks are the favored tools. Once again, salvaged webbing that looks like it came from an old Pinto, is very similar to a DIve Rite Nomad and sandwiches a #30 wing against the back of the diver. It used pieces of bike inner tube to keep it all streamlined.

I guess you could call this modular.

The Dive Rite Nomad system certainly is modular in that is shares the same harness and soft backplate has a TransPac. It has the added butt plate and a slightly modified wing that goes inside the harness against the diver’s back.

I find these very interesting, but you would be hard pressed to really save any money vs buying a gently used manufactured, purpose built BC.
 
I have a HOG SM BCD that I will sell...it has upgraded webbing [belt, half of the shoulder straps, tons of brand new metal HW to make it much more robust and adjustable] to alleviate the "cheap" build quality of the webbing...includes a weight plate pouch on the back, too, for up to 30lbs of lead :D

It has plenty of lift, sliding D rings, scooter ring, and extra D rings[chest strap if you want, etc]

A full SM rig for $160.00 :)

Free shipping!

PM if interested.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/peregrine/

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