Nomad bungie modification

[phillip1]

I dive an Armadillo and really like how the tank bungees work, I was playing around with Thomas' Nomad today and tried just making a 11" loop of regular 1/8 bungee (the same I use with the dillo) and tied it to the same place as the regular Nomad bungee. It works great really easy to put on & off, nothing to clip, no problem retrieving the bungee if it comes off and super easy to install. I think it's way better than the original nomad bungee system it pulls the tanks nice and horizontal to the body and feel very comfortable. It also pulls the wing down in the exact same way as the original bungee.

[chimie007]

Sounds similar to what I have setup on my SM rig. I really like it.

[phillip1]

exactly only I just tied a loop direct to the small back dring comes out to the same as yours but looks way less professional, I used 1/8 bungee the same as with the Armadillo. I find it infinitely better this way, not sure about why Diverite sells the Nomad with the bungees and the clip, it just makes it that much more complicated, and the tanks do not a frame with the loops any more than with the original bungees.

[phillip1]

how did you tie the bungee loop to the webbing?

[chimie007]

how did you tie the bungee loop to the webbing?

I got it like that used from someone along with some "tea cup" attachment instead of a butt plate and an old rec wing.... the bungees are sewed into tubular webbing. Each side is its own and the two webbing strips are attached together with a triglide. I wouldn't be surprised if it was made by DR or some company before the armadillo or nomad were around.

[Bermujan]

Your webbungees look great!

I had my share of troubles with the Nomad bungees as well....more than a few times I crushed my fingers under the bolt snap so quickly gave up on passing it around the tank valve before clipping to D-ring.

Less hardware is always better in my books so I took off the bungees and associated quick-links/bolt snaps and replaced them with the same length of new 3/8" bungee from chest D-ring to the same little D-ring on the back of the wing - no hardware. Secured the bungee using the same wire crimps and protective sleeving from the original Diverite bungees.

Now it's very slick, quick and easy to pop the bungee over the valve knob / 1st stage.

I also decided to eliminate those quick-connect plastic fasteners in the shoulder straps below the shoulder D-rings by having a length of 1.5" webbing sewn in their place. It's just a little less unnecessary bulk and clutter and they were of no use to me.

Bruce

[phillip1]

In addition to the bungee mods, I think that if you swap the inflator hose & put it on the bottom and the dump valve on the shoulder it works much better, also take out the shoulder pads & back pad.
I have attached a pic of the bungees I use, I have tried it out in very rough conditions and it works great, if the loop comes off you can reach back and get it very easily, I don't use retrieval snaps but I can reach behind my back if you cannot then you can use retrieval snaps.
After trying out both the Armadillo & Nomad extensively I actually like the Nomad better, it feels more comfortable for me.
I dove a tight cave this week end and thought it would get caught more than the Dillo but it works just as well and with the bungees like that I like it better than the Armadillo

[NorthWoodsDiver]

I dive cold water with dry gloves and found both systems (dillo and nomad) a bit hard to use and I disliked the A-frame issue I got with the nomad bungees. I'm sure I could have messed with different lengths to get better results but I watched one of Steve Bogaert's clips on Youtube and ended up trying to mimic what he had but with my nomad.

here is the clip, see if you get the idea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDp58Wrz4Uk

I used 5/16" bungee and it works great. I can feel the thicker bungee with my gloves yet I dont need a string to retrieve the bungee. Getting into and out of the rig is simple. The tanks dont A-frame, putting on the tanks was a cinch. I have no complaints.

I don't want to steal his thunder though by taking pictures.

Eventually I plan to buy a razor but I already had the nomad and I have pretty much changed everything on it. When it dies a razor will be my next rig or if I come into the cash before it dies then this thing will be on ebay.

T

[Dsix36]

I have a foolish question for you guys. Do you dive strictly in the caves or do you jump off boats too? I am asking because I am having problems seeing how that 1/8" bungie would hold a tank long enough to get to the back of a boat.

I don't dive sidemount, but I attempt it with the bailout for my rebreather.

Humor me!

[phillip1]

I dive boats allot in the ocean too, I put the tanks on in the water and hand them up when I get back it is super easy.

[phillip1]

I dive cold water with dry gloves and found both systems (dillo and nomad) a bit hard to use and I disliked the A-frame issue I got with the nomad bungees. I'm sure I could have messed with different lengths to get better results but I watched one of Steve Bogaert's clips on Youtube and ended up trying to mimic what he had but with my nomad.

here is the clip, see if you get the idea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDp58Wrz4Uk

I used 5/16" bungee and it works great. I can feel the thicker bungee with my gloves yet I dont need a string to retrieve the bungee. Getting into and out of the rig is simple. The tanks dont A-frame, putting on the tanks was a cinch. I have no complaints.

I don't want to steal his thunder though by taking pictures.

Eventually I plan to buy a razor but I already had the nomad and I have pretty much changed everything on it. When it dies a razor will be my next rig or if I come into the cash before it dies then this thing will be on ebay.

T

Can you post some pics of your modified Nomad? that would be cool, thanks.

[phillip1]

I think I get it, is it one continuous piece of bungee that goes from one side to the other and then clips to the dring?

[NorthWoodsDiver]

I think I get it, is it one continuous piece of bungee that goes from one side to the other and then clips to the dring?

yup the bungee is attached at the back on my left side, goes under the armpit and around the back of the neck and back under the right armpit. Through the little Dring on my right side and down to the rails or any other place I want to clip it off. I dont know what the length is off hand but it is one continuous piece.

[FW]

The biggest issue I have with smaller bungee is for scootering. They weaker bungee allows the tanks to splay outward at the top, and act as a brake for the scooter.

[phillip1]

yup the bungee is attached at the back on my left side, goes under the armpit and around the back of the neck and back under the right armpit. Through the little Dring on my right side and down to the rails or any other place I want to clip it off. I dont know what the length is off hand but it is one continuous piece.
The bungee goes over the wing at the back not under the wing like the Armadillo right?

[NorthWoodsDiver]

correct but you could do either.

I've decided to modify this so its just one continuous loop without the snap attached to the rails.

the only problem I see is if I should need to cut a bungee or one were to break then the valve of both thanks will want to drop which would require both my arms to support. That would leave me unable to work a reel or spool or scootor or...

[aainslie]

I cured that by using two thinner pieces of bungee. If one breaks, the second acts as a backup.

[FW]

I cured that by using two thinner pieces of bungee. If one breaks, the second acts as a backup.
I do the same thing.

[stairman]

That you-tube of Steve sliding thru the portholes is sweet. Im wondering when unclipping like that and pushing them forward if the bungees would come off the knob or would wrapping the whole valve be better?

[J-u-n-i-o-R]

I have a foolish question for you guys. Do you dive strictly in the caves or do you jump off boats too? I am asking because I am having problems seeing how that 1/8" bungie would hold a tank long enough to get to the back of a boat.

I don't dive sidemount, but I attempt it with the bailout for my rebreather.

Humor me!
Hi Dsix36!
I usualy do all my SM dives in open water and i can't assemble they in water couse sea is pretty rough down here in SW Brazil.
I solved this problem attaching a boltsnap cave line tied to the tank's neck. this holds the tank in place, whitout stress to much the bungees, untill i get in the water and once in water the bungee do their work getting the tank against my body.
Best,
Ivan Pierozzi Jr

[stairman]

So once in the water do you leave them clipped off or unclip and just use the bungees? Im thinking it wouldnt matter either way.

[FW]

So once in the water do you leave them clipped off or unclip and just use the bungees? Im thinking it wouldnt matter either way.
It might help to quote the person you are asking. this thread is 3 pages long :-)

[mdax]

Since the Nomad is trimmed out perfectly it was clear i needed to modify the rig again. I've been using a 6.5 farmer john and using 3#'s on the shoulders, but that seems to add unnecessary weight. I'll be trying the ridiculously high band height next trip.
Removed the strap padding/trap crinking devices, reduced the weight to 1#, changed from bungies to one shock cord
Each time i remove something i like the nomad more.
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g236/mdavid01/NomadFront.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g236/mdavid01/NomadBack.jpg