sidemount rig opinions as we near end of 2010

[whodunit68]

I saw a few posts about the Hollis but they're dated. I suspect either there are very few questions or not a lot of people have them.
I used a Nomad for a short while before leaving the country so I sold it. so, I'm considerting a SM rig.
There are now quite a few out there, even some options (EXP versus non).
What are you using and how is it holding up? What's the best rig for the type of diving you're doing?
There's the Armadillo, The Nomad EXP, Nomad, Hollis, Razor, OMS, Recon(s), and maybe I missed one or three.
For my personal purposes, I'm not sure the lighter weight rig(s) will work since I go to Florida and will travel to other areas where larger tanks are needed. But I'm still interested.
It would be great to hear your opinions and how you're using it.
Thanks.

[adam0321]

I wanted to buy a recon but they feel flimsy compared to the nomad. I hate to jump on the train and dive a nomad just like everyone else in cave country but then again if that many people are doing it something must be there right??

[mstueven]

Razor might be cool to try with AL80's. Couple guys I know really like the Hollis.

But, I followed the bandwagon. I dive a Nomad.

[DeepSea]

So what type of "sidemount" diving are you looking to do? Are you looking solely to dive big cave but don't want backmount or are you looking to dig? Your answer should play a part in your decision. Since I only dive the Armadillo I can only give you that view. My wife dives a Nomad (because the Armadillo was too long -- I think Jakub has 2 sizes now). I can tell you that I would not want to dive it. It is too big (for me and what I enjoy) and too much going on (why did they do it this way?).

OK, my perspective is generally from an exploration aspect -- some big cave, some small...In all not knowing what to expect. The Armadillo is a much more streamlined rig than the others (IMO) -- the wing is much smaller (27# vs Nomad 55#). Personally, I have never had an issue with lift. If I am planning on doing a long swim dive at the Nest with multiple stages, I dive backmount. Also, the tanks are bungied (unless you are Eric) and there are no bolt snaps to deal with. Seriously think about where your LP corrugated hose is going (top or bottom). Depending on your diving, you may not want much on your shoulders. Also, mini d-rings all over the place? I could never figure that out. My reels go on a 3rd rail on my butt plate. Also, my Aramdillo is rigged like a harness -- shoulder straps are restrained between the wing grommets. This allows me to use some utilize a hip d-ring + chest d-ring for staging (I never liked the "toss it over your shoulder" technique). I also dive with my light can on my waist. I just don't dig the butt mounting thing. However, some would say God intended sidemount divers to butt mount their lights and ride on top of their scooters (that's another thread though).

Don't kid yourself, if you get an Armadillo spend the time to tweak it. Once you get it where you like it, don't sell it to someone because you extra weight allowances on a plane! Trust me on that, you new Aramdillo will never be like your first I use the Armadillo for sidemount (normally 85s but have used 104s, with a stage and an O2 bottle). I also use the Armadillo with my KISS (breather on my back, offboard diluent in sidemounted 85s).

With all that said, I have seen some GREAT rigs made from old STAB jackets!

[DeepSea]

I wanted to buy a recon but they feel flimsy compared to the nomad. I hate to jump on the train and dive a nomad just like everyone else in cave country but then again if that many people are doing it something must be there right??

If all you are doing is moving your tanks from your back to your sides, the Nomad probably isn't a bad choice. From what I can tell, that is what most people have done. Given that, they would probably be buying Nomads.

[whodunit68]

you're right - I left that part out (about my goals). This is part the research (fact, opinion, experience) and part time to start seriously thinking about it for me as a tool. To be perfectly honest, diving backmount to me was easier than sidemount. Backmount you load'm up and carry 'm down. Sidemount is more of a process *for me*. I used to carry both tanks down to the water together anyway. I got out of the water usually fully kitted up. This is not a long history but the short time I sidemounted.

I'm not small and thin enough (unfortunately not close) to crawl around in really tight passage. However, as many others have noted, there's some great stuff out there that I'd love to be able to start to see such as what Brian is doing in the Bahamas. I believe sidemount will be a tool for me, not the every day. I see all the discussions around OW, etc, and maybe, maybe not. For now, I'm looking at it for use in tighter passages (though I'll dive the big caves now to learn the gear).
My intent was to get feedback on the rigs but you're right, the why matters. I'd be interested in others "whys." Thanks.

[saxplayer1004]

I went with a Nomad original because I have a real long torso and the others weren't long enough for me. I ended up using an XL-Tall Transpac, which fits perfectly for me. I don't have any problems with the wing being too large, but where I put the shoulder straps on the waist belt, the wing retainer is actually inside of a slide lock so it stays tucked it. This restricts a lot of it's lift abilities, but it keeps it nice and tucked in for me. I dive fairly close to neutral, usually within a pound or two heavy from my tanks, so there is very rarely an air in there. My shoulders and chest are too large for me to a lot of the real right pushes, but for me it was a life decision based on my knees

[phillip1]

I have dove the nomad and armadillo extensively, of the two i think the dillo is much better better, and much more streamlined.
having said that i find the razor is far superior to both of the above, way more streamlined and efficiant you get way better trim, in fact everything about it is far better.
i dive exclusively al tanks and do everything from single tank boat dives to cave exploration both really big and really small.
i have no idea about the razor and steel tanks.
My advice would be if you are hesitating between the three get a razor without hesitating, if you are hesitating between a nomad or armadillo get an armadillo it is much better than the nomad.
the nomad exp is imho totally useless the wing is way too big not streamlined at all and flaps around too much, even after extensive mods it is still not very streamlined and really defeats the purpose of SM.

[HeloDriver]

I dive the Hollis SMS100 and love it. I have dove it with AL80's doing expedition work in Mexico and 108 pst's in Florida.

[CaveBuddy95]

Hi Charles,
I'm interested in the Hollis harness as it is. Have you done many modifications on it to get it where you wanted?
I'm thinking, bungee, extra d-rings etc..
Thanks for any input on that.