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I've had the opportunity to do some sidemount diving lately and it is pretty cool.
I've been diving a really old rig that was given to me.
Starting to consider actually purchasing a rig.
Thinking I want the most streamlined, minimalist rig possible that will support me and a set of lp95s, and trims out easily.
So, what's the best sidemount rig out there?
:reelleft
What a question. Nothing fits or trims on everybody the same. I have used a Armadillo for 20 years, for me, its the best.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dominick Gheesling
The good news is that there are a thousand ways to adjust a side mount rig.
The bad news is that there are a thousand ways to adjust a side mount rig.
What works for me will probably not work for you. I had to buy 3 rigs to get it right. BUT the good news is there is a lot of very good condition used equipment for sale on this board.
The minimalistic end probably starts with Steve Bogart's Razor. Not an advertisement, I've never used it. Just sayin.
I like my Nomad LS - it's toward the smaller and more streamlined end of the spectrum, is very adjustable, and handles 95's and a stage easily. I've also dove it with Al80's and had no difficulties. But as pointed out in the previous posts, YMMV. I have tried only three sidemount rigs, so my experience is limited.
Choosing a rig is complicated by the fact that having it optimally adjusted for you is just as much a factor as the rig itself. Even if you had the opportunity to try a wide variety of rigs, you'd have to tweak each one, preferably with the assistance of a knowledgeable fitter and mentor, and do several dives in it to get an accurate appreciation of it. The good news is that when properly adjusted, they all work at least OK.
If you're new to sidemount, taking a sidemount class with a good instructor or at least finding a mentor to help you get squared away is highly useful. My wife and I tried to teach ourselves sidemount for several months and thought we were doing well. Then we took a class, and made more progress on trim and comfort in a day than we had in four months on our own.
Mike
Have to agree with Morgan. Class makes it so much easier.
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I use an older Nomad XT and like it for most sump diving. I removed a box full of parts off of it and I have found it to be durable and it works well for me on most any tank configuration.
I had a Razor early on but found it hard to don in restrictive cave passages and way too fussy. In a tight passage less than three feet high I can slide into the Nomad, roll over, and do it up.
For exploration sump diving way back after dry caving into sump passage, my rig of choice is likely to be a loop of bungy loaded with weights around the shoulders with a weight belt with some D rings. No bcd.
It took me ages to get squared away in sidemount. As others have suggested having knowledgeable assistance for the fine points of making the many fine adjustments for weight placement, loop length and tank band placements, will both save time and have you enjoying it sooner.
Right now you?re best options in my opinion are the xdeep or katana 2. I prefer the stealth. It has its pros and cons compared to the katana 2 but thats all sidemount. Personally I would make an appointment with marissa or draker and they?ll fit you for an xdeep and I think can also do demo dives. I?m partial to the xdeep but I?m also biased because I?ve been diving them since the classic stealth came out.
I?m typically against anything hollis but after diving rhe katana 2 for 4 days I was impressed. But its also a significant rip off of the stealth.
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What did Mike Mc used to say? Ask ten sidemounters, get eleven different answers.
Yup. He was right!Quote:
Originally Posted by Sludge
It may be even worse than that. Ask one sidemounter the same question ten times and you might get eleven different answers.
I'd go see if you can spend a day with Marissa and check out an x-deep.
I agree!!Quote:
Originally Posted by kensuf
Really like my Katana 2 - one of my main cave buddies just got the Katana 2 and likes it as well, she was diving an XDeep Rec and needed more lift with steel tanks (Rec version has #25 lift, Tec has #40). I really like the inclusion of the shoulder dump on the Katana 2, whereas the XDeep just has the rear dump as the only option.
One unmentioned piece to technical cave sidemount diving is that if your using twin high volume steel cylinders you should probably be in a drysuit. That said buoyancy will be managed by the drysuit and the wings used for emergency use due to a drysuit failure.
Get sound firsthand advise from a knowledgeable Florida instructor and you won?t go wrong.
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What?Quote:
Originally Posted by DogDiver
I don't do this... what is the rationale for using your drysuit as your primary buoyancy control device vs. the wing/sidemount bcd?Quote:
Originally Posted by DogDiver
Uhhh. Do what? I?ll use my drysuit for aome minor things like get air to my feet or something but to use it as your primary source or buoyancy over your wing?Quote:
Originally Posted by DogDiver
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I bought a new drysuit and so I happened to read a si tech valve manual lately. It also recommended to use the drysuit as your primary source of buoyancy but it also said you have to be weighted perfectly. With big twin steels, not many folks are going to be weighted perfectly.
Well if you're weighted perfectly, you only need to compensate for the suit, so you could just keep it minimally inflated. I don't however know how you'll keep your perfect weight while your tanks are draining.
I've heard that compensation with the suit only is taught for beginner divers to prevent task loading and prevent loss of control when ascending. Though if said diver gets inverted and traps air in the legs, inflating the suit only will make it far worse.