Sidemounts

[CWSWine]

I have been kick around the idea of going to side mounts not because I plan on doing cave diving but because I have a bad back and it’s not getting any better with age. I have looked at the Armadillo, Nomad and the Oxycheq Recon but they are all very nice and expensive. I already own a Transpac with a Travel Wing and Rec Wing and it looks like it can be converted to a side mount using the Dive Rite butt plate and bungees. Has any tried this? How would the wing attach to the Transpac with side mount tanks only? It seems like the wing would like big angle wings with just a little air in the wing.


Dive Rite Nomad Buttplate and Bungees reviews and discounts, Dive Rite

[Scuba Pete]

I beleive IN_Cavediver has a transpac setup as a sidemount config. He also has the nomad. He also converted a ranger to do it as well, though it didnt work that well. He said the nomad is a much better solution. I beleive that there is the Razor manufactored by Steve Bogaerts out there as well.

[scubadiver888]

Originally Posted by Scuba Pete

I beleive IN_Cavediver has a transpac setup as a sidemount config. He also has the nomad. He also converted a ranger to do it as well, though it didnt work that well. He said the nomad is a much better solution. I beleive that there is the Razor manufactored by Steve Bogaerts out there as well.

Steve Bogaerts doesn't seem to have anything readily available just yet. He set up a website: Go Side Mount - Steve Bogaerts with information about the Razor plus a place you can put your name on a mailing list (he'll send more information directly to you when it becomes available0.

[Scuba Pete]

Ah i didnt know that.

[navyhmc]

There's a new dedicated Sidemount BC at Capatin John's (Oronogo) looks very good-it's even dual bladder. I don't remember who makes it, sorry. John is also a PADI sidemount instructor as well as instructor trainer.

[Scuba Pete]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

There's a new dedicated Sidemount BC at Capatin John's (Oronogo) looks very good-it's even dual bladder. I don't remember who makes it, sorry. John is also a PADI sidemount instructor as well as instructor trainer.

I know the nomad comes in the dual bladder flavor.
SCUBA Diving Equipment for Technical, Wreck and Cave Diving: Dive Rite, Inc - Product Catalog - Nomad Complete w/Dual Bladder

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by Scuba Pete

I beleive IN_Cavediver has a transpac setup as a sidemount config. He also has the nomad. He also converted a ranger to do it as well, though it didnt work that well. He said the nomad is a much better solution. I beleive that there is the Razor manufactored by Steve Bogaerts out there as well.

I ruled the Razor out since it has only 6.6lbs of lift and I would like to dive steel tanks and would be more comfortable diving with little more lift then that. Looks like you can purchase them buy hitting the purchase icon under "The Razor Harness" for $260 or $290.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

There's a new dedicated Sidemount BC at Capatin John's (Oronogo) looks very good-it's even dual bladder. I don't remember who makes it, sorry. John is also a PADI sidemount instructor as well as instructor trainer.

I will bet it is the one from Oxycheq, they have a single and dual bladder version. I don't think John is a DiveRite dealer.

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by CWSWine

I have been kick around the idea of going to side mounts not because I plan on doing cave diving but because I have a bad back and it’s not getting any better with age. I have looked at the Armadillo, Nomad and the Oxycheq Recon but they are all very nice and expensive. I already own a Transpac with a Travel Wing and Rec Wing and it looks like it can be converted to a side mount using the Dive Rite butt plate and bungees. Has any tried this? How would the wing attach to the Transpac with side mount tanks only? It seems like the wing would like big angle wings with just a little air in the wing.


Dive Rite Nomad Buttplate and Bungees reviews and discounts, Dive Rite

Mind you - I have the nomad wing which is a bit differntly shaped but it ought to be similar. In my case, the wing goes inside the transpac rather than outside. the softpac itself helps keep the wing in line. It attached to the softpac with sex bolts on the grommets as well as to the waist strap. Between those items, it stays down and tight very nicely. I'll try to get some pix of my rig and post them.

If you are serious about this - call Bill Rennaker at Cave Excursions. He can get you everything you need to make your transpac sidemount ready. He spent the better part of a morning with my wife and I tweaking our gear for it. He can also speak more on the suitability of your existing wings and what you might run into.

I don't claim to be an expert - just starting out in the sidemount area myself. I did take a class (NSS-CDS) on it though and I am glad I did. It really eased some of the learning curve for rigging and getting comfortable. (plus it was 4 dives with a good instructor)