BCD that can do both sidemount and backmount?

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fuzzybabybunny

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Messages
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Location
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100 - 199
I'm totally new to sidemount and was wondering if there is a BCD that can do sidemount for solo dives and also be converted to do backmount singles for buddy dives?

Or is this something that you can DIY yourself? I've got a Zeagle Express Tech so maybe I can rig it for sidemount?
 
why would you not juts dive sidemount with a buddy? If using al80's, it's super easy to single tank sidemount....

Rigs that will accept a single tank on the back, in order of my personal preference
Armadillo
Dive Rite Nomad XT
Hollis SMS75
Hollis SMS100-don't buy that, the SMS75 is the 100 but fixed

I may have missed one, but don't think so. If you are adamant about strapping one to your back, go with one of those
 
Holy crap... It never occurred to me that you could single tank sidemount. How do you deal with balance issues when you've got a negatively bouyant full tank on just one side that turns ass-up positive when close to empty?
 
Holy crap... It never occurred to me that you could single tank sidemount. How do you deal with balance issues when you've got a negatively bouyant full tank on just one side that turns ass-up positive when close to empty?

the same way we deal with 2, 3, 4, 6 of those same tanks when doing stage/deco dives? With AL80's I don't bother doing anything. With steel tanks, most people just put a 4lb weight that they are already using for ballast on their right hip and it balances out. I.e. if you need say 12lbs of lead total, instead of 6lbs on each side, you'd have all 8 on the right and 4 on the left.

From 2009, and Steve wasn't the first one doing it. This is aluminum, so no weight bias with this configuration
 
I normally don't have to change anything from regular sidemount to sidemount single. It doesn't throw my balance off much with
al80's
 
I normally don't have to change anything from regular sidemount to sidemount single. It doesn't throw my balance off much with
al80's
That works most times for me too.

If I care about stationary trim (photography ) I wear a 2lbs weight on a weight belt and rotate it mid dive to adjust the counterbalance. Suck in my gut, rotate weight from left to right, breath normally again.

In direct answer to your question: I've successfully used the armadillo backmount and it isn't horrible.
 
I'm totally new to sidemount and was wondering if there is a BCD that can do sidemount for solo dives and also be converted to do backmount singles for buddy dives?

Or is this something that you can DIY yourself? I've got a Zeagle Express Tech so maybe I can rig it for sidemount?

I have a nomad xt side mount- its better as a cold water bcd - I have used hot for sidemount steel sidemount (no problem) ali 80 ( not so good but works ) twins (no problem) twins with stages deco etc (no problem) you can get tank straps and dive it as a single on your back ( as opposed to one the side) ive heard you can bolt a ccr to it but could be wrong on that
 
Ive been doing some research on the same question. The single sidemount is an easy way to go. Also ive seen some other options i like, but as a disclaimer have not tried either personally.

A). Ive been contemplating one of these for my bp/w OMS Side Mount Rec Adapter

B). Ive come across pictures of recreational sidemounting with al40s. looks incredably streamlined, and remains redundant.
 
You can use a backplate and wing for sidemount. Checkout the Tody system. It isn't great for really small stuff but most people don't dive small so it will work.
 
As with anything else in diving, dual purpose items usually don't work particular well in any single purpose. I would day just get a dedicated setup for side mount, and one for back mount.
 

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