I'm moving to sidemount this spring from backmount doubles primarily as an additional safety factor while solo diving along with the other benefits sidemount provides. In my sidemount class, I tried several setups and prefer the simplicity of the Mexican style. The conventional wisdom online points to an XDeep sidemount setup. But should I get the Classic or the Tec?
Nearly all my dives are done in a drysuit. While the majority of my dives are recreational, I do enough technical diving to need the capacity to carry one or two deco/stage bottles at times. With my LP 85 doubles I intend to break up for sidemount, I'm currently using a 6 lb steel backplate and an additional 5 lbs of trim weight for buoyancy. That's with a shell drysuit and Weezle Extreme+ undergarments. It looks like the Classic can handle four tanks and has adequate lift while also being more compact. So I'm wondering why the Tec version seems to be much more popular instead. Should I focus on the Classic or the Tec?
Completely unrelated sidemount question for anyone with XS Scuba UFO float: Can it carry two LP 85 tanks for shore dives involving longer walks out in the water before diving depth is reached?
Nearly all my dives are done in a drysuit. While the majority of my dives are recreational, I do enough technical diving to need the capacity to carry one or two deco/stage bottles at times. With my LP 85 doubles I intend to break up for sidemount, I'm currently using a 6 lb steel backplate and an additional 5 lbs of trim weight for buoyancy. That's with a shell drysuit and Weezle Extreme+ undergarments. It looks like the Classic can handle four tanks and has adequate lift while also being more compact. So I'm wondering why the Tec version seems to be much more popular instead. Should I focus on the Classic or the Tec?
Completely unrelated sidemount question for anyone with XS Scuba UFO float: Can it carry two LP 85 tanks for shore dives involving longer walks out in the water before diving depth is reached?