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Hmmm...I'm pretty set on using ProTec for training, but I'm heading up the Horseshoe bay next month to dive, so I'll be sure to talk to the folks a Sea Dragon about who dives SM there; maybe I'll find some new buddies :)

I'm down near Vancouver, so almost to Oregon. And yes, without helium I'm stuck at the shallow end of deep diving :( Even with Extended Range being a viable class, I don't relish the notion of being that narced at 180fsw. Provided I can get my hands on some helium, what constituted 'a...

Thanks, I just placed an order for HP117's with my local shop, so I will have some steels to play with. There aren't too many SM instructors up here that I've found, but I'm getting to know a couple of tec divers who use the Stealth, so hopefully they will be willing to let me tag along on a...

It's mostly a matter of preference, I think. In my case I am also right-handed, have my computer on my right wrist, and just keep the light on my right hand the entire dive (exception being when I need to access my right pocket, then the light gets clipped off while still burning.)

To the OP: I can vouch for the build quality of the Apeks WTX and do travel with it, but it's admittedly heavy and if I were to buy again I would look into xDeep's line of BP/W's, probably the Ghost.

Sorry, honest question, but apart from remembering to thread the crotch strap (yes, I looked silly on that first dive), what is difficult about a PB/W? I found my Apeks WTX to be an immediate improvement over the jacket BCD I certified on.

+1 for primary on a chest D-ring, spare in a pocket. If I'm not using my camera, my primary is on my hand (Goodman style grip.) Great for signaling buddies :)

Based on all of your thoughts, I am opting to return to Protec in Spring 2021 for AN/DP. As many of you have pointed out, expecting an equivalent level of training from an instructor who doesn't dive sidemount is unreasonable on my part, and I really ought to get in a good number of practice...

xDeep Stealth 2.0. Given their affinity for it, it's one of the reasons I chose Protec.

Yes, Sidemount and Cavern are the starting point of true technical diving for me. Up until now it's been cold water diving with a drysuit and pony bottle, so not easy tropical stuff, but definitely also not tec diving. As sidemount will be my primary style from this point onward, that 10%...

Hi Folks, As I prepare to step into the realm if tec diving I am budgeting both time and money for the journey. I will complete TDI/PSAI sidemount and cavern in a few months, so the next logical step in my mind (apart from getting dives in the new configuration) is AN/DP. The question is...

Actually have an AL40 as a pony already! Since I'm presently diving a single tank, I like knowing I can take my time in the event of a serious gas failure.

Given what I've learned so far, it sounds like I should contain my enthusiasm and hold off from buying anything right now, get through training, pick up some AL80's, and rent a bunch of different steels from the shop before committing to anything...i.e. I just reaffirmed I lack the necessary...

Thanks, I was thinking of the extra lead that AL require the diver to wear, as opposed to Steel, but didn't properly say so. Nonetheless, given how pro-steel most cold water divers are, it's interesting to hear a sound argument for AL.

Thanks, the picture really helps with perspective. Also, AL80's are cheap and I'll need a few for stage bottles anyway, so no money lost even if I find I want to dive something bigger sometime down the road. Also, nice trim!

Yep, I'm in WA state and dive the Puget Sound and Hood Canal :) I'm on the south end near Portland, so you being in Port Orchard makes me all kinds of jealous... Barring some type of surprise during training, I'll be diving with the add-on rails in cold water. Just curious, wouldn't a drysuit...

That's simple enough, I get 31" for me, so now I have a reference point, which is really helpful. I'm also pretty sure my shop won't do cave fills unless it's the owner, which I can't count on being available. Also, I should have mentioned in the original post that I will be doing some deco...

Hi folks, I've posed this question to my instructor as well, but I have the chance to pick up some used tanks (pairs of LP95's and 108's) and as I have not gone through training on the xdeep stealth yet, I don't want get excited and buy tanks that won't trim well for me. Is there a way I could...

Thanks for all the suggestions. If I can't make one of those work, I'm clearly doing something very, very wrong :P I think I'll give the OMS buckle a shot first.

Hi Folks, I'm switching things up on my Apeks BP/W for warm water and changing to OMS vertical pockets since I don't need 20lbs. of lead in the tropics. However, I dive cave-style with a 7ft hose tucked under my canister light, and with the smaller pockets it will be able to travel on the...