BCD that can do both sidemount and backmount?

[tbone1004]

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.

need a second backplate. Super useful for cold water diving because you can double up thick SS plates which is nice. Not a great tool for true sidemount squeezy stuff, but it works pretty darned good for bigger stuff

 

[Pedro Burrito]

I have a Dive Rite Nomad XT with a double bladder. You can use it for backmount, sidemount and rebreather. It was very expensive and I rarely use it. I was convinced to purchase it by a former Dive Rite employee and I regret the purchase. I still use it for sidemount but I would prefer the Xdeep stealth 2.0 Tec rig for sidemount and a BP&W for backmount.

 

[decompression]

There are a couple of wings/rigs that can do both, but really when you’re switching back and forth it’s such a hassle that sooner or later 2 dedicated systems find there way into your gear.

 

[PML_318]

just an idea, just place a small donut wing (maybe ≤ 20lb) horizontally and wrap it around your torso with bungee straps and you will have yourself a sidemount wing, brilliant?

 

[stretchthepenn]

Hollis SMS75
Hollis SMS100-don't buy that, the SMS75 is the 100 but fixed

I largely agree, but the 100D has the advantage of being double-bladder, and if you get Edd Sorenson to do his namesake mods on the unit, you can get some nifty upgrades.

 

[tbone1004]

I largely agree, but the 100D has the advantage of being double-bladder, and if you get Edd Sorenson to do his namesake mods on the unit, you can get some nifty upgrades.

many arguments against the dual bladder as being advantageous, but to each his own.

 

[athigunk]

There are a couple of wings/rigs that can do both, but really when you’re switching back and forth it’s such a hassle that sooner or later 2 dedicated systems find there way into your gear.

+1 on getting two dedicated rigs. If $ is your concern, here this out: Dive Rite nomad XT will cost you $839. You can get an extremely good-value $349 bp/w set from DGX and maybe (if you can find some good deal) you can spend $4-500 on xDeep stealth 2.0 and end up around the same price. You can even go Razor if you prefer something US made but you will end up paying maybe $1-200 more. All in all I think it is worth it.

 

[tbone1004]

@athigunk The Razor is no longer made in the USA and hasn't been for some time.

 

[athigunk]

@athigunk The Razor is no longer made in the USA and hasn't been for some time.

That's new for me. I saw a friend posting his new RSMS black edition rig a few days ago and it says made in USA.

 

[tbone1004]

That's new for me. I saw a friend posting his new RSMS black edition rig a few days ago and it says made in USA.

they must be on a new supplier then. It went to Mexico a few years ago but must be back in the US for this iteration of it. Not a company I can really get behind for a myriad of reasons, but if anything, their wing is nowhere near as good as the xDeep. I say that owning a Razor, and not owning an xDeep....