Debating between Nomad Ray and Xdeep Stealth Tec 2.0

[Zues]

Hello everyone, I am currently getting into sidemount and I am debating whether the Xdeep or Nomad Ray is best for me. Currently I use an EX35 Canister light as my primary and the BCD would be used for cave diving so it would need compatibility with a butt plate for my reels and canister. I am pretty tall so I have always been a bit back heavy in water so I had someone recommending me the XDeep because it inflates more in the rear, but others said the Ray would work fine as well. I plan to use LP85 tanks and my fins are Dive Rite XTs so not too buoyant. Money is not a concern and servicing is not a concern, just the buoyancy characteristics of both.

Thanks

 

[MSargeant]

The Stealth Tec has lift more towards the bottom of the rig, but you can drop the wing on the Nomad Ray as low as you want so somewhat of a moot point. I will say the Stealth Tec looks a little more streamlined due to how the wing is designed.

Not sure why you'd need a buttplate for reels and the canister, XDeep offer a mounting option for canister batteries that threads right onto the crotch strap and Dive Rite offer a novel butterfly d ring for attaching reels and such. That being said, both rigs come with optional buttplates.

They both have the same advertised lift capacity though I believe the stealth's spine weight holds considerably more lead than the DR version, without placing extra pockets on the webbing.

I have a Stealth and am happy with it, the increased cost of the Nomad Ray due to what I imagine is due to importing to the UK puts me off acquiring one for a play. People I've spoke to/badgered at dive sites with them seem content.

 

[Zues]

Not sure why you'd need a buttplate for reels and the canister, XDeep offer a mounting option for canister batteries that threads right onto the crotch strap and Dive Rite offer a novel butterfly d ring for attaching reels and such. That being said, both rigs come with optional buttplates.

Still new to side mount so didn't know I wouldn't need a butt pack for it, thanks for letting me know (reason i assumed I did was I do not dive dry suit so I don't have pockets)

Thank you for the detailed response, I did not know you could drop the wing down on the Ray so I may go with that one, although is something similar to the storage system for the canister on the Xdeep avalible for the ray?

 

[Dsix36]

Still new to side mount so didn't know I wouldn't need a butt pack for it, thanks for letting me know (reason i assumed I did was I do not dive dry suit so I don't have pockets)

Thank you for the detailed response, I did not know you could drop the wing down on the Ray so I may go with that one, although is something similar to the storage system for the canister on the Xdeep avalible for the ray?

Dive Rite has a quick release bunge/clamp setup that will work for the crotch strap. I have one I use to mount on my waistband.