LilMsMagic
Registered
First of all, let me preface this with: this is MY OPINION of the Hollis SMS 100 vs the Dive Rite Nomad. Every person is different, each with their own unique body size, shape, and buoyancy properties. Also, this is in NO WAY a knock or dig against Dive Rite. I have MANY Dive Rite products that I LOVE!
I purchased my nomad February 2012 from Cave Adventurers which I dove back mount at first, then eventually migrated it to side mount. The nomad is a really versatile piece of dive equipment due to being able to dive it back mount it as well as side mount. Once I migrated to side mount, there were a few modifications that were done by Edd & Frank at CA, and it was an improvement on the overall comfort of the rig diving SM. One of said modifications was putting weights on the shoulders (2 lbs on each shoulder) to improve my trim, which worked like a charm.
During the past year of diving the nomad, I had heard comments about how much better the Hollis SMS 100 was designed specifically for side mount, but I purposely stuck with my nomad. It had worked for me, I had it dialed in, and why would I need the extra expense of another rig when the one I had was just fine for me.
Over the past several months, as my skill level in the water improved, I really began to understand just how heavy I was in the water, especially with 4 extra lbs of weights on my shoulders in addition to diving my steel 100s. Because of being so heavy, my nomad wing would have to be inflated to almost full capacity (especially at depth) even with air in my dry suit. The design of the nomad wing is pretty wide at the part of the body behind the arms, so I had limited range of motion with my arms in being able to reach my reels, spools, and light switch.
I adapted the mentality of it is what it is and I just have to get used to it, but my frustration with limited range of motion and heaviness in the water really began to be a factor in my level of enjoyment in the water/caves.
Recently, while visiting CA and talking to Frank about my frustration, he suggested that I just try his Hollis SMS 100. Dive it, see how it feels, what do you have to lose?
So off I go to JB, to try out Franks Hollis, with the CA modifications to it of course.
HOLY CRAP!
What a difference! For one thing, the wing design is not as wide as the Nomad behind the shoulders/arms. I IMMEDIATELY felt a difference in the range of motion in my arms; I could actually reach everything behind me with EASE! Secondly: there was no need for weights on my shoulders, so right off the bat; I was 4 lbs lighter, thus needing less air in the wing.
I felt so much lighter heading into JB with the Hollis vs. previous dives with the Nomad that it was a little more challenging actually getting in there with the flow up like it is. I adjusted for that easily enough, and while in the cavern, I barely put ANY air into the wing or my dry suit. The test: dropping down the chimney, getting some depth. Even at depth, the wing only needed minimum inflation and I still had great range of movement in my arms to reach what I needed to reach behind me.
Needless to say, Im a fan (and now owner of) the Hollis SMS 100 and have since sold my Nomad. The folks at Cave Adventurers have always been great to me, and I will always give them a shout out for their exceptional customer service, GREAT PRICES, instruction, tips & tricks, and being as warm and welcoming as possible. :yelclap:
I purchased my nomad February 2012 from Cave Adventurers which I dove back mount at first, then eventually migrated it to side mount. The nomad is a really versatile piece of dive equipment due to being able to dive it back mount it as well as side mount. Once I migrated to side mount, there were a few modifications that were done by Edd & Frank at CA, and it was an improvement on the overall comfort of the rig diving SM. One of said modifications was putting weights on the shoulders (2 lbs on each shoulder) to improve my trim, which worked like a charm.
During the past year of diving the nomad, I had heard comments about how much better the Hollis SMS 100 was designed specifically for side mount, but I purposely stuck with my nomad. It had worked for me, I had it dialed in, and why would I need the extra expense of another rig when the one I had was just fine for me.
Over the past several months, as my skill level in the water improved, I really began to understand just how heavy I was in the water, especially with 4 extra lbs of weights on my shoulders in addition to diving my steel 100s. Because of being so heavy, my nomad wing would have to be inflated to almost full capacity (especially at depth) even with air in my dry suit. The design of the nomad wing is pretty wide at the part of the body behind the arms, so I had limited range of motion with my arms in being able to reach my reels, spools, and light switch.
I adapted the mentality of it is what it is and I just have to get used to it, but my frustration with limited range of motion and heaviness in the water really began to be a factor in my level of enjoyment in the water/caves.
Recently, while visiting CA and talking to Frank about my frustration, he suggested that I just try his Hollis SMS 100. Dive it, see how it feels, what do you have to lose?
So off I go to JB, to try out Franks Hollis, with the CA modifications to it of course.
HOLY CRAP!
What a difference! For one thing, the wing design is not as wide as the Nomad behind the shoulders/arms. I IMMEDIATELY felt a difference in the range of motion in my arms; I could actually reach everything behind me with EASE! Secondly: there was no need for weights on my shoulders, so right off the bat; I was 4 lbs lighter, thus needing less air in the wing. I felt so much lighter heading into JB with the Hollis vs. previous dives with the Nomad that it was a little more challenging actually getting in there with the flow up like it is. I adjusted for that easily enough, and while in the cavern, I barely put ANY air into the wing or my dry suit. The test: dropping down the chimney, getting some depth. Even at depth, the wing only needed minimum inflation and I still had great range of movement in my arms to reach what I needed to reach behind me.
Needless to say, Im a fan (and now owner of) the Hollis SMS 100 and have since sold my Nomad. The folks at Cave Adventurers have always been great to me, and I will always give them a shout out for their exceptional customer service, GREAT PRICES, instruction, tips & tricks, and being as warm and welcoming as possible. :yelclap:
