Nomad LTZ Modifications

[Dive Right In Scuba 2]

One thing I have always loved about Sidemount since my cylinders first "rolled off of my back" in 2010 is the number of different personalized configurations and modifications you can do to suit your personal diving style. It takes me back to my days as a VW/Audi tuner guy and the time spent dreaming up ways to enhance the driving experience. With that in mind, last week I finally retired my Nomad JT that I got in 2012 and picked up a shiny new Nomad LTZ. Upon pulling it out of the plastic and snipping the little bag with the tank chokers off of it, I made 2 initial modifications. First, I replaced the webbing chest strap with a bungee style strap that I made from a bolt snap, quick link, shrink tubing, and a length of 1/4" bungee. The second thing was to strip down the LTZ of it's epaulets, shoulder padding, and the couple of D-rings that I know I'll never use.

The reasons I made these two modifications are that with my 48" chest I find the webbing chest strap a little constricting and like the more "fluid" feel of the bungee strap. When it comes to stripping down the LTZ....well I just like clean and streamlined.

So, what personal mods do you make to your LTZ or any other sidemount rig when it comes out of the box? Why did you make these modifications?

 

[The Chairman]

Pictures please!

I love my LTZ. Not sure I've made any mods worthy of note at this point. That has to be a first for me and a BC. @Dive Rite should see this thread.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba 2]

Pictures please!

I love my LTZ. Not sure I've made any mods worthy of note at this point. That has to be a first for me and a BC. @Dive Rite should see this thread.

Haha, I'll get you some pics when I make it home and out to the garage!

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I have the LT tech which is similar. First thing I did was get rid of the ring bungees and mount loop bungees using the inner quick links and some large shrink tubing. The LT tech does not come with the unnecessary padding so I didn't have to ditch that. I left the web chest strap on but modified it a little to attach a length of bungee to it and around the inflator which comes up on my left from the bottom. This way it keeps it in the center of my chest. Same as my other two rigs. If I ever decide to use it with the drysuit it's one hand to operate both the BC and drysuit inflator at the same time. I'm going to be adding some custom hardware I make on the water jet to change the harness to an H style with the shoulder straps coming straight down as I prefer this over the under the arm configuration that is standard.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba 2]

I have the LT tech which is similar. First thing I did was get rid of the ring bungees and mount loop bungees using the inner quick links and some large shrink tubing. The LT tech does not come with the unnecessary padding so I didn't have to ditch that. I left the web chest strap on but modified it a little to attach a length of bungee to it and around the inflator which comes up on my left from the bottom. This way it keeps it in the center of my chest. Same as my other two rigs. If I ever decide to use it with the drysuit it's one hand to operate both the BC and drysuit inflator at the same time. I'm going to be adding some custom hardware I make on the water jet to change the harness to an H style with the shoulder straps coming straight down as I prefer this over the under the arm configuration that is standard.

I'm thinking that may be my next mod to attach the inflator somewhere near or on the chest bungee for one handed wing/drysuit operation. What I referred to as "padding" on the LTZ is just the super fabric sleeves over the shoulder webbing and the neoprene sleeve over the crotch strap.

 

[The Chairman]

What's a dry suit???

 

[Bennno]

There is a little write up on LTZ mods on Andy's blog:
Dive Rite Nomad LTZ Sidemount Review