Question Sidemount Regulator orientation.

[DerkG9]

Hi all, I'm interested in the general opinion of having your SM first stage orientated away from the body? I have had my 1st stages orientated that way for over a year now now and i find it much more comfortable. Benefits I have observed are the following;

Hose routing, I find that there is no unessary strain on the hose, there is a slight curve as it contours the body to the LPI on the dry-suit and SM wing. There is nothing digging into the body as everything sits a little lower.

Tank/cylinder trim, I find when I change equipment when traveling (using rentals/different exposure suits/different tank material ect), with the first stage down they fall strait into trim providing the bolts snaps and Ds are positioned correctly. With the first stage facing the body I always have to do a frew adjusments before it sits comfortable. This could be down to the regulators I use. Workable but not ideal for SM.

The obvious con, is the unlikely possibility of damaging the first stage. I see this been difficult due the contact with the cylinder before the FS but I could be wrong.

Current setup;
K2 wing
Apeks FSR first stage
12l steel
Dry-suit

 

[DerkG9]

I’m not completely clear on what the OP is suggesting (pics would help) but for me it’s important to have the valve knobs pointing out, this makes it much easier to find and reach them, and if you use a right angle 1st stage (like most) then you don’t want the barrel of the 1st stage to be interfering with opening/closing the valve so it points in the opposite direction, i.e. inwards. I’m having a tough time imagining anything different, to be honest. I’m also assuming the OP is using L/R valves on the tanks. (Left hand valve on right tank, vice versa) For a stage I use a left hand valve so that it points in the opposite direction of the left tank.

Orientation of the first stage, facing towards body or away from body. That's working of the assumption the valves are outward facing. Looking at the response so far, there is a an interesting difference between divers!

 

[grantmac]

Willing to bet you have cylinder trim issues.

I don't find 5th ports to be a big deal but a turret sure is nice.

 

[MSargeant]

First stages in, valve knobs out.
Halcyon H-75p first stages so the turret = 5th port provide optimal hose routing.

 

[DerkG9]

Willing to bet you have cylinder trim issues.

I don't find 5th ports to be a big deal but a turret sure is nice.

Errr nope, as I stated earlier in the post! Cylinders sit just fine!

 

[grantmac]

Errr nope, as I stated earlier in the post! Cylinders sit just fine!

Lots of sidemount divers think that until they see a picture of themselves. Especially with steels.

 

[Umuntu]

Lots of sidemount divers think that until they see a picture of themselves. Especially with steels.

Arrogant and presumptuous without any data on which to base your opinion.

Valve and first stage orientation will have zero impact on weight distribution and trim. It does affect hose routing, access to valve knobs and, depending on the regulator and it’s orientation, whether it, or the hoses, poke into you.

Some humility would serve you well.

 

[Rilelen]

First stages in, valve knobs out.
Halcyon H-75p first stages so the turret = 5th port provide optimal hose routing.

My exact setup!

 

[grantmac]

Arrogant and presumptuous without any data on which to base your opinion.

Valve and first stage orientation will have zero impact on weight distribution and trim. It does affect hose routing, access to valve knobs and, depending on the regulator and it’s orientation, whether it, or the hoses, poke into you.

Some humility would serve you well.

A picture would clear that up wouldn't it?

Because there are several things in the OP which point mainly to boltsnap position being incorrect.

 

[Umuntu]

A picture would clear that up wouldn't it?

Because there are several things in the OP which point mainly to boltsnap position being incorrect.

Why do you think that you are entitled to a picture of something unrelated to the OP’s original question ?

 

[MSargeant]

My exact setup!