Sidemounts versus Twin Tanks On The Back

[Alekseolsen]

+1. Yes, you can dive independent backmount doubles. (So, a manifold is NOT necessary.) And you don't necessarily need to use a BP/W. My first doubles experience was with independent doubles (Sherwood Genesis HP80's) used with my Orange Scubapro SSJ. And you don't necessarily need SS doubles bands. (Nylon webbing "bands" are available.)

ETA: Backmounted LP50's doubles is quite a nice recreational rig, though!

rx7diver

Now I'm not gonna touch better/worse, but independent doubles with Nylon bands and a non BPW - you just took away every single thing that makes a dlubke rigs easy? Its no longer an universal fit, no more 30 seconds to change double sets, no more do you automatically have the correct position for a rental kit and so on Guess ymmv

 

[MidOH]

I do rec doubles. Still use the metal bands and bpw.

Baby doubles are fun and worth it. Especially shore dives and other assorted freedives.

No isolator and one added spg are the only real gear differences. Maintain reserve in each tank. If a reg fails, no worries. No valve drill. Just switch to the other reg when the first wont breath.

I considered different air in each tank, but that seems like a bad idea. Id rather sling a 40 for a shallow mix. Keeping back gas identical.

 

[McGinty]

Will backmount doubles be available?

I'll check before I book, but so far the ones I've looked into do as long as I bring my own manifold.

 

[Wibble]

I'll check before I book, but so far the ones I've looked into do as long as I bring my own manifold.

This is why having an ali80 stage rigging kit would be good as you can rent another cylinder as a bottom stage whilst continuing with a “standard” single backmount cylinder. Rental is easy, rigging is easy.

 

[-JD-]

I'll check before I book, but so far the ones I've looked into do as long as I bring my own manifold.

Do you mean that they will assemble manifolded doubles for you with their tanks if you bring your own complete manifold & valve assembly AND I presume your own set of bands? That would be both great customer service and a little unnerving.

Now I'm not gonna touch better/worse, but independent doubles with Nylon bands and a non BPW - you just took away every single thing that makes a dlubke rigs easy? Its no longer an universal fit, no more 30 seconds to change double sets, no more do you automatically have the correct position for a rental kit and so on Guess ymmv

Availability at pretty much any location is the biggest reason why for travel (see above).

In my case it is also the ease of moving 2 individual tanks vs. a (full-size) banded set with a back injury.

Also, seperable cambands makes swapping pretty easy. And why are you assuming "non BPW"?

 

[Alekseolsen]

Do you mean that they will assemble manifolded doubles for you with their tanks if you bring your own complete manifold & valve assembly AND I presume your own set of bands? That would be both great customer service and a little unnerving.


Availability at pretty much any location is the biggest reason why for travel (see above).

In my case it is also the ease of moving 2 individual tanks vs. a (full-size) banded set with a back injury.

Also, seperable cambands makes swapping pretty easy. And why are you assuming "non BPW"?

I just assumed "non BPW" ad it was written "And you don't necessarily need to use a BP/W"

 

[McGinty]

Do you mean that they will assemble manifolded doubles for you with their tanks if you bring your own complete manifold & valve assembly AND I presume your own set of bands? That would be both great customer service and a little unnerving.


Availability at pretty much any location is the biggest reason why for travel (see above).

In my case it is also the ease of moving 2 individual tanks vs. a (full-size) banded set with a back injury.

Also, seperable cambands makes swapping pretty easy. And why are you assuming "non BPW"?

Well I checked with the folks that operate the Black Pearl in Palau and they said BM was OK if I bring my manifold.

 

[rx7diver]

Well I checked with the folks that operate the Black Pearl in Palau and they said BM was OK if I bring my manifold.

The crewmembers are agreeable to filling your doubles immediately after your two morning dives (say)? And then top them off after they cool, so that you can dive a couple more times in the afternoon/evening if you want? And then fill them again in the evening so that they're ready for your next day's morning dives?

rx7diver

 

[rx7diver]

I agree with the suggestion above to use a single BM cylinder and a bailout cylinder for this dive trip. Seems the simplest solution--especially if you can take your own bailout cylinder (e.g., Al 19). Is it possible to ship it ahead of time? Maybe its cheaper and less hassle to simply travel with the BO cylinder and pay the additional charges if you should go over the airline weight limit. (A doubles manifold and SS doubles bands and hardware are not an insignificant amount of weight, so there's that!)

The neat thing about a bailout cylinder is you can breathe down your BM Al 80 a bit more (since you don't have to leave as much of an emergency reserve in the Al 80). And you shouldn't have to have your BO topped off after it is filled initially upon your arrival. (That is, don't use it like a stage bottle.)

rx7diver

 

[Marie13]

I agree with the suggestion above to use a single BM cylinder and a bailout cylinder for this dive trip. Seems the simplest solution--especially if you can take your own bailout cylinder (e.g., Al 19). Is it possible to ship it ahead of time? Maybe its cheaper and less hassle to simply travel with the BO cylinder and pay the additional charges if you should go over the airline weight limit. (A doubles manifold and SS doubles bands and hardware are not an insignificant amount of weight, so there's that!)

The neat thing about a bailout cylinder is you can breathe down your BM Al 80 a bit more (since you don't have to leave as much of an emergency reserve in the Al 80. And you shouldn't have to have your BO topped off after it is filled initially upon your arrival. (That is, don't use it like a stage bottle.)

rx7diver

Another member here whose name I cannot remember mentioned a number of times that he took stage rigging for an AL80 on overseas trips. Very easy to pack and getting an extra AL80 was rarely an issue.