Thoughts on alternative to independent dbls for travel

[JimC]

Is that the same as clipping the 2nd tank off to the side as a big stage bottle? If not, what is the relative advantage and disadvantages of side mount vs just taking the 2nd tank as a stage bottle / front mounted pony bottle?

No.

http://www.advanceddivermagazine.com/armadillo.html

There are many advantages to sidemount, and some disadvantages. But the primary one for the OP is that it goes anywhere you can rent a pair of tanks (almost any two matched tanks will do) and it can do any dive you would decide to do in doubles.

 

[JessH]

Looks dodgy to me.....

http://www.technodivers.com/Photo1.htm

And it looks like they forgot the duct tape. Don't worry, I am sure it will have plenty on it after just a few dives.

~Jess

 

[beasleym]

I've looked at technodivers but as others have said it doesn't have the redundancy, is expensive, and I'm a bit leery of a flexible high pressure line that size close to my head. (I'm an engineer and have dealt with high pressure hydraulic lines much larger and much higher pressure. Yeah, they work fine and I trust them - but not that much and oxygen has it's own gotchas with hoses.)

Yes, it would be great to have dive ops that can supply doubles but there are a lot of 3rd world countries where even the cost of an 80 is a major investment, let alone manifolded doubles. (Dove Bali two years ago. Had a SUV with driver and a divemaster all day, they drove me 180 miles across the island, bought me lunch and paid for gas, and it cost me $105. So think what an investment a manifold would be.)

Thought about carrying my own, but the gear weight is already high and some airlines are now talking about charging for even a second bag. My back also isn't what it used to be so any extra weight it to be avoided.

One thing I forgot to mention is that my travel BC can handle two tanks standard with no mods. So that's the reason for looking at the manifold block. Just have never tried anything like this and wondered if anyone has done anything similar or has the experience to punch holes in the idea.

Thanks all!

 

[ianr33]

If your BC can handle 2 tanks then the easiest way is to just dive independant doubles.Set the hoses up in the standard way but add an spg on the right tank. Remember to switch regs once in a while! Its not rocket science.

Alternatively dive with a single on your back and sling another 80 on the front.Amounts to the same thing but less messing with hoses.