Versatile Sidemount BC?

[tbone1004]

Jay, issue with your statement of saving money by using the UTD system is that you still have to buy all of the parts to go back and forth and they're VERY expensive. Will pick on the system a bit from a pricing perspective because while it has the versatility, you aren't actually saving any money vs. buying dedicated rigs, even if you go with top of the line rigs.

I.e. the hybrid alpha/delta trim system *only one that can do sidemount and singles is $1250, plus a backplate at $1400 and still can't do doubles. This does NOT include the Z-manifold either which adds $200 to the system.
I can get a DSS rig for $800 which is a single tank system plus a doubles wing, and a Razor for $800 which would do sidemount just as well and spend an extra $200 over the non-manifold, or same price as the manifolded system and be completely set for singles, doubles, sidemount.
That's my only objection to their system, they've priced themselves at the very top end of the market which doesn't make them a good value regardless of how good the equipment is. Same issue with the Halcyon contour, it's a brilliant rig, but at $850 it makes you cringe. I could save $200 on the rigs above and go with a Sub-Gravity Diamond which is basically the same thing. Could buy a DRiS Trianta system and save a couple hundred bucks vs. the DSS system.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

You left out the spendy QC6 connectors as well. For the money you'll spend on the UTD system you could buy small, and large SM rigs as well as a back plate and wing.

 

[DevonDiver]

OP, to use an analogy... you're asking for a car with the speed of a Ferrari, but can go off-road like a Hummer, can fit a family of 8... but looks hot when you go out on a date..

It's a matter of compromise. As the saying goes, the solution will be a "jack of all trades, master of none".

Personally, my advice is... If you're going to dive sidemount, then dive SIDEMOUNT... not some bastard system that'll never reach the money-shot in either guise.

Sidemount and backmount have very different demands. Where people struggle with their sidemount development... I see the most common root cause is that they're still trying to dive it like backmount. The results are never pretty.

Chances are... If you get expert sidemount tuition... You rarely, if ever, want to dive backmount again.

Here's a good reference : A List of Modern Sidemount Diving Systems

 

[tbone1004]

Chances are... If you get expert sidemount tuition... You rarely, if ever, want to dive backmount again.

Here's a good reference : A List of Modern Sidemount Diving Systems

that is true. I still have some limited uses for backmount, but it definitely a specialized tool as opposed to my primary system where 6-7 years ago when I started sidemounting, it was the other way around. For the NC wrecks, doubles or large singles are still easier, but for all of my other diving, sidemount is definitely my go to.

 

[DevonDiver]

I keep a set of backmount single and double for rare occasions also. Normally, that's for teaching (but 95% of my courses are sidemount anyway). I keep the single only for when I do favors for dive centers, recreational courses (some DC don't want me in sidemount when teaching basic scuba courses)... and it's their as a loaner whilst my girlfriend learns to dive.

I've dived backmount less than a dozen times in the last 6 years..

 

[decompression]

You left out the spendy QC6 connectors as well. For the money you'll spend on the UTD system you could buy small, and large SM rigs as well as a back plate and wing.

Note, you do not need the QC6/manifolds etc......just harness and wing.

The Alpha/Delta (my favorite) is $315 US. Pretty good for an excellent BM wing, a capable SM wing with 37# of adjustable lift. Works with standard harness, backplate and razor harness. Versatile.


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[306dive306]

my humble opinion on the matter:

1) if you're interested in cave diving in Mexico, do not buy anything big like the Hollis, Halcyon, DiveRite and others. Instructors in that area want you to have minimalistic rigs like the XDeep and Razor. Don't bother wasting your time and money with the big rigs.

2) If you dive with a single steel tank in side mount you will be a "sun fish" on the water. Totally sideways, unless you counter the tank's weight with a lot of weight on your right side. Aluminum 80s and 85s are slightly negative at the beginning of the dive, but when you reach 2000psi you will be fine.

3) My next project is to take TDI courses to dive at 100m and I've spoken to several people who dive this depth with XDeep Classic without a problem.

4) I don't work for XDeep and I don't gain anything by saying this, but I'll say it anyways: Go XDeep for your side mount rig and - if after side mounting you're still capable of going back to back mount - go for a dual tank back mount.

All the best!