I have my long hose zig zag in the retaining bands. I think it makes it easier to pull out the length I need for myself without pulling out all the hose
I use the same 1st/2st stages. Things that are different in my setup: 1) 90degree elbow on secondary reg. No elbow on longhose. No specific reason other than that I use two different connections to easily identify which reg I'm breathing from ;-) 2) I took both second stages Miflex hoses off. Miflex longhose is hard to tuck away and floats which sucks. I use something that is called neorubber. Slightly negative and easier to fold than rubber hoses.. Beside that miflex hoses scratch your neck (not really an issue with drysuit I guess). 3) I use Apeks (also available from Scubapro) gridlock on the lower part of both tanks instead of normal stage-rigging, which I think is more flexible (but rather expensive). 4) I use the same kind of HP gauges, but I don't like them sticking out so I bungee them to the first stages (which is also streamlined ofcourse). 5) Most important imo: I use the boltsnap connected to the longhose with (two) breakaway O-rings. Because another diver in distress needs to be able to grab/breakaway the primary reg/hose when I am on my secondary reg and the primary is clipped away and secured to the upper right D-ring. What I missed in your video is what kind of wing you use. I'm using a slightly modified Apeks WSX-25 with sliding D-rings (I use ALU tanks only) on the waist webbing. I don't want/need too much lift (I only dive warm waters, no suit or just a very thin shorty). Cheers and let the discussions begin ;-)
At last, an informative program cutting out all the additional up-sell verbiage which many of the U.S. programs tend to have. (Which can be up to 10 minutes of lead in sales rubbish). Also, credit to Mark who cuts to the chase and removes all unnecessary flowery salesmanship which, we Brits tend not to like too much. This programme gets straight to the point. Love it!🤣🤣
I use the exact same setup you have, Mark, exact for the elbows. Just a 90 degree elbow on the short hose. But I'm considering putting a 120 degree on the long hose for more comfort. I also prefer regular rubber Apeks hoses. They're about the same weight as the flex hoses. Bit less flexible but not really needed. I tried the Tech Flex hoses but didn't like them much. Currently testing Aqualung transmitters with my Shearwater. Works fine so far and definitely makes it easier to check gas when you're in a drysuit with thick undersuit and thick gloves.
lollipops are evil by the way ;). They just get in the way and you shouldn't need to check gas pressure all the time. Once you get some experience you can estimate how much gas you have in each cylinder based on tank weight and dive profile.
How easy is it to switch back my twin 12’s back to singles can you buy the valve blanks where the manifold was located also do the cylinders need to be empty to do this thanks for any help 👌
50cm hose to inflate your drysuit ???? Which drysuit do you have ? With a centered inflation valve on my DUI TLS 350 I use a 15cm hose and there's some slack ...
I strongly recommend to use a break away boltsnap on the long hose. On a DIR setup it is not needed, because you always breath from it. On sidemount you clip it every now and then and should have a quick release option in case of emergency.
@@butimo Agree on both points. I have the same setup as in the video, but mirrored (longhose left, shorthose right) and no elbow on the longhouse. the longhose regulator fastened on a bold snap, with a small bungy loop around the mouthpiece. This makes it very easy to pull the longhose off the d-ring, and equally easy to re-fit it afterwards. Handy for dive #2. :)
InnerSpace Explorers - ISE "How to tie a boltsnap" at the 3-minute mark. th-cam.com/video/Qm_oZTAqE04/w-d-xo.htmlm Or this video: Simply Scuba "How To Tie a bolt Snap" th-cam.com/video/GxOzJ0HZo24/w-d-xo.html You might want to do a breakaway bolt-snap, using an o-ring, and zip-tie. If you need to donate the long-hose, having to unclip the regulator in an emergency might be a problem.
Lollipops are more common on DPVs, as you can check your gas without coming off the trigger. Though transmitters are better for sidemount gas checks, as it isn't a two handed affair.
🤔 i check my gauges one handed. Not a problem at all. That’s something you normally learn in a sidemount essentials. Transmitters putting a lot clutter under your arms.
@@Teampegleg I’m not cave trained, but pretty sure that cave divers will not relying on battery powered tools without backup. Also none of the cave divers I know, I have ever seen with it. Having a SPG is a bare minimum equipment
@@butimo Then you don't know very many cave divers. Shearwaters and transmitters have proven themselves reliable enough that it isn't unusual to see transmitters only in cave country. Typically only on sidemount, as on backmount you can easily add a SPG and remain streamlined. And obviously not on the strictly DIR folks, but most of those guys aren't diving sidemount. As far as relying on a battery powered tool, I've seen more SPGs malfunction than transmitters. And when transmitters fail you get no reading. So if you are monitoring your gas properly and sticking with the plan if you turn on the failure you should be fine. And if you aren't, well that isn't the transmitters fault.
@@butimo At this point in time transmitters have proven themselves to be as reliable as SPGs. It's a discussion that often comes up in Sidemount groups and it essentially comes down to what you prefer. Everybody has a preference but there's no clear evidence that one is better anymore. If you really want a backup for a transmitter a button guage on the top of the 1st stage is an option though I personally don't use it. The gas plan should allow for turning the dive if a transmitter fails. As for clutter, I disagree. A transmitter on a short hose is virtually identical to an SPG. Can you describe what you mean?
How do you set up your sidemount regulators? Let us know below.
I have my long hose zig zag in the retaining bands. I think it makes it easier to pull out the length I need for myself without pulling out all the hose
I use the same 1st/2st stages.
Things that are different in my setup:
1) 90degree elbow on secondary reg. No elbow on longhose. No specific reason other than that I use two different connections to easily identify which reg I'm breathing from ;-)
2) I took both second stages Miflex hoses off. Miflex longhose is hard to tuck away and floats which sucks. I use something that is called neorubber. Slightly negative and easier to fold than rubber hoses.. Beside that miflex hoses scratch your neck (not really an issue with drysuit I guess).
3) I use Apeks (also available from Scubapro) gridlock on the lower part of both tanks instead of normal stage-rigging, which I think is more flexible (but rather expensive).
4) I use the same kind of HP gauges, but I don't like them sticking out so I bungee them to the first stages (which is also streamlined ofcourse).
5) Most important imo: I use the boltsnap connected to the longhose with (two) breakaway O-rings. Because another diver in distress needs to be able to grab/breakaway the primary reg/hose when I am on my secondary reg and the primary is clipped away and secured to the upper right D-ring.
What I missed in your video is what kind of wing you use. I'm using a slightly modified Apeks WSX-25 with sliding D-rings (I use ALU tanks only) on the waist webbing. I don't want/need too much lift (I only dive warm waters, no suit or just a very thin shorty).
Cheers and let the discussions begin ;-)
At last, an informative program cutting out all the additional up-sell verbiage which many of the U.S. programs tend to have. (Which can be up to 10 minutes of lead in sales rubbish). Also, credit to Mark who cuts to the chase and removes all unnecessary flowery salesmanship which, we Brits tend not to like too much. This programme gets straight to the point. Love it!🤣🤣
Really enjoyed the video. Starting to get the gear together for side mounts. Appreciate your insight
I use the exact same setup you have, Mark, exact for the elbows. Just a 90 degree elbow on the short hose. But I'm considering putting a 120 degree on the long hose for more comfort.
I also prefer regular rubber Apeks hoses. They're about the same weight as the flex hoses. Bit less flexible but not really needed. I tried the Tech Flex hoses but didn't like them much.
Currently testing Aqualung transmitters with my Shearwater. Works fine so far and definitely makes it easier to check gas when you're in a drysuit with thick undersuit and thick gloves.
lollipops are evil by the way ;). They just get in the way and you shouldn't need to check gas pressure all the time. Once you get some experience you can estimate how much gas you have in each cylinder based on tank weight and dive profile.
Great video. I clip my long hose reg to my right shoulder. Had to donate one time when it was around my neck and it was tangled with my left hose.
How easy is it to switch back my twin 12’s back to singles can you buy the valve blanks where the manifold was located also do the cylinders need to be empty to do this thanks for any help 👌
Pretty much the same, but I run wireless transmitters facing down with small brass gauges in the 2nd HP port pointed up.
What happens in a out of air situation? As there's no octopus?
nice video for a in depth tutorial i would look at steve martins class.
50cm hose to inflate your drysuit ???? Which drysuit do you have ? With a centered inflation valve on my DUI TLS 350 I use a 15cm hose and there's some slack ...
I strongly recommend to use a break away boltsnap on the long hose. On a DIR setup it is not needed, because you always breath from it. On sidemount you clip it every now and then and should have a quick release option in case of emergency.
Same with the elbow on the long hose. Unhandy for the out of air situation and more common on sidemount only teams only using short hoses
@@butimo Agree on both points. I have the same setup as in the video, but mirrored (longhose left, shorthose right) and no elbow on the longhouse.
the longhose regulator fastened on a bold snap, with a small bungy loop around the mouthpiece. This makes it very easy to pull the longhose off the d-ring, and equally easy to re-fit it afterwards. Handy for dive #2. :)
Do you dive side mount or doubles more often?
He dives doubles I believe
Thank you for doing a new video on side mount for use that are new to this
Thanks for the video
What size are your cylinders? Love the videos.
It’s not the size of the cylinder…it’s how you use it 😏
#AskMark Thanks for this :) I'm curious how you've tied the bolt snap to your regulator hose (near the second stage)? Cheers :)
InnerSpace Explorers - ISE "How to tie a boltsnap" at the 3-minute mark.
th-cam.com/video/Qm_oZTAqE04/w-d-xo.htmlm
Or this video: Simply Scuba "How To Tie a bolt Snap"
th-cam.com/video/GxOzJ0HZo24/w-d-xo.html
You might want to do a breakaway bolt-snap, using an o-ring, and zip-tie. If you need to donate the long-hose, having to unclip the regulator in an emergency might be a problem.
G'day@@gryphonauto :) Thank you for this information. This looks like a really helpful channel :) Cheers
Love your videos
I use this same set up
Lollipops are more common on DPVs, as you can check your gas without coming off the trigger. Though transmitters are better for sidemount gas checks, as it isn't a two handed affair.
🤔 i check my gauges one handed. Not a problem at all. That’s something you normally learn in a sidemount essentials. Transmitters putting a lot clutter under your arms.
@@butimo Not in a cave environment, it is a two handed affair. And transmitters take up less room than SPGs.
@@Teampegleg I’m not cave trained, but pretty sure that cave divers will not relying on battery powered tools without backup. Also none of the cave divers I know, I have ever seen with it. Having a SPG is a bare minimum equipment
@@butimo Then you don't know very many cave divers. Shearwaters and transmitters have proven themselves reliable enough that it isn't unusual to see transmitters only in cave country. Typically only on sidemount, as on backmount you can easily add a SPG and remain streamlined. And obviously not on the strictly DIR folks, but most of those guys aren't diving sidemount.
As far as relying on a battery powered tool, I've seen more SPGs malfunction than transmitters. And when transmitters fail you get no reading. So if you are monitoring your gas properly and sticking with the plan if you turn on the failure you should be fine. And if you aren't, well that isn't the transmitters fault.
@@butimo At this point in time transmitters have proven themselves to be as reliable as SPGs. It's a discussion that often comes up in Sidemount groups and it essentially comes down to what you prefer. Everybody has a preference but there's no clear evidence that one is better anymore. If you really want a backup for a transmitter a button guage on the top of the 1st stage is an option though I personally don't use it. The gas plan should allow for turning the dive if a transmitter fails.
As for clutter, I disagree. A transmitter on a short hose is virtually identical to an SPG. Can you describe what you mean?
Would have been good to see you wearing them.
I cant be the only one that's mad that the cover in the second stage is on an angle :(