A few Kit questions

[robertsT]

Hi,
Have been diving now for about 5 years on a single tank and BCD but this year I have decided to make the transition to a twin set. I've recently brought a second had set of manifold twin 10s (I know most people will probably tell me that i should have gone for 12s but being 5:8 and 9 stone they were just to heavy!). So Now i'm looking to get the other bits i need at the Dive show as I've book on a twin set familiarisation sesson soon after and later in the year I’m doing the Advance Nitrox and Deco course.

I think I’ve decided to go for an Apeks WTX40 wing and backplate, as i don't want anything to big as I will also be using for single tank diving. This set up also seem to be very good value for money.

I'm planning on using my much loved Aqualung Titan LX Supreme as back up reg and either by another one the same or get an Apeks XTX40 with DS4 First Stage as my new Primary reg. (any comments on which would be best most welcome!). However, I will want a long hose on the primary reg am I likely to find one at the dive show with a long hose already attached or will I need to buy it separately? If so can I attach it myself?? Also I 99% sure that the primary reg normally gorse on the right, can someone confirm this?

My other slight worry is with ditching the BC is where to put everything. I will be getting a big cargo pocket on my dry suite for spare Mask and reel but have a large McMahon real and I’m not sure what to do with it. I have seen other using a bungee to rap up the SMB to the reel and then clip it to a D-ring. this seems a good idea but i can't work out how to attach the bungee! Can anyone help? A photo would be great!

Thanks
Tom

[chrisMc]

Twin 10's is a good choice, I used to dive them, and you can always upgrade to 12's in the future.

Wing and backplate - it really is personnel preference, they all do the same job. Some have more lift, more streamlined, diffrent prices. As long as it suits your needs that should be fine. The only advice would be to check the lift of the wing and ensure it is suitable for the cylinders you carry (or may carry in the future).

regs are personnel choice aswell, you cant really get a bad one so go with what you like. considerations;

1) Some regs typically Poseidons, you can choose the length of hose when you buy them. Others do not. you can buy longer hoses (typcially £20). Fitting them is easy, you just need a couple of spanners. Alterntively if you buy the reg and hose at the shop get them to fit it for you.

2) how are you going to route your regs, traditional regs come over your right hand shoulder. Ideally you want your left cylinder and left reg to come over your left shoulder (unless your DIR - but speak to them if your intrested in their routing) I XTX and side vent regulators allow this.

3) yes your primary DOES go on your right.

Backplate and harnesses typcially do not have built in pockets like BC's. There are exceptions e.g. OMS IQ pack etc. You can also buy pockets to fit onto your harness, as needed. A lot of techie divers use boltsnaps and connect things directly to theirharness via D rings. Positives and negatives to all.

Wrapping an SMB to a reel. Put a loop of bungee through the hole in the handle. Put your smb (clipped to the line obviously) level with the handle. Loop the bungee loop around the spool handle. I dont ahve a camera for a better explantion sorry.

Oh and speak to other twin set users - do a course etc. its eaasier to learn from them.

[broady]

Originally Posted by robertsT

I know most people will probably tell me that i should have gone for 12s but being 5:8 and 9 stone they were just to heavy!

Get in the gym mate - my Mrs is 5:5 and 8.5 stone and can stand and waddle with twin 12's and 2 Ali 80 stages and she's deffo no butch bitch !!

If you've booked a twinset familiarisation course I would wait until you have done that before buying any more kit as you're likely to see all the various ways of doing things and different kit configurations on the course. Accessory placement should also be covered and if not spend a few mins chatting to the instructor about it. I've picked up little ideas here and there by looking at other divers kit.

You're unlikely to save much on bits of equipment at the dive show and you may well buy something you find you dont need or regret later. Better to buy 'once' when you have the knowledge, in my opinion.

G

.

[turbanator]

[off-topic]
Tom, when I was looking for the current caption comp pic, I came across some pics of the RIB at St. Abbs, and guess who was on board ?
[/off-topic]

[robertsT]

Originally Posted by turbanator

[off-topic]
Tom, when I was looking for the current caption comp pic, I came across some pics of the RIB at St. Abbs, and guess who was on board ?
[/off-topic]

Oh i miss the Guildford BSAC trips to St Abbs, have'nt been back for a couple of years. What was the Photo and more important what was i doing to require a caption!!

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by chrisMc

2) how are you going to route your regs, traditional regs come over your right hand shoulder. Ideally you want your left cylinder and left reg to come over your left shoulder (unless your DIR - but speak to them if your intrested in their routing) I XTX and side vent regulators allow this.

"Ideally" is very subjective .... I think most technical divers have both regs come over the right shoulder.

Originally Posted by chrisMc

Oh and speak to other twin set users - do a course etc. its eaasier to learn from them.

Agree with this ..... YD ,makes a good alternative, of course ..... but as with all advice, it's worth what you pay for it
Mal

[turbanator]

Originally Posted by robertsT

Oh i miss the Guildford BSAC trips to St Abbs, have'nt been back for a couple of years. What was the Photo and more important what was i doing to require a caption!!

It was people standing around on and off the boat - it looks like a split second of time, but we all know that the pose was probabaly held for about half an hour

Fear not, you were doing nothing to be ashamed of (that time ), but I was naming people in the club for Kirstie and remembered that you were on YD.

r
P

[ralphg]

[quote=robertsT;865722]Hi,
Have been diving now for about 5 years on a single tank and BCD but this year I have decided to make the transition to a twin set. I've recently brought a second had set of manifold twin 10s (I know most people will probably tell me that i should have gone for 12s but being 5:8 and 9 stone they were just to heavy!). So Now i'm looking to get the other bits i need at the Dive show as I've book on a twin set familiarisation sesson soon after and later in the year I’m doing the Advance Nitrox and Deco course.

I think I’ve decided to go for an Apeks WTX40 wing and backplate, as i don't want anything to big as I will also be using for single tank diving. This set up also seem to be very good value for money.


Hi Tom

We seem to be in the same position re. experience and now twin 10's. I too am looking for a wing but want enough lift to have a choice of 12's later. I have considered the WTX40...not been able to locate a huge number of reviews on it though. Have also considered Dive Rite Rec or Classic. I intend to buy at the Dive Show, so no doubt we will be frequenting the same stalls......See you there !

Ralph

[robertsT]

Originally Posted by ralphg

[


Hi Tom

We seem to be in the same position re. experience and now twin 10's. I too am looking for a wing but want enough lift to have a choice of 12's later. I have considered the WTX40...not been able to locate a huge number of reviews on it though. Have also considered Dive Rite Rec or Classic. I intend to buy at the Dive Show, so no doubt we will be frequenting the same stalls......See you there !

Ralph

yes Does sound like we are at a similar level if you fancy playing around with new twin sets at a pond some time after easter I would be keen

[robertsT]

Originally Posted by chrisMc

Twin 10's is a good choice, I used to dive them, and you can always upgrade to 12's in the future.

Wing and backplate - it really is personnel preference, they all do the same job. Some have more lift, more streamlined, diffrent prices. As long as it suits your needs that should be fine. The only advice would be to check the lift of the wing and ensure it is suitable for the cylinders you carry (or may carry in the future).

regs are personnel choice aswell, you cant really get a bad one so go with what you like. considerations;

1) Some regs typically Poseidons, you can choose the length of hose when you buy them. Others do not. you can buy longer hoses (typcially £20). Fitting them is easy, you just need a couple of spanners. Alterntively if you buy the reg and hose at the shop get them to fit it for you.

2) how are you going to route your regs, traditional regs come over your right hand shoulder. Ideally you want your left cylinder and left reg to come over your left shoulder (unless your DIR - but speak to them if your intrested in their routing) I XTX and side vent regulators allow this.

3) yes your primary DOES go on your right.

Backplate and harnesses typcially do not have built in pockets like BC's. There are exceptions e.g. OMS IQ pack etc. You can also buy pockets to fit onto your harness, as needed. A lot of techie divers use boltsnaps and connect things directly to theirharness via D rings. Positives and negatives to all.

Wrapping an SMB to a reel. Put a loop of bungee through the hole in the handle. Put your smb (clipped to the line obviously) level with the handle. Loop the bungee loop around the spool handle. I dont ahve a camera for a better explantion sorry.

Oh and speak to other twin set users - do a course etc. its eaasier to learn from them.

All good advice, thanks!

I have mixed feelings about waiting till after the course to buy the rest of my set up as I would quite like to use it as an oportunity to get my own kit adjusted to me.