SCUBAPRO X-TEK SIDEMOUNT COMPLETE SYSTEM

An excellent sidemount system. Solid comfortable and easy to use. I chose the Scubapro X-TEK sidemount system as it best suited my requirements. My requirement was for a system enabling me to carry sufficient gas for long deep dives with lengthy decompression stops. The weight of multiple cylinders was not to be on my back and I wanted to don and doff my tanks in the water. My system will be used in some overhead environments but nowhere excessively confined or too far from a clear ascent to the surface. I do not need or want a minimalist Hogarthian system designed for cave divers to squeeze through very tight constriction. Neither did I wand a hybrid system which could be used for single and double backmount as well as sidemount. Defining my requirements eliminated most of the sidemount offerings on the market. (I am sure many of the rejected options are excellent at doing the jobs they were designed for and some have a well-established base of fans and users). The Scubapro X-TEK sidemount gives me a robust, comfortable and simple but effective system. The larger 20kg wing option will support enough steel tanks for my purposes and the smaller 13kg wing will support a couple of steel 12 or 15 litre tanks. The harness is simple enough to setup and adjust but it does take quite a bit of time. That appears to be a feature of sidemount systems in general rather than just the X-TEK. My first dive was easy apart from the clumsiness of unfamiliarity. The second dive (with most adjustments close to where they needed to be) was fantastic! I could manoeuvre and/or hover any way I wanted. It must have been the easiest, most comfortable and relaxing dive I have ever made. Donning and doffing the tanks is easy when starting and ending the dive or even while swimming. Trim (as on the first dive) was perfect from the start. The weight of the two steel 12 litre tanks is obviously much more manageable in water than out but with the well-padded harness X-TEK �back plate� I really could not feel the weight at all during the dive. The Scubapro name had a bearing on my decision. I have other Scubapro dive gear and always found it to be excellent in terms of function, reliability and value for money. Many dive operations use Scubapro for their hire fleet of regs, BC�s etc. and it survives the hammering dished out by contemptuous divers who do not own their own gear. The importance of a good user manual should not be underestimated. You should have lots of questions when investigating the myriad of sidemount offerings. The X-TEK sidemount manual is comprehensive, systematic and easy to understand. It answered my long list of questions. Some manufacturers are woefully inadequate in this regard � as though they do not want you to know about the piece of kit they want you to buy! I would strongly advise anyone to read the user manual of any sidemount system before buying it. I am very happy with the X-TEK. If you are considering sidemount then take time to define exactly what sort of diving you realistically expect to do. If the Scubapro fits the bill you will not be disappointed.