Armadillo CCR Sidemount

TecTim · 28th October 2007, 16:57

Hi

First post on Rebreather World so bare with me! I own an unmodified Inspiration and was wondering about attaching the Armadillo system to it. Could anybody give me a few pointers before I make a mess of it?

Thanks and safe diving

Timmy

ccdiver · 29th October 2007, 01:09

Hi, Just went through the same with an Evolution, What can I say, I like the stock harness.
This is what I did. Added hole with SS grommet to middle of the "Bungee Strap" and placed that on the upper bolt of harness. Had to get a longer bolt.
Placed Butt-Plate at base of AP Harness, melted 2 holes and installed SS grommets that line up to holes on Butt-Plate and used supplied bolts to attach.
This is working great for me, still getting everything dialed in, but really like the streamlined bailout.
I can post pics if needed.
CC

TecTim · 29th October 2007, 14:38

Quote: (Originally Posted by ccdiver)

Hi, Just went through the same with an Evolution, What can I say, I like the stock harness.
This is what I did. Added hole with SS grommet to middle of the "Bungee Strap" and placed that on the upper bolt of harness. Had to get a longer bolt.
Placed Butt-Plate at base of AP Harness, melted 2 holes and installed SS grommets that line up to holes on Butt-Plate and used supplied bolts to attach.
This is working great for me, still getting everything dialed in, but really like the streamlined bailout.
I can post pics if needed.
CC

A few photos would be great, thanks

ccdiver · 31st October 2007, 13:38

Here are some pictures of my setup. The upper strap shows it coming off the upper bolt. I changed the color of the bungees to see them better.

scubanimal · 31st October 2007, 18:03

On my Inspiration, I just drilled two holes into the black case at the base, centered between the cut outs, it has worked great so far. The first few dives the butt plate/flap is a bit stiff, but that does not last long. I threaded the crotch strap through the armadillo mount to be sure it moves into the correct position when donning (sometimes gets folded over and sometimes up but just pulling the strap aligns it. I also added bungee to make the tank valve wraps easier for me. The downside is it is not as perfectly aligned as Bowen's but I don't do caves so that's fine for my needs. I'm fairly large guy and with this setup slinging 80s is a super easy even when in a bulky dry suit.

I can not say enough good things about this having the sidemount rig, it made adding bailouts really easy.

TecTim · 3rd November 2007, 16:52

Hi

Just back from my first dive with the Armadillo and it was a pleasure. I used Tino's setup which can be seen in tonyk's thread which is linked at the bottom of this page. Perfect trim, no difficulties bailing out, very comfortable on deco stops staying horizontal.

Highly recommend it.

Timmy

Soren Thomsen · 3rd November 2007, 21:07

Hi,

Have a look here and see what I did: http://www.rebreatherworld.com/rebre...armadillo.html

This is less expensive and works fine.

Cheers

Soren

Wol · 19th November 2007, 11:23

I dive mainly in the UK. I get seasick! - How is the armadillo when in use on a rocking hard dive boat ie getting the kit on quickly & easily before the dive.

Ben Field · 19th November 2007, 12:03

Quote: (Originally Posted by Wol)

I dive mainly in the UK. I get seasick! - How is the armadillo when in use on a rocking hard dive boat ie getting the kit on quickly & easily before the dive.

I dive the armadillo on a KISS but I believe these comments should still be relevant.

In rough/rolling conditions you are better off mounting your stages the bad ol' way then shifting them onto the armadillo once underwater, you need to stand up to clip the tanks to the butt pad and if you can't stand up then you won't be able to mount your tanks!

I must admit I find them slightly slower to kit up but the benefits underwater and trim wise on deco are well worth the slightly longer setup.

EvoMatt · 12th May 2008, 21:49

Quote: (Originally Posted by ccdiver)

Here are some pictures of my setup. The upper strap shows it coming off the upper bolt. I changed the color of the bungees to see them better.

Can you tell me where i can get stainless steel (or failing that, brass) grommets, and the means to fit them? Did you use a hand punch or some kind of hand press?

28th October 2007, 16:57	#1 (permalink)
TecTim New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waterford Ireland Posts: 9	Armadillo CCR Sidemount Hi First post on Rebreather World so bare with me! I own an unmodified Inspiration and was wondering about attaching the Armadillo system to it. Could anybody give me a few pointers before I make a mess of it? Thanks and safe diving Timmy
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29th October 2007, 01:09	#2 (permalink)
ccdiver New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central New York Posts: 5	Re: Armadillo CCR Sidemount Hi, Just went through the same with an Evolution, What can I say, I like the stock harness. This is what I did. Added hole with SS grommet to middle of the "Bungee Strap" and placed that on the upper bolt of harness. Had to get a longer bolt. Placed Butt-Plate at base of AP Harness, melted 2 holes and installed SS grommets that line up to holes on Butt-Plate and used supplied bolts to attach. This is working great for me, still getting everything dialed in, but really like the streamlined bailout. I can post pics if needed. CC
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29th October 2007, 14:38	#3 (permalink)
TecTim New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waterford Ireland Posts: 9	Re: Armadillo CCR Sidemount Quote: (Originally Posted by ccdiver) Hi, Just went through the same with an Evolution, What can I say, I like the stock harness. This is what I did. Added hole with SS grommet to middle of the "Bungee Strap" and placed that on the upper bolt of harness. Had to get a longer bolt. Placed Butt-Plate at base of AP Harness, melted 2 holes and installed SS grommets that line up to holes on Butt-Plate and used supplied bolts to attach. This is working great for me, still getting everything dialed in, but really like the streamlined bailout. I can post pics if needed. CC A few photos would be great, thanks
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31st October 2007, 18:03	#5 (permalink)
scubanimal New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Optima Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 82	Re: Armadillo CCR Sidemount On my Inspiration, I just drilled two holes into the black case at the base, centered between the cut outs, it has worked great so far. The first few dives the butt plate/flap is a bit stiff, but that does not last long. I threaded the crotch strap through the armadillo mount to be sure it moves into the correct position when donning (sometimes gets folded over and sometimes up but just pulling the strap aligns it. I also added bungee to make the tank valve wraps easier for me. The downside is it is not as perfectly aligned as Bowen's but I don't do caves so that's fine for my needs. I'm fairly large guy and with this setup slinging 80s is a super easy even when in a bulky dry suit. I can not say enough good things about this having the sidemount rig, it made adding bailouts really easy.
(Offline)

3rd November 2007, 16:52	#6 (permalink)
TecTim New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Waterford Ireland Posts: 9	Re: Armadillo CCR Sidemount Hi Just back from my first dive with the Armadillo and it was a pleasure. I used Tino's setup which can be seen in tonyk's thread which is linked at the bottom of this page. Perfect trim, no difficulties bailing out, very comfortable on deco stops staying horizontal. Highly recommend it. Timmy
(Offline)

3rd November 2007, 21:07	#7 (permalink)
Soren Thomsen Happy Hippo Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 129	Re: Armadillo CCR Sidemount Hi, Have a look here and see what I did: http://www.rebreatherworld.com/rebre...armadillo.html This is less expensive and works fine. Cheers Soren __________________ - Giraffes were created when Chuck Norris uppercutted a horse -
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19th November 2007, 11:23	#8 (permalink)
Wol New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 23	Re: Armadillo CCR Sidemount I dive mainly in the UK. I get seasick! - How is the armadillo when in use on a rocking hard dive boat ie getting the kit on quickly & easily before the dive.
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19th November 2007, 12:03	#9 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,442	Re: Armadillo CCR Sidemount Quote: (Originally Posted by Wol) I dive mainly in the UK. I get seasick! - How is the armadillo when in use on a rocking hard dive boat ie getting the kit on quickly & easily before the dive. I dive the armadillo on a KISS but I believe these comments should still be relevant. In rough/rolling conditions you are better off mounting your stages the bad ol' way then shifting them onto the armadillo once underwater, you need to stand up to clip the tanks to the butt pad and if you can't stand up then you won't be able to mount your tanks! I must admit I find them slightly slower to kit up but the benefits underwater and trim wise on deco are well worth the slightly longer setup. __________________ www.hugsac.org.uk Beware Fridge Suck
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12th May 2008, 21:49	#10 (permalink)
EvoMatt New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: London Posts: 5	Re: Armadillo CCR Sidemount Quote: (Originally Posted by ccdiver) Here are some pictures of my setup. The upper strap shows it coming off the upper bolt. I changed the color of the bungees to see them better. Can you tell me where i can get stainless steel (or failing that, brass) grommets, and the means to fit them? Did you use a hand punch or some kind of hand press?
(Offline)

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