New Gear and BP/W question

[jared w]

So,
I just finished my open water PADI cert down in Cozumel. Now, I tend to be the sort of person who keeps on learning things in any hobby I get into and I plan on going through to at least the DM level in PADI. This would be purely for my own personal edification, I don't much want to teach professionally although volunteering would be something I'd do.

I do not mind spending money on gear and have dropped a ton on my other hobbies so I want to get a setup that I won't outgrow anytime soon. I hope to do deeper water dives, cold water dives, cave dives, etc.

Right now my gear choices are
Regulator - Oceanic Delta 4 with DVT
Atomic SS1 inflator/octopus one piece
Oceanic Veo 250 with compass

The last piece I'm unsure of is the BC. I'd been thinking of a Zeagle Ranger but the more I tool around these forums the more it looks like people like BP/W setups. Would it be a bad idea to just get one right away? If not which one? The Halycon or Dive Right? Can I get one setup that would be predominantly used for one tank but takes two tanks? Will the Atomic work with the setup?

I plan on heading back to Cozumel and then to Bonaire within the next 15 months and also plan on tooling around local resevoirs/holes near me before then.

 

[micklock]

I bought a Seaquest Black Diamond BC 9 years ago and like it alot, but last weekend I tried a Dive Rite BP/W at their tec tour and ordered one monday morning. I'm going to get the trek wing for my short hp 80's and steel 40's, it will work with a single tank set up also. Best if you can try them before you buy one. If I did it again I would get the BP/W set up from the start, I really like the metal back plate.

 

[TSandM]

If you're seriously tempted by cave diving, you will need to have a BP/W at some point anyway, so you may as well buy one now. (They're really nice to dive, too!)

Quick primer on them: A backplate is a backplate; you can use the same plate with single and double tanks. But wings are different -- They need to be properly sized (and sometimes properly shaped) for the tank/tanks you are using. It is a mistake to try to make a wing do for single and double tank diving, because a wing that is too big will "taco" up around the tank and be difficult to vent and poorly streamlined.

Backplates were originally designed to hold double tanks. Diving a single tank with a BP requires one of two things: Either a single tank adapter (STA) or a wing system that has a tank stabilizer. STA's have a couple of advantages: They can provide additional weight, if you are a cold water diver and need it, and they bolt on and off the backplate, saving you the annoyance of threading and removing the cambands if you are switching back and forth between single and double tanks. If you're as lazy as I am, though, you'll end up owning more than one plate and keep one for doubles and one for singles, and then using a wing stabilizer system is very convenient. I believe Deep Sea Supply, Oxycheq and Halcyon have STA-less systems, although I could be wrong.

Regarding the SS1, if you are seriously thinking about cave diving, don't bother to buy it. You will need to use a long hose/bungied backup system for cave diving, and again, may as well start as you mean to go on.

With respect to brands on the BP/W system, there are a LOT of choices out there these days. You've mentioned two (Halcyon and Dive Rite) but there are also Deep Sea Supply, Oxycheq, Golem Gear, Agir, Deep Outdoors . . . Lots of choices. Prices vary tremendously, so it is worth doing some shopping. You can also get a reasonable deal on backplates used (pretty safe, as there is nothing that requires maintenance on a BP).

I recommend DSS equipment, because I dive it and I like the quality, but also because I think the customer service from the company is unparalleled. Tobin will make sure you get the setup that will work for you, and he won't sell it to you until he's sure of that. I know, because one of my best friends contacted him to buy a rig, and he wouldn't sell her one until she got him enough information that he knew she was buying the right thing!

Anyway, have fun with your purchases. There's nothing like the excitement of new scuba gear in the house!

 

[jared w]

Thanks,
I spent some time on the phone with Tobin and he steered me away from the integrated inflator/octo. I'll probably go with him since he spent an hour educating me.

 

[jared w]

Two thumbs up for TECHDIVINGLIMITED.COM VERY helpful and knowledgeable. I went with a Legend Aqualung regulator, a micron octopus, and a vyper 2 cmputer. I can't say enough good about them.

 

[halocline]

A BP/W is a good purchase; very, very few people have bought one and regretted it. There would also be an excellent resale market for a nice singles set up should you decide it's not for you. That is NOT the case with a standard BC.

Tobin's stuff is high quality and the package prices are hard to beat. One thing you have not talked about is an exposure suit; you really need to have an idea of what thickness wetsuit you'll be using before you can accurately determine how much weight you'll need. If you can determine that you're going to need 6lbs or more of weight (most people do with single tanks) then a steel plate is probably a good idea. There are situations in which an aluminum or plastic plate is better for some people, though, like with steel tanks in warm water. Tobin is very knowledgable with that sort of thing.

 

[jared w]

Ultimately I'd like to try my hand at cave diving but for the next couple years I cant think that I'll get in water much colder than 60 degrees. Given my experience swimming with manatees in even colder water I think that it's unlikely I'll put on more than a 7mm any time and will generally be diving in a 5mm.

I appreciate all the help, it was pricey but it doesn't look like I'll be outgrowing this setup soon. I really like that I can also just get a different wing as opposed to a whole new bcd when I do 2 tank stuff.

 

[Boxcar Overkill]

I like my Bp/w set up. I have a Frankenstien system with an Oxy Mac V extreme wing, Zeagle SS plate, Oxycheq STA, Dive-Rite harness and 2 SS cam bands.

It's so simple, you get to understand exactly what each part does and how it works. You have to spend a little effort to make the harness fit you just right, but everything is out in the open, and you get a pretty good understand of the strengths and weaknesses of your system.

Not bagging on jackets, because I know a lot of people who are really happy that they went that route. But my bp/w just seems more robust. I have a lot of faith in it.

 

[dcs917]

I dove a Zeagle Ranger for years, then switched to a BP/W. Even though they both have a back inflate wing, there are major differences and I have found the BP set-up to improve my diving substantially. Key reasons for me have been as follows:

- Weight distribution in closer to your center of gravity and allows a better - more stable - horizontal position in the water.
- Reduction of weight on belt. I use a SS Plate with STA, and do not carry any additional ballast. Keeping the weight close to you and well-distributed helps with point #1 above. The point can be argued about the need for ditchable weight, but I am able to swim my rig up, and am comfortable with the set-up.
- Compact wing/air cell reduces drag. I use use the Oxycheq Mach V, and it is a very compact wing with ample bouyancy for my configuration & typical exposure protection. This has also reduced my air consumption, increased my dive times, and more importantly - my enjoyment diving.
- Hog Harness offers secure attachment points for Pony Bottles, can lights, reels, plastic snakes, or other needed accessories.
- Modular system that can be adapted to many different wings and tank options quickly

Bottom line for me is that the BP/W is a stable, flexible system that can adapt to the type of diving needed. I'd recommend you test some of these out, and see if you like it! The harness does take some adjustment, but plenty of resources are on the Net to help you with this.

Dive Safe.

 

[Oxy]

I found this page that stopped the spin of options and helped get me back on track.
.
Why a backplate and wing - DIR Explorers
hope this helps Jared.
.
NOW
does anyone know where do I find a local dealer (any brand) to get visuals?
I would rather not drive all the way to Pasadena just to look