Pros and Cons of the various BP Harness Styles

[Teamcasa]

These would work. Too bad they are sold only to the military for $75 !

 

[Dtaine]

For hiking, I switched from steel adjustable slides to plastic hardware in the early 1980's. I use Marmot and Osprey packs with plastic hardware over 20 years for extended treks in the Sierras, Denali, etc. with no problems.

Plastic quick release failure? Preventive maintenance - check all gear that it is in working order; clean sand, dirt, or debris from mechanism; and replace any worn parts.

I've never had a problem with those brands either and yes maintenance can prevent many problems. However, I've had plenty of other pack straps and buckles break in the middle of hiking sections of the Appalachian Trail. Whether diving or hiking, hell in any sport, buying quality gear and maintaining it is a good way to prevent problems.

What would I do if I had a failure on my TransPac or TransPlate quick release and could not fix it right away? I would just loop the adjustment strap though the D-ring and dive.

Can I still exit the water with moderate surf over the rocks and boulders then hike back-up the steep cliff trail back to my truck? Yes, I can.

Can I loop and tie the adjustment strap at depth or while bobbing on the surface of the water? Yes, I can.

Do I think there is some risk of failure? Kind of remote. Most likely a rough exit slammed into the cliff or rocks by a wave or falling down while hiking against a rock. The old tank hit it scenario does not apply to my quick releases.

To each his own. I am into quality, comfort, performance, and reliability.
Dive Rite fits my needs.

Obviously a failure with a quick-release buckle isn't that big of a problem and I don't see it occurring during a dive (more likely before or after through some kind of collision). Do I really care if someone's harness has a plastic quick release - not really, but the issue of possible failure is one that each person should look at before choosing what harness is right for them.

 

[cmburch]

I understand your point of view. I was just giving mine.

 

[halocline]

I think the failure point issue is over rated, and given the very small load on the quick release buckles, it's very unlikely that they would break or present any imminent danger if they did. But, having dove with both the adjustable "comfort" harnesses and the hog rig, I find the hog rig much more comfortable for diving. It basically "disappears" when you dive leaving you feeling like you are not wearing any sort of harness. The extra buckles and fabric on the "comfort" harnesses are just added bulk to me, right in the spots where you don't want it. Many BP/W users start with the comfort or deluxe harnesses and eventually switch to the simple hog harness.

Now, carrying your tank on land, fine, get a nice padded backpack...whatever. But how about evaluating dive gear on the basis of it's performance while actually diving?

 

[Teamcasa]

Many BP/W users start with the comfort or deluxe harnesses and eventually switch to the simple hog harness.

I don't know if that is true or not overall, but it definitely is not true in cases I know. Given the really small number of BP/Hog divers out there it would be interesting to get the facts.

Now, carrying your tank on land, fine, get a nice padded backpack...whatever. But how about evaluating dive gear on the basis of it's performance while actually diving.

To your point of judging the comfort, performance and usability based only while diving, I doubt any competent diver would be able to tell the difference in water.

 

[fnfalman]

I know this much, one of the Dive Rite founders Lamar is using the TransPac which is the soft plate version of the TransPlate to do wreck, cave and exploratory diving. If he were to trust his life on this rig doing all these nasty dives, I can safely think that my meager recreational diving pursuits will be served just fine.

 

[halocline]

I don't know if that is true or not overall, but it definitely is not true in cases I know. Given the really small number of BP/Hog divers out there it would be interesting to get the facts.


To your point of judging the comfort, performance and usability based only while diving, I doubt any competent diver would be able to tell the difference in water.

We could ask Tobin; he sells both types of harnesses and would have some idea of diver preferences, not anything scientific or definitive. Regarding not being able to tell the difference between the two types of harness under water (if that's what you are saying), that's absolutely wrong; there's a very noticeable difference and that's why I use a hog harness now. I started with the Dive rite transplate harness.

 

[John_B]

I know this much, one of the Dive Rite founders Lamar is using the TransPac which is the soft plate version of the TransPlate to do wreck, cave and exploratory diving. If he were to trust his life on this rig doing all these nasty dives, I can safely think that my meager recreational diving pursuits will be served just fine.

Lamar dives a TransPac because even he can't afford the Nomad.