Another BP/W thread

[skimphish]

sorry about this guys, but im trying to figure this out.

so im a starting diver. i have about 15 dives under my belt, and am now enrolled in an AOW at my college (too good of an offer to pass up). I have all of my set-up except for some sort of BC. i have read on here that most people go for the BP/W setups. but i ask why? from what i have seen there are no pockets to hold anything, but its a very sleek design (big plus i know). so why would i go with a BP/W over a vest style BC? i am very interested in the BP/W setup, but would like to know the advantages.

also, what size backplate should i be looking at? i usually use about 10# in saltwater, but i think i could go with less. i used the calculator at the top of this section, and it shows that i need about 25.4# of weight and no lead.

here are my "dimensions":

6'0"
160lbs
38"
28" waist (yes, i have a tiny waste)

thanks guys! and sorry about the newbness

 

[elan]

not again, please

 

[Shark Bait!]

Broken search function i guess.. I mean you can really just stroll through the last 5 pages and see a kabillion BP/W vs jacket BC posts here....

uggh fine ill say it...
you can just call Tobin from Deep Sea Supply and he can catch you up to speed.

 

[rstofer]

Why not just read the 400+ responses to this thread?

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...ystems/291653-bp-w-i-officially-dont-get.html

Richard

 

[Brewski]

Why not just read the 400+ responses to this thread?

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...ystems/291653-bp-w-i-officially-dont-get.html

Richard

Because there's nothing usefull here after page one.

Call Tobin.

 

[rstofer]

what size backplate should i be looking at?

Many backplates only come in one size. Deep Sea Supply has different sizes. Just look at the backplate descriptions to find out the recommended heights.

i usually use about 10# in saltwater, but i think i could go with less. i used the calculator at the top of this section, and it shows that i need about 25.4# of weight and no lead.

Maybe because the spreadsheet assumes a wetsuit that has a bunch of buoyancy. If you dive in warm water and want to have any ditchable weight, don't buy the stainless steel plate. If you use 10# and the aluminum plate is 2#, you will still have 8# of ditchable weight.

Richard

 

[Jasonmh]

...most people go for the BP/W setups.

They don't. Alot of people who use them like them, but sales wise there are waaaay more traditional-ish BCs sold VS BP&W.

... from what i have seen there are no pockets to hold anything...

Ahh.. but the pockets are one of my FAVORITE things about a BP&W. Most of the BCs I have owned and used had nearly worthless pockets. They can be hard to reach into, too small, confusing, etc etc. With the BP&W, you can choose where to put pockets, what size they are, how they open, or you can put pockets on your exposure suit.

 

[charlesg3]

fwiw... Pockets on BCs aren't very good as they're really difficult to access. For the most-part I just clip everything off... but if you really want pockets get them on the outside of your leg on your exposure suit.

 

[DevonDiver]

Not including the advice often given here on SB...BP/W are the best kept secret in diving. The majority of recreational instructors will not have experience using them...and will, consequently, just recommend what they know - jacket bcds.

BP/W is an investment for the diver who is willing to take the time and effort to really develop the configuration of the kit they dive in. It is for divers who really care about having a reliable, rugged and well-performing buoyancy device. It is for divers care about practicality and performance over gimmicks, fanciness and sales-pitch. It is for divers who want to perfect their buoyancy, trim and control in the water.

 

[skimphish]

not again, please

i figured it would start this way

Broken search function i guess.. I mean you can really just stroll through the last 5 pages and see a kabillion BP/W vs jacket BC posts here....

uggh fine ill say it...
you can just call Tobin from Deep Sea Supply and he can catch you up to speed.

and continue this way....

Why not just read the 400+ responses to this thread?

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...ystems/291653-bp-w-i-officially-dont-get.html

Richard

and end kinda like this... lol.

Because there's nothing usefull here after page one.

Call Tobin.

or this....
i knew there would be some flaming. sorry for the repetitive thread. mods, if you want to you can close this one up. im a gear head and do lots of work on cars, so im used to doing the flaming of ppl on car forums. i guess this is what its like being a newb. lol.

Ahh.. but the pockets are one of my FAVORITE things about a BP&W. Most of the BCs I have owned and used had nearly worthless pockets. They can be hard to reach into, too small, confusing, etc etc. With the BP&W, you can choose where to put pockets, what size they are, how they open, or you can put pockets on your exposure suit.

i thought the same thing after using a traditional BC. the pockets are rather difficult to get anything in or out of. i didnt know that you could really attach pockets to the BP/W. so thanks for the info!