Bp/w vs jacket

[Splitlip]

Vests were originally an excellent piece of equipment. Some still are. To boost sales, some folks started adding "features." Things like padding, cummerbunds until eventually some divers were looking like the Michelin man. All these "features" actually make diving harder, but uninformed folks think they are nice to have, so they continue to sell. It got to the point where many people think all vests have these "features" and many of those who think about their diving, started using a BP/wing instead. Others simply stayed with vests that dopn't have those "features." Well, a BP/wing is used by many "tec" divers, so it's gotta be cool. If Susy Creamcheese uses a BP/wing, she'll be cool too. Only trouble is, Susy loves her "features." Several years ago, folks started putting those "features" on BP/wings. Anyone want to guess how long it will be before the majority of BP/wings have those cute little "features" that make diving harder?

Suzy Creamcheese . MOI!

Oh. I agree. LOL

 

[romaf]

Thanks a lot mikeguerrero, I appreciate it.

I'll consider your advice!

 

[Stu S.]

winners will float to the top.

Yes. That is a nice characteristic of any BC.

 

[it_mike]

Hi everyone!

Currently I'm using a DIVERITE SUPERWINGS wing that is designed for dual tank diving. The problem is that I never dive with dual tanks, so I found proper balancing a bit hard issue with such an enormous wing.

This is getting worse, because I've just started UW photography, where proper balance and stability is a must have.

Will I have the same problem with a wing designed for single tanks? I'm falling in love with HOLLIS ATS but I'm a bit afraid of the problem stated above.

Should I use a full rounded wing, such as APEKS WTX32? Probably this has the best balance between the two wings.

I'd really appreciate some help.
Thanks guys, and have fun diving!

Don't forget the OxyCheq Mach V. We all have our favorites, I just think this one provides the best trim.

 

[DevonDiver]

Has anyone noticed how some of the BP 'systems' being put out by the BP makers are starting to look like back-inflate jackets?
The OMS IQ pack and its brothers the Comfort Harness system I & II?
The Dive-Rite Transpac?

Weren't BP/W setups supposed to limit failure points in a harness?
Single piece webbing instead of chest and/or shoulder releases?

The only thing being retained is the ability to swap out the wings.

It's all about consumer demand. People making their initial shift from jacket BCDs to BP/W often are not educated about what a BP/W is supposed to provide, and why.

Comfort type harnesses, as you mentioned, simply pander to some consumers lack of education and awareness.

Most people who buy them, rapidly end up selling them once they have gained some experience and education on how to dive a BP/W.

 

[Walter]

It's all about consumer demand. People making their initial shift from jacket BCDs to BP/W often are not educated about what a BP/W is supposed to provide, and why.

Comfort type harnesses, as you mentioned, simply pander to some consumers lack of education and awareness.

Most people who buy them, rapidly end up selling them once they have gained some experience and education on how to dive a BP/W.

This is the exact same change that happened with vest style BCs and for the exact same reasons.

 

[Teamcasa]

This whole argument cracks me up.

Sure, a jacket BC, designed for the single tank, recreational diver is not going to work very well for strapping on a set of doubles or going deep inside some cave but for cruising the reef, drifting by some nice wall or visiting the exterior of a nice warm water wreck, it will work just fine. And, since most of the divers around the world dive in the later situations it's no surprise they make up the lion's share of BC sales.

BC's of any fashion, is just another piece of dive gear. If you don't use it properly or take proper care of it you are not going to have a good experience with it.

I use a hybrid, the WTX Harness and for me, it fits the bill. Comfortable, secure, stable and has the added flexibility to adapt to whatever diving I feel like doing.

The notion that if one group feels you don't need it, then it must be unnecessary, evil, dangerous or just silly is nothing more than a little chest thumping.

One size fits all may apply to a snuggly but it does not apply to dive gear.

 

[romaf]

Mikeguerrero,

I think that the Apeks WTX Harness with the 32 wing will be the winner. As I found on the site, the harness is available in 3 different sizes. What does this mean? Different size of backplate? Or only the straps have different length?

I'd also install Apeks backplate and the surelock system. What is the actual weight of your system, including backplate and the wing (without any other weights in the pockets or in the backplate) ?

Thanks!

 

[*dave*]

It's all about consumer demand. People making their initial shift from jacket BCDs to BP/W often are not educated about what a BP/W is supposed to provide, and why.

In some cases, yes. In most cases, I believe it's all about marketing and limited knowledge on the part of the LDS.

Manufacturers are constantly redesigning their products. Their marketing departments think up grand ideas to sell the products, then the reps pimp them to the LDS. Hearing nothing but good about a product from the rep, the LDS is content to sing the same song as the mfr rep..

When I got back into diving, I was looking for a BP/W. I didn't know the term, but I knew the rig, having dived an AT-PAC exclusively for years. I described what I was looking for and was informed that no such beast existed. They were antiquated and replaced by jackets. I hated jackets, but listened to the 'pros' and ended up with a Black Diamond.

Considering most divers sole source of information is the LDS or other divers whose sole source of info is the LDS, they are really getting a fraction of the big picture. They aren't making informed choices on gear. It seems to me manufacturers are calling the plays and the LDS is making the play.

 

[cool_hardware52]

In some cases, yes. In most cases, I believe it's all about marketing and limited knowledge on the part of the LDS.

I agree

Manufacturers are constantly redesigning their products. Their marketing departments think up grand ideas to sell the products, then the reps pimp them to the LDS. Hearing nothing but good about a product from the rep, the LDS is content to sing the same song as the mfr rep..

Big brand names struggle to sell simplicity, just look at todays BC vs the first STAB Jackets.

Considering most divers sole source of information is the LDS or other divers whose sole source of info is the LDS, they are really getting a fraction of the big picture. They aren't making informed choices on gear. It seems to me manufacturers are calling the plays and the LDS is making the play.

That's fortunately changing. Knowledge is power and the internet shifts the power from retailer to the consumer. This is true across all retail, not just diving.

No longer is the customer at the last kid in a line playing "telephone"

They step to the front and often have better information than the retailer does.

Every time a retailer tells me "My customers buy what I tell them to buy" I make a mental note to see if they are still in business in a few years.

Tobin