Equipment Questions from New Divers

[DocWong]

I'd recommend trying the backplate and wing. The very first time I tried one on and got into the water, it took only about 15 minutes into the water that I knew this was what I wanted to dive in and never looked back.

I found that it was much more streamlined, simple, efficient, was not positive in buoyancy, in fact -6 lbs, so less weight, etc.

Anyone I know that went to a backplate has liked it.

On your system, you can always wear a weight belt if you're concerned that the integrated weight pockets might fall off.

 

[ae3753]

Michael,

Welcome to the NorCal forum! Lots of us dive every weekend so let us know when you're headed to the ocean next. As you can tell, everyone likes to talk gear, so it's easy to see a lot of options in person.

Like other posters, I'm a big proponent of a backplate and wing, especially for local cold water diving:
1. Improved weight distribution. The 6#s from SS plate moves weight off the waist and improves trim in the water.
2. Streamlined. Cold water diving already requires thick exposure protection, I don't want a thick BC too. A bp/wing has little bulk and actually has less buoyancy as well.
3. Flexibility/growth. A bp/wing system grows with you. This system is good for warm water diving, cold water diving, deep dives, cave dives, wreck dives, etc. Replace a wing, and you're customized for the environment.

I've always liked Deep Sea Supply (DSS), especially the single-tank set-up.

 

[Anti-Hero]

^ What he said.

 

[Hinalo]

Fisheater makes a great point about integrated weights in BCs in cold water. Even if you distribute your lead between a weight belt and BC trim and ditchable pockets that makes the scuba rig fairly heavy for cold water diving. Especially with 2 piece wet suites. You notice this when lifting the rig to put it on and when walking over rocks, stairs, sand to get to the water and then back again ofter the dive. It's one of the reasons I switched over: my bp/w was lighter and I needed less lead overall.

 

[mcace007]

Holy crap! I am both scared and excited! I can not wait to get back in to the water! At the end of the day I want to have a great dive day! I look forward to meeting you all! At this point BW is so ominous but we want to check it out! Our check out dive was short and sad. Shore diving. Scarry! But we're in!

Still gotta rent 7mm though!

THANKS ALL!!!!

Michael

 

[mikemill]

Michael,

Welcome to the NorCal forum! Lots of us dive every weekend so let us know when you're headed to the ocean next. As you can tell, everyone likes to talk gear, so it's easy to see a lot of options in person.

Like other posters, I'm a big proponent of a backplate and wing, especially for local cold water diving:
1. Improved weight distribution. The 6#s from SS plate moves weight off the waist and improves trim in the water.
2. Streamlined. Cold water diving already requires thick exposure protection, I don't want a thick BC too. A bp/wing has little bulk and actually has less buoyancy as well.
3. Flexibility/growth. A bp/wing system grows with you. This system is good for warm water diving, cold water diving, deep dives, cave dives, wreck dives, etc. Replace a wing, and you're customized for the environment.

I've always liked Deep Sea Supply (DSS), especially the single-tank set-up.

I agree with Don but wanted to add one more thing: You need to change your name, there are already too many Michael's around here

 

[Jim Ernst]

I agree with Don but wanted to add one more thing: You need to change your name, there are already too many Michael's around here

I also love and am in favor of the BP/W, By the way , don't change your name, we will change Mikemills TO butthead

 

[Ben_ca]

Holy crap! I am both scared and excited! I can not wait to get back in to the water! At the end of the day I want to have a great dive day! I look forward to meeting you all! At this point BW is so ominous but we want to check it out! Our check out dive was short and sad. Shore diving. Scarry! But we're in!

Still gotta rent 7mm though!

THANKS ALL!!!!

Michael

Well if you are at the BW tomorrow come and say hi...

Just ask the guys in doubles and scooters to point out Ben or Don.

 

[ryssyr]

I have the Mares Ariel BCD, and my weight pockets have fallen out several times. Not a big enough deal to be considered an emergency, I split my weight between my weight pockets and my BCD pockets, 6 lbs. in each pocket and 6 pounds on my weight belt, so, dropping 1/3 of my ditchable weight isn't going to cause me to shoot to the surface, might make me swim a bit buoyant on one side, but isn't going to shoot me to the surface. The pockets, however, you have to buy in a set to replace and they're about $40 for the left and right.
I chose the Mares Ariel BCD because I am big-chested and the cut of it doesn't come straight across my chest. It's also a back inflate for stability and doesn't puff up in the front.
I am most likely going to give mine up for a BP/W, though the first issue I see with going the BP/W direction is that I'll have no pockets (I dive wet).

you can always glue a pocket to your wetsuit thigh. I did that for my semi dry and I just glued a pocket onto my 3/2mm thats going on a trip with me tomorrow.

edit: didnt see that Jim beat me to the punch on the glue reply.

 

[andrewy]

WBP is a way to go here 100% , and if you large guy then you really got to look at WBP as you can adjust harness anyway you want. I have old wing and plate if you want to try drop me message in PM.