bp/w - jacket - back inflation ???

[Crush]

That issue simply doesn't exist in BP/W (and i assume most back-inflates?).

I am going to trigger a pile-on, but at this early stage having done only five dives in my BP/w I find that it feels very much like my rear-inflate Scout. When properly adjusted the BP/w stays glued to my body. When properly cinched, the Zeagle Scout stays glued to my body. Both rear-inflate. Both are stable in the water, etc.. The Scout is lighter (despite the fact that my BP is AL for travel reasons) but the BP/w is slightly more compact. I am told however that if I use the BP/w then I will be cooler and the women will flock to me... It clearly must take more than five dives...

 

[halocline]

Hey guys

This has probably been asked before, though i couldn't find a simple enough post for me to really understand it.

But basically what's the difference between a jacket BCD, a BP/W set, and a back inflation bcd ?

Oh good, it's been at least a week since this topic has been beaten to a bloody pulp and I've been missing it.

 

[TSandM]

mpetryk, I don't think you are missing anything. A good back-inflate BC, especially if it incorporates a rigid support for the tank, will work very much like a backplate setup. What it WON'T do is move five pounds up onto your back (but if it has properly placed trim pockets, you can do that yourself), and it may well still require a couple of pounds of weight to sink. But my husband is a big fan of his SeaQuest Balance, and says he really doesn't find much difference between it and his backplate, except the backplate has a crotch strap and can be used with a scooter

There are some non-diving advantages to plate/wing setups, like the fact that you can put different wings on for different diving applications, and replace the harness when it wears out without replacing the whole BC. But to me, the biggest difference is jacket versus back inflate, and the differences between back inflate BCs and back inflate backplate/wing setups is smaller.

 

[Divedoggie]

My backplate/wing is great when I dive dry for all of the reasons others have stated. It also offers the perfect platform for my doubles.
When I teach or dive warm water and am only using 2 to 8 lbs of weight, I prefer a BCD. For the last 6 years that has been a Zeagle Ranger and for a number of years before that, it was a Seaquest Balance. Actually used the old Balance in the pool for class today.

My Zeagle Ranger has interchangeable wings, shoulder straps, waste strap, etc. It can be completely customized to fit perfectly. It has a crotch strap with SR, which I don't use while teaching but do use when out diving for fun. Pockets and weight system are low profile, convenient and streamlined.

Due to urging from some fellow scubaboarders, I picked up an aluminum bp and a 25lb wing and have been trying it out, doing back to back comparisons with the Ranger. I have to admit that I'm beginning to like it better than the Ranger. I like the simplicity and I like flexibility with stowing accessories. When really put to the test, it ultimately is more stable and easier to have perfect trim with. It really is splitting hairs though. They are both good.

 

[Kern]

I didn't find any massive difference between my BP/W, TP, or SQ Pro Unlimited when it comes to the things that each is good at. It's just that the SQ became quite limited in what it could be deployed for. The TP however could do most of the things a BP/W can. So the main difference for me, becomes, the uncluttered rig, no intrinsic buoyancy to be overcome with extra weight, the movement of weight to the centre of the back in a solid dispersed mass, that a BP/W can be deployed easily, & will be the perfect tool for, any sort of diving except possibly side mounting.

I did several hundred dives over many years on both the SQ, & the TP, but for the last 3 years or so, BP/W's are all I'v owned.

Having said that, I don't care what anyone else uses. If it does the job at hand, & they're happy with it, its all good.

 

[raskous]

wow i started a fire !!
Well to be honest i was really confused after reading all your replies...

But then i read that post lsorenson provided on DIR explorers

And it had everything needed for me to understand exactly what it was...
Now i get it.
I can understand why there's so much debate going around now about this...
I have to say that BP/W certainly have some obvious advantages, even just for buoyancy.

I guess i'll try to do a test with one of those next time i go diving.
Unfortunately China is a ****ty place to dive, all the coral/life is gone from every coasts...
It'll have to wait for my next phillippines getaway

Thanks a lot everyone for your replies, i wasn't thinking of buying it by the way i was just curious what those were.

 

[Crush]

wow i started a fire !!

This thread was a non-event compared to the monthly BP vs BC debate. We have all been quite polite.

Thanks a lot everyone for your replies, i wasn't thinking of buying it by the way i was just curious what those were.

It helped us stay in practice.