Wanted: BP/Wing system for a new Diver

[p1p]

I just bought this

Zeagle Deluxe Harness Backplate System discounts on sale Zeagle

With the Zeagle Inflator Regulator (no Oct/2nd reg necessary) is a great recreational diver BP that fits the minimalist mindset.

Personally, I dont like all one piece BP webbing setup's.

 

[Blue Sparkle]

I just bought this

Zeagle Deluxe Harness Backplate System discounts on sale Zeagle

With the Zeagle Inflator Regulator (no Oct/2nd reg necessary) is a great recreational diver BP that fits the minimalist mindset.

Personally, I dont like all one piece BP webbing setup's.

One potential problem I see with that is that -- unless it's mentioned somewhere on that page where I can't see it -- that's a "one size fits all" plate. That probably means it's around 15" tall. At 5'2", it's hard to imagine that is going to be an optimum fit for the OP (which stands to reason when you look at some of the fit tests and imagine that this plate will fit, for example, someone 6' tall).

I have dived a "one size fits all" plate and I did make it work; but it was not ideal and so I would not purposely buy one when there are smaller ones available that fit me just right.

 

[DevonDiver]

I just bought this..... a great recreational diver BP

In all honesty, can you give such a wholehearted recommendation on equipment that you've only just purchased and started using?

fits the minimalist mindset....I dont like all one piece BP webbing setup's.

Sort of quasi-minimalist then really?

Minimalist, with a bit of extra added-on.

 

[TSandM]

I know a number of people who have opted for "comfort" or "deluxe" harnesses, and in a short period of time, they're using webbing like the rest of us. Of course, gear choices are personal, but sometimes it is instructive to know the evolution someone further down the pike than you are has gone through

A properly adjusted harness has no need for releases or a chest strap, and gives you infinite flexibility to put d-rings where you can reach them and use them easily.

 

[scubadiver888]

Alice,

You mention using the BP/W for vacation diving. You might want to think about weighting and travel restriction. If you are flying to dive vacations, a lighter aluminium or kydex plate might work better. It will drop 4 to 6 pounds off your luggage. Plus, if you are diving say a 3mm shorty (or even full) on vacation you might find the SS plate too heavy. If you get an aluminium plate and a v-weight between the tank and plate it will be as heavy as a SS plate for diving at home. You can leave the v-weight at home and dive just the plate when on vacation.

You need to check thought. It could be that you'll be fine in tropical waters with a SS plate. You just will have a lot less ditchable weight. For me, I bought a SS plate for diving at home (just because I wear so much weight it is nice to get a little off the hips) and will buy an aluminium plate for travel.

You REALLY should take TSandM up on her offer. The best way to decide what you like is get in the water with it.

 

[Blue Sparkle]

You might want to think about weighting and travel restriction. If you are flying to dive vacations, a lighter aluminium or kydex plate might work better. It will drop 4 to 6 pounds off your luggage. Plus, if you are diving say a 3mm shorty (or even full) on vacation you might find the SS plate too heavy.

That's a good thought for consideration. One thing somewhat unique to the Small-size SS plate (if that's what she ends up with) is that it's 3.8 lbs. instead of ~5-6 lbs., so it's a bit lighter. I'm fairly buoyant (she may not be), and with the Small plate I'm just neutral with a full 60-80-ish aluminum tank and no exposure protection. So I just add weight for air compensation.

However, I did just pick up a Kydex (light like aluminum) plate to try. I don't tend to fly, but there are a couple of reasons I wanted to try one (and it was used/economical):

1) For times such as certain steel tanks + warm water

2) Because I find that I'm often head heavy, and I thought I'd see how I would trim out with a bit more weight on my belt and less over my upper torso.

That said, if I were "home diving" in Seattle's waters, I think that for myself I would still get a steel plate first, and then figure that if it didn't work for traveling I would also get a lighter plate. I like that it's a bit heavier and also (depending on brand) that there is the option to add weight plates.

But that all depends on one's approach. At first I had the idea that I would try to be really "efficient," and get all gear that would be multi-purpose so that I wouldn't have to duplicate. But then I changed my mind and decided to optimize my gear for my near-future diving (which for me was warm-water), and then get additional gear if/when I started diving elsewhere. I'm glad I took that approach as I have really enjoyed the warm-water-specific gear.

Now if I could just get DIVING and try that new plate. It's just sitting here mocking me! :splat:

 

[TSandM]

I used a SS backplate for several years in both cold and warm water, and it worked fine. Somehow, I can always find 3 lbs of weight savings in the luggage somewhere

I now have a Kydex plate I use for warm water diving, but I use it as much because I have the harness set for thin undergarments as because of any weight savings.