What is a BP/W?
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grantwiscour
Contributor
:meeting:
A BPW or Backplate and Wing is a totally modular type of BC consisting of a steel, aluminum, or other type of solid plate, a detachable bladder or "wing" ,and most often a simple harness made of one piece of webbing. There are some that have quick releases and buckles like other types of BC's but they really are not needed. They have a number of characteristics that make them preferred by more than few divers.
1. simple design
2. modular - you can switch wings easily for different needs
3. Once set up they fit. Every time. You fit them to you. Not try to fit some mfg idea of what size you are
4. They don't have lots of useless pockets and extra d rings you don;t really need. Unless you want to junk it up with lots of crap.
5. They do help you trim out better as they put the weight where you need it. Over your lungs.
6. They generally cost less initially
7. Very little to go wrong with them.
8. They hold their value much better than other types of BC's
9. Some people believe that they are not for new divers or only for tech divers. They are WRONG. Usually this view is spread by those who don't know how to set them up or don't sell them.
There are jackets, back inflates, hybrids (combination back inflate and jacket) BPW's, sidemount rigs, horsecollars, and those who do not use a BC. Did your instructor not go over this during your OW class? He/she should have.
1. simple design
2. modular - you can switch wings easily for different needs
3. Once set up they fit. Every time. You fit them to you. Not try to fit some mfg idea of what size you are
4. They don't have lots of useless pockets and extra d rings you don;t really need. Unless you want to junk it up with lots of crap.
5. They do help you trim out better as they put the weight where you need it. Over your lungs.
6. They generally cost less initially
7. Very little to go wrong with them.
8. They hold their value much better than other types of BC's
9. Some people believe that they are not for new divers or only for tech divers. They are WRONG. Usually this view is spread by those who don't know how to set them up or don't sell them.
There are jackets, back inflates, hybrids (combination back inflate and jacket) BPW's, sidemount rigs, horsecollars, and those who do not use a BC. Did your instructor not go over this during your OW class? He/she should have.
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3D diver
Contributor
FWIW: These didn't exsist when I took my openwater class, 1981, and weren't common (as far as I know) when I had to stop diving in 2004. Now that I'm back I'm very interested...
Backplate and wing setups ARE back-inflate BCs. The difference between them and other back-inflates is that they come completely apart (the flotation bladder can be removed from the plate) and they use a simple, rigid plate to support the tank. In addition, the harness that connects the plate to the diver can be removed, and there are options for the type of harness you use. You can also configure the harness the way you want, by putting D-rings where you want them.
The flip side of all this flexibility is that you have to put a little more energy into setting the rig up, and you may have to purchase additional pieces for it, like weight pockets or pouches. And since they don't come with pockets, you have to figure out where to put little things. (Most of us put pockets on our exposure protection.)
The flip side of all this flexibility is that you have to put a little more energy into setting the rig up, and you may have to purchase additional pieces for it, like weight pockets or pouches. And since they don't come with pockets, you have to figure out where to put little things. (Most of us put pockets on our exposure protection.)
Moonglow
Contributor
ScubaPro had a BP/W by 1971 made with a hard plastic (nylon) backpack; we have a perfect unused 1975 set in our shop. The modern BP/W has been used since 1979, starting in use with North Florida cave divers. The major advance was the invention of the v-wedge in the backplate made of metal, which allowed for the tanks to sit stable close to the back-- invented by a then twenty year-old Greg Flanagen in his garage.
a22shady
Contributor
Buy It... Enjoy it..... You wont need another BC or shouldn't. Maybe an extra wing for doubles when your ready but thats it.
BPW as others stated consist of a Steel plate, most 1 single piece of webbing, wing, Couple D-ring for placement of lights etc. Its a very low key simplisitc Idea. Less pouch's, Hooks plastic breakable clips etc... If you break something ona traditional BC setup chances are it's expensive or you might be buying whole new BC. If you break something on something like this it's usually the hose/inflator/wing/webbing. Other than the wing the other are relativly inexpensive and are easy fix's.
All kidding aside there a lot of very good Manufactures who make BP/W systems and all are very good. You will hear some say others are better. But others I would mention that I have personally seen are the (Halcyon / DSS "Deep Sea Supply" owner is Tobin he is on this board and very helpful makes great product. / Diverite / HOG). Hog being the least expensive. from what I saw is as good as others. in my opinon Halcyon is probably 1 amongst most people becuase of there reputation(great customer service solid product) but DSS is right there in top. Halcyon is the Most expensive and others are little lower. The only difference in which is better and I can't confirm just what others have said that know more about this than I do is that Halcyons wings are better. I don't why or what make them special nor do I want to get into a big wing discussion. I do dive a halcyon system and it works great for me. I have budddie's that dive the Diverite/DSS/HOG and they too are equally pleased.
Try out every type you can and see what you like. As Jim said the best thing about these BC's is that they are not one size. These are all customized to fit you. So the size is what ever size you are. No more of that BC riding up or sliding or shifting. If you go to a competant dealer who set's it up correctly you should be good unless a majpor weight switch and in which you only need to re-size the straps.
BPW as others stated consist of a Steel plate, most 1 single piece of webbing, wing, Couple D-ring for placement of lights etc. Its a very low key simplisitc Idea. Less pouch's, Hooks plastic breakable clips etc... If you break something ona traditional BC setup chances are it's expensive or you might be buying whole new BC. If you break something on something like this it's usually the hose/inflator/wing/webbing. Other than the wing the other are relativly inexpensive and are easy fix's.
All kidding aside there a lot of very good Manufactures who make BP/W systems and all are very good. You will hear some say others are better. But others I would mention that I have personally seen are the (Halcyon / DSS "Deep Sea Supply" owner is Tobin he is on this board and very helpful makes great product. / Diverite / HOG). Hog being the least expensive. from what I saw is as good as others. in my opinon Halcyon is probably 1 amongst most people becuase of there reputation(great customer service solid product) but DSS is right there in top. Halcyon is the Most expensive and others are little lower. The only difference in which is better and I can't confirm just what others have said that know more about this than I do is that Halcyons wings are better. I don't why or what make them special nor do I want to get into a big wing discussion. I do dive a halcyon system and it works great for me. I have budddie's that dive the Diverite/DSS/HOG and they too are equally pleased.
Try out every type you can and see what you like. As Jim said the best thing about these BC's is that they are not one size. These are all customized to fit you. So the size is what ever size you are. No more of that BC riding up or sliding or shifting. If you go to a competant dealer who set's it up correctly you should be good unless a majpor weight switch and in which you only need to re-size the straps.
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Aqua-Andy
Contributor
One of the mods should pin this post to the top of the forum. Also maybe give some examples of some rigs. Knowing what I know now I would have gone to a BP/W right from the get go but like a lot of people I purchased a jacket style BC because that is what I was trained in and knew. One thing jacket and regular back inflate BC's have going for them is it is an all in one package, you get the BC, harness, tank mounting hardware, and very common now your weight system, one purchase does it all. The reason I went with a jacket first is because of the daunting task of piecing together a system and making sure all the components work together and not knowing anything about the system. So maybe one good post to start and then some examples and pictures of the complete rigs and then of the component pieces with links for purchase.
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