Back Plate: Steel or Aluminum?

[Lorenzoid]

This is a timely thread, as I'm about to purchase my first BP/W BC and have been pondering whether to get SS or Al (or Kydex). For tropical diving with a single Al 80, a SS plate may be best, but I am concerned about airline excess weight fees, which can be steep. My luggage is already often right at the weight limit. I just don't see how I can justify lugging a SS plate along when in the past I have literally left a pair of old shoes behind to avoid incurring an excess weight fee.

 

[Firefyter]

This is a timely thread, as I'm about to purchase my first BP/W BC and have been pondering whether to get SS or Al (or Kydex). For tropical diving with a single Al 80, a SS plate may be best, but I am concerned about airline excess weight fees, which can be steep. My luggage is already often right at the weight limit. I just don't see how I can justify lugging a SS plate along when in the past I have literally left a pair of old shoes behind to avoid incurring an excess weight fee.

The difference in a 6 lb. SS plate w/wing and a jacket style BC in my case was only a couple of pounds. I carry all my dive gear in carry on (which they never weigh, Thank God) and if I HAVE to check anything, it's the light stuff. YMMV.

 

[Insta-Gator]

This is a timely thread, as I'm about to purchase my first BP/W BC and have been pondering whether to get SS or Al (or Kydex). For tropical diving with a single Al 80, a SS plate may be best, but I am concerned about airline excess weight fees, which can be steep. My luggage is already often right at the weight limit. I just don't see how I can justify lugging a SS plate along when in the past I have literally left a pair of old shoes behind to avoid incurring an excess weight fee.

1. You're taking too much non-diving crap
2. SS plate is only 4# more than AL.
3. I love being perfectly weighted in my kit (see post 1) without having to add weights to my waist.

But it is personal choice.

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[James R]

My halcyon plate is only 3lbs heavier than my AL plates. I usually check two bags, never over 48lbs (to account for goodies, wet gear, etc) if I have the 50lb limit per bag. Even when I can have 70lbs x 3 the above usually applies. I carry on my camera, strobes, arms/clamps, reg, computer, and mask.

 

[ams511]

This is a timely thread, as I'm about to purchase my first BP/W BC and have been pondering whether to get SS or Al (or Kydex). For tropical diving with a single Al 80, a SS plate may be best, but I am concerned about airline excess weight fees, which can be steep. My luggage is already often right at the weight limit. I just don't see how I can justify lugging a SS plate along when in the past I have literally left a pair of old shoes behind to avoid incurring an excess weight fee.

The difference in weight between a SS plate and an AL plate is between 3-4 lbs. So if you are right at the limit then you may want the lighter plate and then add some weights to the cam straps using pockets. Even lighter would be a fabric plate that Zeagle and Oxycheq sells. Also don't forget the hardware adds weight so you may want to replace the metal d-rings and buckle with plastic.

 

[James R]

IMO if you are at the point of metal vs plastic d-rings to make minimum weight, you should probably re-evaluate what's on your packing list.

 

[Wookie]

Can't help you because the poll doesn't have the option of "Yes." Single tank rig? Steel for ballast. Heavy steel doubles? Aluminum to avoid overweighting as much as possible. Heavy steel doubles but monster insulation under the drysuit and multiple empty AL deco/stages adding buoyancy at the very end of the dive? Maybe back to the steel.

^What he said. Exactly.

 

[vladimir]

IMO if you are at the point of metal vs plastic d-rings to make minimum weight, you should probably re-evaluate what's on your packing list.

I disagree. Stuff adds up, and small changes like that can make the difference between diving your own gear and diving rental gear at some destinations. The float plane to Moyo Island, in Indonesia, for example, has a 15 kg luggage limit. That includes all your luggage. So if you want your metal D-rings, you might have to give up your camera.

 

[James R]

I'd rent gear and only take one pair of shorts before giving up my camera

 

[DCBC]

Usually Steel (Technical/Cold Water Ocean/Dry Suit).