Dive Rite Transplate vs Apeks WTX Deluxe, Help.

[halocline]

I'm really learning a lot here, my financials won't allow me to make too many mistakes with expensive purchases so I'm very happy to listen to what everybody here has to say.

Try the basic webbing harness first; it's very cheap and for the majority of BP/W users also the most comfortable and convenient. There's a reason so many divers prefer it, and you won't realize why until you get it in the water.

 

[52brandon]

Since OP mention double, I suggest going with a hard plate. And even if you need to change things around, go with basic harness first. If you really find you need more adjustability later, then spend the money on the fancy harness. Chances are you won't go there.

I started with the thought like yours, went with transplate. I used it for 2 years, and liked it. It took a lot of convincing for me to try out basic harness. And once I did, I stayed there. As for comfort, you will be surprised, even without all the padding, basic harness is MORE comfortable even in t-short. And amount a couple comfort harnesses I have used, transplate is actually one of the lesser comfortable one. The main issue is the should pad design. They are too wide and too stiff. They keep cutting onto my neck.

how is that? Forgive my ignorance, but it just goes against al my logic. The transplate fits me perfectly and has padding. I honestly don't see how a harness could be any more comfortable

You can put together a basic harness including crotch strap for about $30-$35. Diverite transplate harness goes for $130 without a crotch strap. Later, if you decide to switch to tranplate, the crotch strap can be re-used. So you waste $20 at most. In fact, most of the hardware will be useful later. If cost matter, this is the most safe way to go.

great post. Every bit of a basic harness could be reused as parts in the transplate. The main reason I went with the transplate over a basic first was that I got it for a great deal. Otherwise, I would have gotten a basic harness as my first. I will likely still get a basic harness for backup parts. Extra cinches, D rings and webbing, can't go wrong with that for any harness

 

[eelnoraa]

how is that? Forgive my ignorance, but it just goes against al my logic. The transplate fits me perfectly and has padding. I honestly don't see how a harness could be any more comfortable

Regarding why basic harness is more comfortable, it is a little counter intuitive at first. Think about under water, not on land. If you dive in tropics with no exposure suit, your rig should be more or less neutral to begin with. The basic harness does nothing more than secure the rig on your back. There shouldn't be much weight on the harness at all. If you dive in cold water, where you rig is negative, but you are also in thick suit, then the suit is for padding. But even that, your rig shouldn't weight much in water. Next time you dive your transplate, feel your shoulder strap once you get settle down under water (neutrally buoyant and in trim), you should straps are not tightly test on your shoulder. In fact, it is the whole reason why BC has a chest strap. Without that, your should strap may just slide off. In other words, the shoulder pads do nothing in water. Now, if you have to hike 2 miles in your rig to get to your dive site, yes, shoulder padding is helpful

The 2nd reason is the fit. With basic harness, proper adjustment is comfortable. With basic harness, once adjusted , things stay. and since the webbing is quite soft in water, it confines to you body. It won't slide off. That is why you don't see chest strap with basic harness. With transplate, the fit will be different every time you mess with the quick release/adjustment. Sure you can lock down the adjustment with tri glides, but then all you are getting is easier don/doff. Proper fit is comfort, not additional padding.

The 3rd reason is specific to transplate's poorly design shoulder pads. They are very stiff and quite wide, not comfortable at all. A example of good shoulder pads are the ones in Halcyon Infiniti. Very soft and comfy.

The last reason for me to leave transplate for good is the number of d-rings. Too many aren't necessary good. During a dive, you really can't look at the d-ring then clip things there. You go by muscle memory for clipping, and by feel of your hand for unclip. With the kind of implementation in transplate, you are very likely reach a different d-ring than the one you intended to use. There are really 3 on each shoulder. Two intended d-rings and one for holding the quick release buckle/chest strap. Just too many. One on each shoulder is just right. You always know you reach the right d-ring.

Basic harness are not without its shortcomings. The major one is getting in and out of it if you wear thick suit. It really takes some get used to. Then it is the comfort level on land for long period of hike/walk, which I have no intention to do.

 

[Centrals]

10 yrs ago Halcyon had only one kind of harness but now!!!! Money talk!!
Life would be really boring if everyone dives the same config from same make!!!!

 

[MichigandiverJon]

Regarding why basic harness is more comfortable, it is a little counter intuitive at first. Think about under water, not on land. If you dive in tropics with no exposure suit, your rig should be more or less neutral to begin with. The basic harness does nothing more than secure the rig on your back. There shouldn't be much weight on the harness at all. If you dive in cold water, where you rig is negative, but you are also in thick suit, then the suit is for padding. But even that, your rig shouldn't weight much in water. Next time you dive your transplate, feel your shoulder strap once you get settle down under water (neutrally buoyant and in trim), you should straps are not tightly test on your shoulder. In fact, it is the whole reason why BC has a chest strap. Without that, your should strap may just slide off. In other words, the shoulder pads do nothing in water. Now, if you have to hike 2 miles in your rig to get to your dive site, yes, shoulder padding is helpful

The 2nd reason is the fit. With basic harness, proper adjustment is comfortable. With basic harness, once adjusted , things stay. and since the webbing is quite soft in water, it confines to you body. It won't slide off. That is why you don't see chest strap with basic harness. With transplate, the fit will be different every time you mess with the quick release/adjustment. Sure you can lock down the adjustment with tri glides, but then all you are getting is easier don/doff. Proper fit is comfort, not additional padding.

The 3rd reason is specific to transplate's poorly design shoulder pads. They are very stiff and quite wide, not comfortable at all. A example of good shoulder pads are the ones in Halcyon Infiniti. Very soft and comfy.

The last reason for me to leave transplate for good is the number of d-rings. Too many aren't necessary good. During a dive, you really can't look at the d-ring then clip things there. You go by muscle memory for clipping, and by feel of your hand for unclip. With the kind of implementation in transplate, you are very likely reach a different d-ring than the one you intended to use. There are really 3 on each shoulder. Two intended d-rings and one for holding the quick release buckle/chest strap. Just too many. One on each shoulder is just right. You always know you reach the right d-ring.

Basic harness are not without its shortcomings. The major one is getting in and out of it if you wear thick suit. It really takes some get used to. Then it is the comfort level on land for long period of hike/walk, which I have no intention to do.

eelnoraa, Thank you for that great explanation! I'm the kind of guy who really needs to know the reasons why one way is better than the other. Everybody here has been so helpful Thank you all! I love reading all your explanations, I'm learning so much!

 

[52brandon]

Since OP mention double, I suggest going with a hard plate. And even if you need to change things around, go with basic harness first. If you really find you need more adjustability later, then spend the money on the fancy harness. Chances are you won't go there.

I started with the thought like yours, went with transplate. I used it for 2 years, and liked it. It took a lot of convincing for me to try out basic harness. And once I did, I stayed there. As for comfort, you will be surprised, even without all the padding, basic harness is MORE comfortable even in t-short. And amount a couple comfort harnesses I have used, transplate is actually one of the lesser comfortable one. The main issue is the should pad design. They are too wide and too stiff. They keep cutting onto my neck.

Regarding why basic harness is more comfortable, it is a little counter intuitive at first. Think about under water, not on land. If you dive in tropics with no exposure suit, your rig should be more or less neutral to begin with. The basic harness does nothing more than secure the rig on your back. There shouldn't be much weight on the harness at all. If you dive in cold water, where you rig is negative, but you are also in thick suit, then the suit is for padding. But even that, your rig shouldn't weight much in water. Next time you dive your transplate, feel your shoulder strap once you get settle down under water (neutrally buoyant and in trim), you should straps are not tightly test on your shoulder. In fact, it is the whole reason why BC has a chest strap. Without that, your should strap may just slide off. In other words, the shoulder pads do nothing in water. Now, if you have to hike 2 miles in your rig to get to your dive site, yes, shoulder padding is helpful

The 2nd reason is the fit. With basic harness, proper adjustment is comfortable. With basic harness, once adjusted , things stay. and since the webbing is quite soft in water, it confines to you body. It won't slide off. That is why you don't see chest strap with basic harness. With transplate, the fit will be different every time you mess with the quick release/adjustment. Sure you can lock down the adjustment with tri glides, but then all you are getting is easier don/doff. Proper fit is comfort, not additional padding.

The 3rd reason is specific to transplate's poorly design shoulder pads. They are very stiff and quite wide, not comfortable at all. A example of good shoulder pads are the ones in Halcyon Infiniti. Very soft and comfy.

The last reason for me to leave transplate for good is the number of d-rings. Too many aren't necessary good. During a dive, you really can't look at the d-ring then clip things there. You go by muscle memory for clipping, and by feel of your hand for unclip. With the kind of implementation in transplate, you are very likely reach a different d-ring than the one you intended to use. There are really 3 on each shoulder. Two intended d-rings and one for holding the quick release buckle/chest strap. Just too many. One on each shoulder is just right. You always know you reach the right d-ring.

Basic harness are not without its shortcomings. The major one is getting in and out of it if you wear thick suit. It really takes some get used to. Then it is the comfort level on land for long period of hike/walk, which I have no intention to do.

I don't think the pads are very wide at all. I've got fairly wide shoulders though, so that may be why I feel that way. As for the D rings on the shoulder straps... why not just remove the 2nd one if you don't want it? I guess I'll get a better idea when I dive it, but initial impressions is that it doesn't leave much to be desired