Looking for Advice on BP/W

[ronscuba]

Balance was by first BCD as well. I think I put 10 dives on it before selling it here on SB.

Me three. I bought a Balance for my 1st BCD. Did around 50 dives then sold it on Ebay.

It always wanted me face down. Great position to dive in, but not for taking pictures. Bought a Dive Rite Transpac, happily dove it for many years.

 

[jwllorens]

Thanks for all the help!

I went with a steel backplate and harness from DGX. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I was tempted to go for a soft backplate that could be converted if I ever chose to go the sidemount route, but it costs about as much to convert a transpac to a nomad as it does to just outright buy an xdeep stealth. I am glad I stuck with the backplate idea.

My wing is a 25lb Dive Rite singles wing, and I also added weight pockets on the waist straps. I much prefer the weight pockets to a belt as they are far more comfortable when diving with no exposure protection, they hold the weight closer to my midline which helps with trim because I am foot heavy in warm salt water, and allow me to swap out how much lead I carry easily as I dive both fresh and salt water.

My one regret was purchasing a single tank adapter. The tank sits further out from my spine which allows the wing to taco a bit, and the slots for the upper tank strap are way too high which forces the tank valve to sit behind my head and force me out of trim just to look forward since I can't tilt my head back at all.

I did like how rock solid the tank felt against the backplate with the STA, but dropping the backplate by loosening the shoulder straps would throw off the rest of the fit around my wasit dramatically (I already dropped it an inch or two which is very uncomfortable out of the water but works well when submerged.)

The simplicity, streamlined feel, and the ability to hold almost any position in the water naturally is amazing. Having 6-7 lbs of negative buoyancy right over my spine is amazing. I don't know how anyone dives without a rig like this.

 

[stuartv]

My wing is a 25lb Dive Rite singles wing

FYI, the DGX Gears Singles wing is the exact same wing, for about $100 less money, I think. Assuming you got the EXP version of that DR wing. If you got the XT version, then what you got has a tougher shell.

My one regret was purchasing a single tank adapter.

So, can't you just take it off and go without it?

DGX would probably give you a refund on both items, if you wanted to return/exchange either or both. They are awesome like that.

 

[ajduplessis]

Great to see some feedback after swtiching.

Dive safe.

 

[RJP]

Thanks for all the help!

Dive it in good health!

PS - the best thing to do now is to STOP reading advice about what you should have bought!

 

[Nasser]

You can get a STA with a lower profile so the tank is a little closer to your back and also with lower slots. Just do a web search and you'll find other varieties.

 

[Is_907]

I just read all 6 pages of this thread... some good info in here.
Can I ask for related help? If it should go in a new thread please move this post or let me know to create a new one!

I'm a fairly new diver and have used a couple jacket BCs and have a (older) back inflate that I got basically for free.
I love the back inflate and how much less bulk there is compared to a jacket... but I want less. I also want more customization.


So, how do I pick a plate, wing, and (if needed) weights?

I'm definitely just a recreational diver but I love gear. I don't plan to do doubles any time soon and don't even have plans to move to steel tanks. Just planning on AL80s for now.
I live in Texas and dive mostly lakes but am slated to do a good bit of saltwater as well. I'd say probably 65 or 70% fresh water and the rest in the ocean.
I'm 6' 5" and 285lbs--do I need a larger / longer BP?
Right now I'm carrying 16lbs in the ditchable pockets on my back-inflate BC... how much of that is automatically irrelevant due to the buoyancy of the BC being lost?


So I am thinking of getting an aluminum BP for the freshwater and just adding a couple pounds on the cam bands when I hit the ocean. Saves me the extra $ of buying a SS plate in addition (though I may do that eventually.)

The stuff I'm drawn to so far is a HOG aluminum BP (because red), basic harness, and the HOG 32lbs wing for single tank.

Am I on a good track here?

 

[cool_hardware52]

I just read all 6 pages of this thread... some good info in here.
Can I ask for related help? If it should go in a new thread please move this post or let me know to create a new one!

I'm a fairly new diver and have used a couple jacket BCs and have a (older) back inflate that I got basically for free.
I love the back inflate and how much less bulk there is compared to a jacket... but I want less. I also want more customization.


So, how do I pick a plate, wing, and (if needed) weights?

I'm definitely just a recreational diver but I love gear. I don't plan to do doubles any time soon and don't even have plans to move to steel tanks. Just planning on AL80s for now.
I live in Texas and dive mostly lakes but am slated to do a good bit of saltwater as well. I'd say probably 65 or 70% fresh water and the rest in the ocean.
I'm 6' 5" and 285lbs--do I need a larger / longer BP?
Right now I'm carrying 16lbs in the ditchable pockets on my back-inflate BC... how much of that is automatically irrelevant due to the buoyancy of the BC being lost?


So I am thinking of getting an aluminum BP for the freshwater and just adding a couple pounds on the cam bands when I hit the ocean. Saves me the extra $ of buying a SS plate in addition (though I may do that eventually.)

The stuff I'm drawn to so far is a HOG aluminum BP (because red), basic harness, and the HOG 32lbs wing for single tank.

Am I on a good track here?

The short answer:

Plate size is a function of the diver's height

Plate material (Stainless vs lightweight) is a function of required ballast, and that is a function of exposure suit buoyancy and tank buoyancy

Wing Capacity is a largely a function of exposure suit buoyancy.

If you want the "long" answer call me. 626-799-5074 M-F 9-5 ish California time

Tobin

 

[Is_907]

The short answer:

Plate size is a function of the diver's height

Plate material (Stainless vs lightweight) is a function of required ballast, and that is a function of exposure suit buoyancy and tank buoyancy

Wing Capacity is a largely a function of exposure suit buoyancy.

If you want the "long" answer call me. 626-799-5074 M-F 9-5 ish California time

Tobin

I may be calling you today!


I know I should pick gear based on function but those Hog wings are cool looking and the red BP... I'm a sucker for slick looking gear.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ZzzKing]

I may be calling you today!


I know I should pick gear based on function but those Hog wings are cool looking and the red BP... I'm a sucker for slick looking gear.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Tobin's stuff looks good as well.

I am am thinking of going to Clear Springs in Terrell this Sunday. If you want to meet up with me, I can let you dive one of my singles rigs to get a feel for it. I can bring aluminum, steel or fabric plates for you to try. Let me know if you are interested.