Scubapro BCD

[Simone1992Scuba]

Well I dive with 8lb with the jacket BCD, and I only do warm water dives, so for me is SS or Alu backplate?

 

[rongoodman]

If that's all the weight you need, I'd go with the aluminum plate so you can have some ditchable weight.

 

[Simone1992Scuba]

Ok thanks, and yes i was thinking alu backplate and 30lb wing should work just fine.

 

[dmaziuk]

Ok thanks, and yes i was thinking alu backplate and 30lb wing should work just fine.

If you only dive warm water, 18lbs wing should be fine. Over in the US this: DGX Gears Single Tank Wing | Dive Gear Express® is probably the cheapest you can do without waiting for some super-special sale deal. It may need one of these: OMS Soft STA Stabilizing Adapter | Dive Gear Express® to go with it (my hollis 25 came with a similar thingy already attached).

You could go with steel plate but the you'd likely have no ditchable weight for emergencies, you'd have extra luggage weight if you travel, and you might be close to overweight in fresh water if you ever dive warm fresh water.

 

[Simone1992Scuba]

90% of the time ill be diving with 3mm suit and Al80, so alu BP and 18lb wing should be ok, but in a case I want to use a 5mm suit and steel tank should I consider a bigger wing or SS BP?

 

[dmaziuk]

90% of the time ill be diving with 3mm suit and Al80, so alu BP and 18lb wing should be ok, but in a case I want to use a 5mm suit and steel tank should I consider a bigger wing or SS BP?

It's not an or, you'll need the wing to float the weight of the tank and BP and whatever lead you're wearing to sink your suit. So SS BP will need a bit more lift. I'm sure #25 is big enough, but add up the weight and see for yourself.

 

[Simone1992Scuba]

In new to the BP/W world so im having a hard time deciding, so if I understood, alu BP needs a lighter wing compared to the SS. So alu with 18lb or SS with 25-30 should be ok? If so which one would you guys think is better? Thanks in advance

 

[dmaziuk]

I would PM ("start conversation") Jim Lapenta and ask for his BP&W 101 PDF, I believe it has all the answers.

The difference between Alu and steel plates is like 4 pounds at most. If you're carrying 6 lbs of full tank + 6 lbs of steel plate + say, 6 lbs of assorted stuff (regs, knives, trim weights), that adds up to 18 lbs. If the wing has less lift than that, your gear will sink if you take it off. You need to come up with the number for full steel tank and for how much your "assorted stuff" really weighs to get a better answer, but keep in mind that if you get it precisely right, that doesn't leave you much wiggle room.

 

[Simone1992Scuba]

I sent a PM to Jim Lapenta. I'll wait for his response to decide. Thank you very much guys for all the advices and help. Hope to be diving with a BP/W soon!

 

[rongoodman]

In new to the BP/W world so im having a hard time deciding, so if I understood, alu BP needs a lighter wing compared to the SS.

I'm not sure where you're getting the connection between plate material and wing size. The only difference between aluminum and steel plates is how much of your weighting has to be made up with extra lead, as opposed to the plate itself. You can always make an aluminum plate heavier, but you can't lighten a steel one. Wing size will depend on the total amount of flotation needed, not where the weight is located.