Apeks Backplate Considerations

[Jackie Treehorn]

Quick background: somewhat seasoned recreational diver, PADI MSD that has recently completed tec 40 and 45. 250 or so dives all in warm carribean water or the florida keys.

I'm looking to advance in the tec diving training and have decided to begin diving my local quarries. I'm in the process of purchasing my first twinset rig so a backplate/drysuit is in my future for sure.

However, my next dive trip is a week in Cozumel, easy diving with the wife and generally taking it easy. I currently have been diving with the Aqualung Outlaw and have been very happy with it. However, these tec classes have opened my eyes a bit and i'm considering an effort to standardize gear. I was thinking that if I end up with a BP/W, perhaps I could have a rig that would elminiate all weights for my CZM trip. I currently carry between 6 and 8 pounds of lead with the Outlaw.

I was considering the Apeks Steel Plate, One Piece Webbed Harness, and the D18 (18 lbs of lift) donut. Obviously changing out the donut for when i'm doing quarry dives.

I have the ability to carry a few extra pounds in my travel trunk so i'm not concerned about the extra weight of a plate.

Any thoughts on if this would allow me to achieve my goal of dumping all extra weight on the warm water dives? Anything i'm overlooking? Opinions in general?

Thanks!

 

[runsongas]

the d18 is a decent wing, just not very compact when packing for travel due to the shell. similar to the oxycheq 18 in that respect. the msrp price is a tad high too. i would look at the argonaut 18 or a dss 17/20 unless if you are getting a discount on the apeks.

 

[rongoodman]

Take the BP/W, although as I recall the Apex wing uses non-standard threads on the inflator and dump valve(and has a crazy long hose), so you might want to consider an alternative. There's no downside that I can see of taking your BP/W on the trip. Good luck with your tech training.

 

[Diver-Drex]

The plate and single tank adapter should be enough to allow you to not need extra weight. If the plate is setup to thread through a camband you may want to add two slide on weight pouches. Either on the waist webbing or the camband for trim.

Just curious, did you rent a BP/W and doubles for the Tec 40 and 45 classes?

 

[Jackie Treehorn]

Thanks for the replies.

Drex, I did. I rented the regs, BP/W, doubles, and deco bottles for the classes. I basically just took my exposure suit, masks and two Perdix AI's.

The instructor recommended I rent, and it made sense to me. However I wish I would have taken my own reg sets down. I have atomic M1's but they are Yoke and for some reason I had it stuck in my head that if it wasn't DIN and diaphram i'd be doing it wrong.

My regset purchase I can put off for now, so I will. Just going to convert the M1 to a longer hose I can wrap around (but not tuck) and enjoy a streamlined and more standard setup for all of my future diving.

 

[ams511]

The Apeks backplate is nice as well as the Apeks harness. I really like the harness, it is really heavy duty. The only thing you may be missing is the lack of ditchable weight and the potential to be overweighted if you start carrying other things on a dive. Personally, I don't think being a couple of pounds overweight is that big of a deal but others feel differently.

Again others believe differently, but to me a plate is basically a plate. You can get an inexpensive steel plate for under $100 at Leisure Pro and Cave Adventurers can set you up with a harness for under $30. An Apeks plate is close to $200 and the harness is around $100. Just make sure the slots in the plate match up with the wing, as not all do. Wings with longer slots will fit all plates. Wings with 2" slots you will need to measure. If using a single tank adaptor then you can mix and match anything.

 

[admikar]

Again others believe differently, but to me a plate is basically a plate. You can get an inexpensive steel plate for under $100 at Leisure Pro and Cave Adventurers can set you up with a harness for under $30. An Apeks plate is close to $200 and the harness is around $100.

^^This.
I dive Apeks steel plate and D30, but only because I'm in Europe. On your side of pond, you should have more economic options of same quality.

 

[211ratsbud]

I have used that exact set up for years now. +1

 

[Jackie Treehorn]

The D30 or D18?

How much does it weigh?

Would you change anything? I assume you are happy with it.

 

[211ratsbud]

I use the 18. Happy with everything yes. I never weighed it as I don't travel.