Anything you don't like about BP/W rig?

[Kharon]

BP&Wings are fine. I've dove several over a thousand or two dives. I don't dive with one anymore unless I'm diving back mounted doubles. I prefer Sidemount over backmounted doubles but for single tank diving I go with a hybrid: the Zeagle Express Tech. Why, when all of ScubaBoard seems to prefer the BP@Wings, do I prefer the hybrid over BP&Wings? Let's keep this on topic and discuss the shortfalls of BP&Wings.

• Fit
  • BP&Wings are just too stiff. There's simply no give when you're trying to reach the tank behind you.
  • They are finicky and resist adjusting during your dive
• Ease
  • They are harder to get out of than any other BCD out there.
  • They are finicky to adjust compared to any BCD out there
  • Add fatigue or arthritis and the problems are even worse.
• Packability
  • They aren't.
  • They are heavier
  • You can't even fold them to fit!
• Bladder pinches
  • Steel or aluminum backplates can easily cut the internal bladder.
    • A moment of inattention
    • Careless boat crew
  • Unheard of with traditional or hybrid BCDs.

My Express Tech is far superior in most every way. They are rock solid when tightened down, yet are easily adjusted (even during the dive). Because the straps extend easily they are great to get in our out of. Supel light and foldable they are an awesome travel BC.

I seriously disagree, but maybe I'm comparing apples to oranges. I have a Short Deluxe Harness (Short Deluxe Harness) attached to an OxyCheq UltraliteTravel Backpack (OxyCheq Ultralite Travel Backpack) with a Mares single tank donut (Mares XR Single Tank Donut Bladder).

It's anything but stiff, is easy to adjust, and is very comfortable even with just shorts and a T-shirt.

It's way easier for me (bad shoulders, gut, limited flexibility) to get into and out of than my BC.

It's a breeze to pack. I can even take the donut off in minutes and easily get it into my carry-on. Can't do that with my BC. And it's way lighter.

The soft backpack ain't pinching or cutting anything.

 

[KenGordon]

Thanks Chairman, that is exactly the kind of info I was looking for.

He is being excessively negative. While I think the claims for BP/W are overblown on SB I disagree with those cons.

Fit - the idea is to get it to fit and then it is done with. That assumes a single piece harness. You can also choose to have an adjustable harness with either big metal adjusters or plastic pinch clips like a BCD has. Often people will have the shoulder straps too tight (this can be true of BCDs too). Having a proper, experienced person help with setting up is a good idea.

Ease - once it fits it is easy getting in and out of a single piece harness. There is a technique which is slightly different to a BCDs but not at all hard. You hook your thump into the chest d rings and slide the shoulder straps off. Again, instruction makes it clear and easy.

Packability - I have to pack 10 BCDs into some boxes at the end of a pool night. I hate them too My warm water wing is very compact. I have a very light backplate which I could use if weight was a serious issue, but usually I take a heavy steal one to reduce my weight belt.

Bladder pinches - I think this is only really a problem for large wings with flappy bits. Take tear aid if you are very paranoid.

To get the best from a BP/W setup you do need someone who knows what they are doing to show you a couple of things. A course like the TDI Intro to Tech will do that. If you do it before buying you will be better informed about your purchase and might even decide not to buy one.

 

[KenGordon]

PS. All those half way house ‘comfort’ options. Just say no. Really, give a proper single piece harness with a simple backplate and a simple (donut) wing a chance for a few dives. Dangly adjusters and padding all just get in the way.

 

[The Chairman]

I seriously disagree,

You're actually agreeing with me... that's a hybrid BP. They copied their design off of Zeagle's Express Tech. I think it's only $65 or so for this bit.

 

[Diver0001]

I have a bad case of gearitis and am looking at bp/w's. (who doesn't like gear shopping?)

See tons of pros about them, any cons?

What about storage?
I have items that live in my jacket pockets, gloves, lobster gauge, smb, reel.
Don't always use them but I know they are there.
Little bit of a neat nick, prefer things stowed over dangling.

Thanks for any input.

I've been diving with BP/W since I started diving technically in 2002. I use it for technical diving and I use it for vacation diving with a different wing, obviously.

The only thing I've ever had to "deal with" in terms of functionality that I missed was the lack of integrate weight pockets. For technical diving it's never an issue but for recreational diving, particularly vacation diving where you're making 20-odd dives in a week, a heavy weightbelt on your back starts to really hurt after a few days....

At one point I bought after-market weight pockets for recreational diving from Dive Rite. You can solve this problem with after-market accessories but it's something obvious that a BP/W lacks in that context.

R..

 

[KenGordon]

I've been diving with BP/W since I started diving technically in 2002. I use it for technical diving and I use it for vacation diving with a different wing, obviously.

The only thing I've ever had to "deal with" in terms of functionality that I missed was the lack of integrate weight pockets. For technical diving it's never an issue but for recreational diving, particularly vacation diving where you're making 20-odd dives in a week, a heavy weightbelt on your back starts to really hurt after a few days....

At one point I bought after-market weight pockets for recreational diving from Dive Rite. You can solve this problem with after-market accessories but it's something obvious that a BP/W lacks in that context.

R..

On the other hand....

When on a bouncing boat the first sets to need resecuring/saving are the ones with integrated weights. The weight is offset and causes the set to tend to fall over. Obviously a proper job of tying it up, or removing the weights will solve this but well, people with integrated weights...

If I go on holiday I hope to have warm enough water that my belt isn’t too awful.

 

[EireDiver606]

The only I don’t like about it is if you have to walk for a while or hike, the webbing can damage the suit or dig in to your shoulders if you’re wearing a t shirt

 

[EireDiver606]

I've been diving with BP/W since I started diving technically in 2002. I use it for technical diving and I use it for vacation diving with a different wing, obviously.

The only thing I've ever had to "deal with" in terms of functionality that I missed was the lack of integrate weight pockets. For technical diving it's never an issue but for recreational diving, particularly vacation diving where you're making 20-odd dives in a week, a heavy weightbelt on your back starts to really hurt after a few days....

At one point I bought after-market weight pockets for recreational diving from Dive Rite. You can solve this problem with after-market accessories but it's something obvious that a BP/W lacks in that context.

R..

Personally I find that when I get to warm water destinations I either don5 need weight or very little, and a 1kg weightbelt isn’t an issue. For me, the integrated weights take away the “clean front” that that BP/w offers.

 

[The Chairman]

The only thing I've ever had to "deal with" in terms of functionality that I missed was the lack of integrate weight pockets.

Yeah, most of the hybrids have accommodations for accessories like weight pockets. I think that they are pricier than they should be, but they add functionality to the system. I definitely have weight pockets on my Express Tech.

 

[Parklander]

Chairman

What’s the distance from your back to the tank with the Zeagle Express Tech. I thought about something a bit more flexible and comfortable for my most recent back plate and wing but I prefer the tanks real close.