BC as phone? A cool humor diversion.
- Integrated BC: Phone comes in three screen sizes per company but with a fixed software load. No adding software later. No changing font size or color once you buy. Mostly with very big screen and keyboard, as you never know that the user might try to display or type (how much lead??).
- BP/W w/ pockets all from one company: Phone comes ready to use. If your needs don't change, you can stop there.
Screen/RAM/color are customized at purchase.
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DGX Custom - DGX Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing Package
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Transplate XT Travel Package
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DGX Custom - OMS SmartStream Harness Singles Package
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DGX Custom - OMS Comfort Harness III Singles Package
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Hog Singles Package
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Apeks Single BP/W Package Configurator
But,
if you want, you can also buy and swap between extra screens. Oh, and you can likely swap with other companies screens, or install software from other companies. As it all uses the same API (2" webbing Application Programming Interface). Plus, you can likely even swap other companies motherboards under your original screen or software. If any part of yours breaks or if you just want to. But you don't have to.
- BP/W from components: All the way down to an open source hardware and firmware phone if you want to go there, even down to soldering iron or circuit board level if you like. But no need to for your first phone or as a non-engineer.
I say this having been a software engineer living on Windows, OS X, and several Linux varieties. And with 3 backplates from 3 companies. But the first one came ready to dive! The Android hardware vs third party (ATT, Verizon, etc.) tweaked firmware and software update issues are too complex to get into for the BC comparison. Plus phone hardware design and manufacturing, firmware, and software is
much more complex and in flux than scuba BCs.
On travel BCs: the tank might flop about more if the back is less firm, like a fabric backplate instead of an aluminum or cut out steel one, all of which are very light weight. If you want really light, you could go with the Deco sidemount rig.
New System - The Deco Sidemount