Harness & Backplate selection..... as good as expected?

[Doctor Rig]

Working on new BP&W component selection..... Please help me out with some related questions.

HARNESS: Has anyone used or know about the Deep 6 urethane coated harness webbing. If one uses this coated webbing as a tank strap would it be noticeably less likely to stretch than standard webbing? Is it slippery, and easier or harder to slide-on ones tank (over a wetsuit) than standard webbing? Is the Deep 6 webbing thinner and less stiff than standard harness webbing? How well does the urethane coating wear with time?

BACKPLATE: Aluminum versus stainless steel is the issue! Stainless is more robust, but weights more. A compromise? How about the stainless Dive Rite XT Lite (or similiar) which weights 40% less (2#) than a full stainless backplate and only 1 pound more than aluminum and still be more robust. A SS backplate with cutouts, like the XT Lite, seems to be the best of all worlds, (excluding the desire to carry more weight). Am I missing anything?

 

[Barnaby'sDad]

I’ve got a Dive Rite XL Lite BP. I got it thinking the same thing that you did. I’m happy with it. I got it to replace a heavier HOG SS BP. It has the added benefit of looking really cool.

 

[jborg]

I really doubt the aluminium backplate will ever be insufficiently robust while diving. The question is more whether you want the extra weight or not, reducing the amount of lead to carry.

 

[Barnaby'sDad]

I really doubt the aluminium backplate will ever be insufficiently robust while diving. The question is more whether you want the extra weight or not, reducing the amount of lead to carry.

Yup. This really is a YMMV thing:

-If you’re (OP) going to be doing the bulk of your diving locally (cold water dives, in your case)...I’d go with a standard SS plate like the one I had. It puts a good amount of weight flush against your back and removes some weight from your belt or pouches.

-If you’re going to be doing a lot of traveling and/or you don’t need much added weight to begin with...I’d go with an aluminum or light SS plate just to cut down on baggage weight.

I opted to go with a lightweight SS plate over an aluminum one because it split the difference of the weight between my existing SS BP and an aluminum plate.

 

[Doctor Rig]

I’ve got a Dive Rite XL Lite BP. I got it thinking the same thing that you did. I’m happy with it. I got it to replace a heavier HOG SS BP. It has the added benefit of looking really cool.

View attachment 608857

@Barnaby'sDad Thanks for sharing! Looks nice... did you keep it polished? Looking closely at the picture, do I see the edge has a bend in it on the right (picture) side? If you did, does that happen often? Easily straightened I'm guessing?

 

[Barnaby'sDad]

@Barnaby'sDad Thanks for sharing! Looks nice... did you keep it polished? Looking closely at the picture, do I see the edge has a bend in it on the right (picture) side? If you did, does that happen often? Easily straightened I'm guessing?

Thanks. There’s no bend. I think it’s just an optical illusion, between the lighting and the shine on the plate. I think the only way you’re going to bend this plate is to bang on it with a BFH. It’s pretty sturdy.

I’ve only had it in fresh water so far. It looked like that (finish wise) when I bought it last fall. I’m curious to see how the finish holds up once I get it in salt water.

 

[Streydog]

Working on new BP&W component selection..... Please help me out with some related questions.

HARNESS: Has anyone used or know about the Deep 6 urethane coated harness webbing. If one uses this coated webbing as a tank strap would it be noticeably less likely to stretch than standard webbing? Is it slippery, and easier or harder to slide-on ones tank (over a wetsuit) than standard webbing? Is the Deep 6 webbing thinner and less stiff than standard harness webbing? How well does the urethane coating wear with time?

BACKPLATE: Aluminum versus stainless steel is the issue! Stainless is more robust, but weights more. A compromise? How about the stainless Dive Rite XT Lite (or similiar) which weights 40% less (2#) than a full stainless backplate and only 1 pound more than aluminum and still be more robust. A SS backplate with cutouts, like the XT Lite, seems to be the best of all worlds, (excluding the desire to carry more weight). Am I missing anything?

I can't help you on all your questions but I have been using the the Deep 6 harness for about 2.5 years around 200 dives. When I bought it they did'nt have the coating webbing for the tank straps, I have been using just the plain old webbing with plastic buckles. The harness is holding up fine, there is a little wear around the edges from it rubbing on the plate but it is not too bad. I had an issue with the standard slide stops slipping through the holes at the bottom slots of the plate. I ended up using thicker plastic slide stops to solve that. The coating does stick a little to wetsuits but not enough to bother me. You do have to be careful not to twist the shoulder straps when you put it on. Here is a picture of the only wear on the strap.

 

[Doctor Rig]

The coating does stick a little to wetsuits but not enough to bother me. You do have to be careful not to twist the shoulder straps when you put it on.

View attachment 608896

Thanks @Streydog! Looking at your picture, the webbing weave leads me to believe it is auto seat belt material or like, which is much thinner than standard dive webbing, 0.050 versus 0.094 inch thick (as measured). That might explain why it gets twisted unless you are careful. So the Deep 6 webbing is much more flexible & comfortable too, right?

 

[Streydog]

Thanks @Streydog! Looking at your picture, the webbing weave leads me to believe it is auto seat belt material or like, which is much thinner than standard dive webbing, 0.050 versus 0.094 inch thick (as measured). That might explain why it gets twisted unless you are careful. So the Deep 6 webbing is much more flexible & comfortable too, right?

Yes it is about the same thickness as what a seatbelt is made with. This is the only harness I have worn so I can not compare it. I do wear it with only a shirt often and have no issues with comfort.

 

[Southside]

Thanks @Streydog! Looking at your picture, the webbing weave leads me to believe it is auto seat belt material or like, which is much thinner than standard dive webbing, 0.050 versus 0.094 inch thick (as measured). That might explain why it gets twisted unless you are careful. So the Deep 6 webbing is much more flexible & comfortable too, right?

I just put the calipers on mine and it read .062" thick at multiple points along the webbing.

I don't have nearly as many dives as Streydog on mine but the only wear point I have seen is the same one he indicated and I also had to go with a thicker triglide so it didn't slip through the slot.