New Scubapro S-Tek (BP/W BC's) Line

[BoltSnap]

I have seen the S tek system for sale here [Dive Newcastle has it on their site] Expensive and I have expensive taste and it's way out of my range.
I have a X tek Pure harness and I like that, mind you the HOG harness works just as well with the 2 wings and 4 plates I have at a fraction of the cost.
Mix and match.
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It is expensive but has lots of features less expensive BP/W kits don't have. You will have to pay extra to get the features it has if you buy a different brand kit. One has to compare apples to apples and consider what they are getting for the money. Scubapro didn't want to make another plain BP/W kit in a market flooded with plain kits. I know that a lot of thinking and engineering went to their product with lots of R&D overhead, they didn't just copy somebody else's design. I didn't see and understand the value and what it offers until I watched everything single video they put on their YouTube channel about a week ago related to the S-Tek line.

I am not saying that it can't be less expensive but I also see that it isn't just another plain BP/W stepping in a very crowded space.

 

[BoltSnap]

I am seriously considering using one of their single tank sets in my dive school to replace the jacket BC's I am using now. I will cut down the number of BC's I have to stock for the school by at least half.

I just have to decide between the Pro and Pure kits. I want to use the one that will be the easiest and quickest kit to adjust in entry level courses.

 

[SaltyFrog]

It is expensive but has lots of features less expensive BP/W kits don't have. You will have to pay extra to get the features it has if you buy a different brand kit. One has to compare apples to apples and consider what they are getting for the money. Scubapro didn't want to make another plain BP/W kit in a market flooded with plain kits. I know that a lot of thinking and engineering went to their product with lots of R&D overhead, they didn't just copy somebody else's design. I didn't see and understand the value and what it offers until I watched everything single video they put on their YouTube channel about a week ago related to the S-Tek line.

I am not saying that it can't be less expensive but I also see that it isn't just another plain BP/W stepping in a very crowded space.

Hmm I'm actually quite sold.

I haven't look at the price yet.

But the plate itself is pretty well thought through and stuck to the fundamentals but at the same time added in some, albeit minor, niceties.

I like it.

 

[lowwall]

No cam band slots on the plate. You have to bolt the wing and use an STA for single tank.

There is a somewhat interesting change from normal. They made the lower harness slots oversize so you can pull on the upper straps to make it easier to get in and out when the waist is unbuckled. If you want to keep everything fixed, you add a triglide between the lower slots on each side.

Of course if you want to borrow that idea, a session with a file could do the same to any other plate.

 

[BoltSnap]

They made the lower harness slots oversize so you can pull on the upper straps to make it easier to get in and out when the waist is unbuckled.

What I am confused about, without talking to somebody at SP, is why need the "Pro" version with the adjustable shoulder straps if you can do the adjustment from the waist straps (with the slot design they have). The waist adjustment is available from in the "Pro" and the "Pure" versions of the harness since the plate is the same.

 

[SaltyFrog]

STAs are ok.
Though I was under the impression that the backplate would be compatible with other wings and STAs, but realized this isn't stated anywhere.
Would be a big bummer if it's not the case.

 

[loosenit2]

What I am confused about, without talking to somebody at SP, is why need the "Pro" version with the adjustable shoulder straps if you can do the adjustment from the waist straps (with the slot design they have). The waist adjustment is available from in the "Pro" and the "Pure" versions of the harness since the plate is the same.

I would think the point of the Pro is more adjustability. The version that just allows the shoulder straps to loosen is designed to allow a person to get in and out of the harness a little easier while still fundamentally being a Hogarthian harness.

The pro version adds a buckle that allows a wide variability of adjustment without resizing the harness. This would allow the system to be used as rental equipment or in classes where you might need to use it with a 250lb weightlifter with a huge chest one day and a 100lb petite person the next. With the adjustment buckle in the "pro" version you could do that, which is similar in function to the deluxe type harnesses that other manufacturers sell.

The idea of adjustable harnesses on BPW seems to evoke a lot of vitriol from tech divers, especially on SB but I for one see some benefit to them in that they would allow LDS to use BPWs with new OW students. It would give them the flexiblity to accommodate instant sizing adjustments with the benefits of using a BP/W rather than a jacket style BCD to promote better trim and buoyancy from the start. Don't want to use a deluxe harness as you advance in your diving and move into tech diving, great, just move to a hogarthian style.

On the SB tax, that is real, but no more or less real than the Halcyon H tax. A Halcyon backplate is priced at a bit over 200 dollars and up to 400 if you want their Carbon Fiber ones, and that is for a standard backplate design with a cool H on it. Personally I'm fine with my VDH, DGX, Hog backplates that cost a lot less and perform the function I need them to but to each his own, at last SP has tried to innovate, not just charge more for a design that is available at a lot lower price.

 

[BoltSnap]

I would think the point of the Pro is more adjustability. The version that just allows the shoulder straps to loosen is designed to allow a person to get in and out of the harness a little easier while still fundamentally being a Hogarthian harness.

The pro version adds a buckle that allows a wide variability of adjustment without resizing the harness. This would allow the system to be used as rental equipment or in classes where you might need to use it with a 250lb weightlifter with a huge chest one day and a 100lb petite person the next. With the adjustment buckle in the "pro" version you could do that, which is similar in function to the deluxe type harnesses that other manufacturers sell.

I am asking because I do want to use it in my recreational training courses and to replace all jacket BC's I have. The reason I am confused is that the "Pure" and "Pro" Tek plates have the slots for the waist strap cut to allow rapid adjustment of the shoulder straps (it is in the video) in a very similar way to the loops sold by Agir. It makes loosening and tightening the strap a cinch while still very secure and won't come loose when the waist strap is secured forward. What confuses me is why would I need an adjustment in the shoulder strap itself in addition to the slot design in plate where both do the same function as far as I see it. I need to narrow down my choice of plates for me to buy the BP/W replacement for jackets. I was going for the "Pro" version but then I started to think about the duplication in adjustment and wanted to know more before I make the choice.

I'd also like to see a rapidly adjustable crotch strap too just like the Dive school BP/W kit from xDeep.

The idea of adjustable harnesses on BPW seems to evoke a lot of vitriol from tech divers, especially on SB but I for one see some benefit to them in that they would allow LDS to use BPWs with new OW students. It would give them the flexiblity to accommodate instant sizing adjustments with the benefits of using a BP/W rather than a jacket style BCD to promote better trim and buoyancy from the start. Don't want to use a deluxe harness as you advance in your diving and move into tech diving, great, just move to a hogarthian style.

I agree 1000% with you here.

On the SB tax, that is real, but no more or less real than the Halcyon H tax. A Halcyon backplate is priced at a bit over 200 dollars and up to 400 if you want their Carbon Fiber ones, and that is for a standard backplate design with a cool H on it. Personally I'm fine with my VDH, DGX, Hog backplates that cost a lot less and perform the function I need them to but to each his own, at last SP has tried to innovate, not just charge more for a design that is available at a lot lower price.

In this new product from SP, I see value, innovation and uniqueness that certainly justify higher prices in this instance for certain. We all want "stuff" for less money but it costs money in R&D and manufacturing especially in a tiny market such as scuba and BP/W systems sold and hence higher prices.

 

[James79]

What confuses me is why would I need an adjustment in the shoulder strap itself in addition to the slot design in plate where both do the same function as far as I see it

While I didn't watch the video, my first DIY BPWs allowed adjustment through the harness sliding in the waist slots.... what that buys you is simultaneous adjust of shoulder and waist (i.e. shoulder straps longer means waist smaller). Works great for getting in and out of a rig that is sized for you. But now look at gymnasts builds as an extreme example of 2 rental cutomers. A male and female gymnast will have nearly the same waist measurement, but drastically different upper torso sizes... if there is enough webbing in a continuous harness for the male, when the female puts it on the waist buckle will be nearly hitting the far side of the plate and the free end of the harness will be FEET long. Now break that into a three piece harness... Should v that goes to adjusters, and two side pieces that continue to the waste. Now your 2 foot of total harness length variation is broken into 3 separate 8 inch "tails" that are easily controlled with an elastic or velcro loop on the main harness.

Respectfully,

James

 

[lowwall]

What I am confused about, without talking to somebody at SP, is why need the "Pro" version with the adjustable shoulder straps if you can do the adjustment from the waist straps (with the slot design they have). The waist adjustment is available from in the "Pro" and the "Pure" versions of the harness since the plate is the same.

I think you'll lose most of the adjustability of the Pure if you add weight pockets to the waist bands. Certainly if you use the oversize monster pockets ScubaPro is selling as an option.


So the Pure will work as a one size fits most rental only if you are using either a weight belt or some combination of the small trim pockets they are offering on the plate and waist band.