Travel BPW Setup

[lexvil]

you didn't find the bottom of the tank cylinder rising up as it emptied? With a single strap (at least on the Aeris version) and no stiff spine, it was really annoying. I couldn't figure out how to address this without really hacking it up. I just sold it instead.

If memory serves it had one tank band and a lower Velcro strap to help with stability. My outlaw has only the strap and I didn’t notice any issue.

 

[noserider]

I’ve switched to an Aqualung Outlaw, it’s easy to disassemble and pack into nooks and crannies.

I love mine for travel, complete minimalist set up and packs down to nothing

 

[saxman242]

I can take a few pictures when I get home from work

Main section has the plate in the laptop sleeve, the wing, reg bag, and a pocket with the harness rollee up in it.

Second pocket has a padded case with my computer and flashlight, the trim weight pockets with the cam bands rolled up in them, dmsb/reel, and normally my mask which happens to not be in it at the moment.

Other exterior pockets are still empty.


It's some Jansport Trans backpack. Looks like maybe a youth large based on similar ones for sale on ebay.

 

[NaCl H2O]

Nice, thanks for the pics.
Makes sense to break it down like that, fits well in the pack and is travel easy.

 

[Manatee Diver]

My aluminum plate weight around 800 grams, there are metal plates lighter than that (x shaped or titanium etc) but I do not expect more than 20 percent weight cut.

The lightest plate I've seen was a knock off of the XDeep NX series BP, but setup to use normal webbing. IIRC it was less than a pound, which is like 400grams.

It is dog bone shaped (X Shaped), lightened, and made out of a lighter thinner aluminum alloy. You can find them on eBay or Amazon.

 

[Nemrod]

Well the lightest plates are the VDH (currently NA) and the Oxy Ultralite plate:

Cave Adventurers - Ultra Lite Travel Plate *Black* - Marianna, Florida USA - Never Undersold!

Ultra Lite Travel Plate *Black*

www.caveadventurers.com

And the Oxy Ultralite does work with the VDH wings and Oxy wings.

I never understood toting about a heavy stainless (double tank) plate when a couple of cam band pouches accomplish the same thing with the supplied weights at most destinations. I guess none of you guys have camera gear to carry aboard?



N

 

[saxman242]

I guess none of you guys have camera gear?

I do. It's a much bulkier substitute for lead than a steel backplate.

 

[Nemrod]

I do. It's a much bulkier substitute for lead than a steel backplate.

I have my cameras set for neutral to no more than a few ounces negative, with my dome port it is actually slightly positive so I can not use my camera as ballast.

If you mean the cam band pouches, nah, not bulky at all.

Ages ago I carried my weight belt with pretty blue bullet weights on it on trips. I guess that is no worse than carrying about a heavy plate. And not to enter the argument of jettison-able ballast yet again, but without exposure protection or minimal protection and no ballast to dump, I would be negative on the surface with a failed BC wing. That is okay with some folks but not me.

James

 

[saxman242]

I think you missed the joke I was trying to make.

For me, the steel backplate vs al backplate is a simple swap out. Doesn't take up any more room and because I'm carrying it on, the weight doesn't make a difference either.

In the context of the conversation above, you were talking about using available weights instead of a steel plate and then mentioned traveling with camera gear.

The joke being that it read as if you were suggesting camera gear as ballast. Obviously you weren't actually.

 

[Nemrod]

I think you missed the joke I was trying to make.

For me, the steel backplate vs al backplate is a simple swap out. Doesn't take up any more room and because I'm carrying it on, the weight doesn't make a difference either.

In the context of the conversation above, you were talking about using available weights instead of a steel plate and then mentioned traveling with camera gear.

The joke being that it read as if you were suggesting camera gear as ballast. Obviously you weren't actually.

Sorry, I am not all that swift sometimes. Well, perhaps because my previous camera I did use it for ballast and trim. It was a heavy sucker! And I had that discussion on a dive boat with a fellow just a few days ago who also uses his cameras as part of his ballast weight. I guess that is one way to have jettison-able ballast . But, alas, his consideration on abandoning his camera if in a state of duress was much like mine in that the only way we would surrender our photo gear is if a tiger shark takes it and us too , otherwise he is going to be in for a fight . I was meaning for carry-on my camera gear takes up all that room .

James