Question Subgravity Paragon or HOG System?

[inquis]

Economy ticket and airline CC gives free checked luggage up to 50 lb.

(Technically there's an annual fee after the first year with most of these CCs, but breakeven is basically one trip or less.)

 

[RobPNW]

Economy ticket and airline CC gives free checked luggage up to 50 lb.

(Technically there's an annual fee after the first year with most of these CCs, but breakeven is basically one trip or less.)

Are you assuming you would always go through the same airline though? I kind of shop around for the best fare, which can vary dramatically depending on the destination.

 

[waterone]

Economy ticket and airline CC gives free checked luggage up to 50 lb.

(Technically there's an annual fee after the first year with most of these CCs, but breakeven is basically one trip or less.)

I have one of those, made out well with 5 large suitcases going to Hawaii with the family.

However that airline wanted almost double the price for my flight to cozumel. Luckily I travel light without family and my gear fits in a backpack and the rest in a carryon luggage.

 

[RobPNW]

Looks like American Airlines does most of the affordable flights to a place like Roatan from my area. Just checked the web site for an economy ticket and they allow a personal item which I assume is a small backpack for your essential clothes, wallet, phone, passport laptop etc. Then you get a carryon bag, which I may use for my expensive SCUBA gear, like the computer, regulators, camera etc. Then it looks like you can buy a check on bag to the Caribbean destinations for $30 and I assume I would use that for the bulky/heavy stuff like BP/W, fins, wetsuit etc.

 

[Regulated]

My questions have led us into the travel aspect, which really is on topic here. I flew Southwest to Maui with reg, BC, DC in a Stahlsac rollaboard. Fins, books and personal stuff went into my “personal item” (dive backpack). Nonessentials such as clothes went in checked luggage. SWA does not charge for checked bags.

Also will fly SWA to CZM. But many international airlines are stingy with cabin luggage in terms of size and weight restrictions. That’s why it is good to think this through. Thanks all for your insights.

 

[inquis]

Are you assuming you would always go through the same airline though?

Factor in baggage costs if it's a different airline. Beware the really cheap flights like Spirit & Frontier have very high baggage rates.

 

[RobPNW]

Back towards the topic a little more, I got a DGX SS BP/W which I plan on taking with me wherever I go on travel. All the gear will add up fast but with a check on bag and two carry on items, I should be okay. Just need to finalize where I want to put what.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I have not travelled with my new BP/W yet. Do people typically get an economy ticket and then do an add-on cost for a check-in bag of the gear? I need to put all my stuff in a bag and see how much it weighs...

I'm able to get my dive gear in a carryon, except for my wetsuit that gets checked in.

 

[waterone]

Looks like American Airlines does most of the affordable flights to Roatan from my area. Just checked the web site for an economy ticket and they allow a personal item which I assume is a small backpack for your essential clothes, wallet, phone, passport laptop etc. Then you get a carryon bag, which I may use for my expensive SCUBA gear, like the computer, regulators, camera etc. Then it looks like you can buy a check on bag to the Caribbean destinations for $30 and I assume I would use that for the bulky/heavy stuff like BP/W, fins, wetsuit etc.

I use to carry my clothes in a backpack and my gear in a hardcase carry on. Now I can carry all my stuff in a  very large backpack. Plate fits in a pocket next to my laptop. I originally was going to modify it to use my harness as straps like another one I did, but this one works very well as is.
Was 20 bucks cheaper a while back.

 

[Zef]

P.S. I meant to ask why stainless steel backplate. Yes, less lead, and closer to the thorax, yet at least 3 more pounds in the luggage than aluminum. Worth it?

Good question. I have not done much flying for diving in the past few years so the extra weight of packing my steel bp/w in the car is no big deal.

When flying:
If you are going to take your plate as carry-on, the the extra weight of a steel plate does not chip at your flight baggage allowance…taking a steel plate when traveling would be of benefit if you are diving somewhere that requires an exposure suit and you don’t want to carry the extra lead during your dives.

I do have an aluminum plate, I slice my oldest daughter’s when I replaced it with her sun-gravity short plate….and intend to set it up like my steel plate and use it for when I do fly.

Something to think about:
Although the “actual” weight difference between a steel and aluminum plate is not that much (@4-5lbs on average….unless one buys an extra thick steel plate), the “apparent/perceived” weight when carrying the steel plate all day when traveling is significant.

My opinion is that a steel plate is more versatile for different environments and climates, unless all your diving will be done at destinations that require one to fly to. If you will arrange in local diving as well as destination diving, then I recommend going with steel and once you are accustomed to your plate and harness and settle on its configuration then perhaps purchase an aluminum plate. You might find that you accumulate spare pieces of kit along the way like extra D-rings and slides, etc….this greatly facilitates making a harness for a 2nd plate when the time comes.

-Z