Info HotDive Customizable Backplate BCD

[lexvil]

I think that it is far better to have the choice/options: stand-alone STA and STA integrated into the wing. In fact, I don't understand why any wing manufacturer wouldn't put slots in their wings and only holes for a separate STA. You like a separate STA when many others like it integrated into the wing, I do. It is all about having options and meeting different customer demands in one wing. I have NEVER thought that I wish I had a separate STA instead of the little STAs integrated into my wings, ever.

Don’t every try an S tek plate, SP didn’t see fit to slot the plate yet it remains my favorite.

 

[BoltSnap]

Don’t every try an S tek plate, SP didn’t see fit to slot the plate yet it remains my favorite.

I am going to just because you said not to

 

[HotDive(Hide In Ocean)]

What are the weights of the different BPs you have: St, Al, Ti, and Carbon?

You can check about this.

 

[HotDive(Hide In Ocean)]

What about different-sized BP's to fit people of different heights? Small, medium, and large.

The harness system allows for full size adjustment, so we do not classify sizes as S, M, or L. Instead, divers can select the appropriate wing lift capacity (in pounds) according to their body weight and equipment configuration. There are established formulas available online that can help calculate the exact buoyancy requirement for each individual.

 

[HotDive(Hide In Ocean)]

Why an STA? Why not wings with built-in sta?

I believe a STA is more practical than a built-in STA, as it provides more stability and allows you to choose the material based on the required weight. Or do you have any good recommendations for a built-in STA?

 

[kdlv]

You need the option of a build in STA of course with cutouts through the wing long enough to accommodate different backplates and with the right width between the slots (unlike the Apeks slots). Otherwise the bands stretch the slots... no clue what Apeks were thinking when they introduced these slots. Probably that noone will use them.

Otherwise what's the point of modular wing If I always have to carry everything on every trip.
This however may be good and is something that I cannot find easily. I wanted to have a chest strap to minimize the movement of the entire gear kit against my body when I am wearing only a rashguard.

Besides, I don't buy the stability argument, the tank is going nowhere attached with 2 straps to a donut style wing and for sure it doesn't wiggle against it.

Only benefit I see is with the Apeks WTX-D30 or other wings of that design that are narrow and with deep middle section for the tank. The STA pushes out the tank a bit and makes attaching the fattest 12 and 15l steel tanks easier.

 

[Still Kicking]

You need the option of a build in STA of course with cutouts through the wing long enough to accommodate different backplates and with the right width between the slots (unlike the Apeks slots). Otherwise the bands stretch the slots... no clue what Apeks were thinking when they introduced these slots. Probably that noone will use them.

Otherwise what's the point of modular wing If I always have to carry everything on every trip.
This however may be good and is something that I cannot find easily. I wanted to have a chest strap to minimize the movement of the entire gear kit against my body when I am wearing only a rashguard.

View attachment 916383

Besides, I don't buy the stability argument, the tank is going nowhere attached with 2 straps to a donut style wing and for sure it doesn't wiggle against it.

Only benefit I see is with the Apeks WTX-D30 or other wings of that design that are narrow and with deep middle section for the tank. The STA pushes out the tank a bit and makes attaching the fattest 12 and 15l steel tanks easier.

I have a WTX-D30 PSD and it's a great wing. Streamlined in the water and bulletproof after more than a decade of constant abuse. I don't see a problem with the slots on my freedom plate but I suppose it depends on the plate you use with it.

 

[BoltSnap]

The harness system allows for full size adjustment, so we do not classify sizes as S, M, or L. Instead, divers can select the appropriate wing lift capacity (in pounds) according to their body weight and equipment configuration. There are established formulas available online that can help calculate the exact buoyancy requirement for each individual.

No, I am talking about the backplate itself, not the harness. Tall people have issues with the standard-sized backplate, and short people have the opposite issue. This isn't a new idea; some backplate manufacturers have it, but very few. This may be a good thing for you to help you get more recognition and share in the market.

 

[kdlv]

Normally the plate cutouts needs to be slightly narrower than the ones on the wing to accommodate the angle towards the tank. If the distance between them is the same or larger, they tend to stretch the cutouts in the wing, especially with "fat" tanks, that are the norm here.

The cutouts on the WTX-D30 are pretty close to each other. Haven't found such a plate that would fit without stretching them.
Freedom plate looks awesome! I am more into Alu, Carbon or titanium plates and prefer to mix and match the kit.

It worked for me with the Mares XR alu plate and with a generic carbon plates from Aliexpress, but still was stretching it. At least I was able to position the plate on the WTX-D30 so the cutouts match, but it was sitting too low against the wing.

Problem solved for me with the XS Scuba travel dog-bone plate and titanium adapter for the WTX-D30, but still pisses me off that I cannot just throw in 2 cam bands in the luggage but need to carry the extra metal with me.

I met a guy on a boat in Greece that had the same experience with the WTX-D30 and had a custom Alu plate fabricated for him with the right cutouts. Unfortunately they are not willing to make the dog-bone style custom plate for me.

 

[BoltSnap]

I believe a STA is more practical than a built-in STA, as it provides more stability and allows you to choose the material based on the required weight. Or do you have any good recommendations for a built-in STA?

Not entirely accurate. I am talking about the wing having little pads that act like a sta. Also, your wings MUST have slots for the cam bands and not just holes for the bolts to attach them to the plate. Check other manufacturers of Wings and backplates and see what they do. This is a must-do feature. You can still have the option of a standalone STA and the wing-based STA.