I'm a new OW Certified diver and would like to get some gear. From the general consensus on here BP/W is the ideal go to BCD. I plan on diving tropical where a 3mm will be the max Wetsuit I'd wear and plan on diving single Aluminum tanks. But I would like to get into technical dives in the future.
The brands that keep popping up is Dive Rite, Deep Sea Supply, and Halcyon. Any other recommendations? I'm going to go more towards a SS plate since I was using 8lbs in a Hydros Pro during my certification dives.
While there are many brands to choose from, some arguably better than others in terms of product quality and support, I would recommend letting requirements and features inform your choices. While most BP/W setups have similar, standardized, or ubiquitous design features that might allow you to mix-n-match components from various manufactures; they can also differ in some significant ways.
The backplates themselves can be made from a wide variety of materials such as Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Titanium, Nylon, Plastic, Carbon Fiber, etc. Each of these may be offered in a variety of thicknesses, or alternately be weight-relieved to make them more travel friendly; or have other unique design features. The wings/bladders come in many different levels of lift (
capacity/size), shapes (
donut vs "U" vs bungeed, etc.), and/or configurations based around an intended use-case. The webbing/harnesses can range from simple one-piece designs, to more elaborate multi-component systems. Some BP/W products may be specifically designed for single-tank usage, while others may not and need to be aided by use of a Single Tank Adapter (
STA) add-on. Perhaps you would prefer a complete factory-assembled system, or maybe you're more comfortable building your own system piecemeal (
component by component)?
The bottom line here is to spend some time researching the features that best support how you intend to use the system. For example: If you are going to be doing single tank recreational diving in the tropics, then you would
NOT need a 6mm SS backplate with a 60lbs bundee wing, when a 3mm SS/BP w/ weight-relieved cutouts and 22lbs donut might be better suited to the task. Aluminum, titanium, nylon, plastic, or carbon fiber might be better for travel, but might also require carrying more ballast when diving or have differing cost or durability considerations, etc.
The basic BP/W is one of those inventions that remains a classic timeless design for some very good reasons. The harness, backplate, and tank all integrate as a single unit that is streamlined and moves as an extension of your body. It is simple, robust, modular, and customizable; and is inherently optimized for weight distribution and unmatched in-water performance.
If I had to pick a down-side it might be that BP/W systems mostly (
not always) come in one size; regardless, you may have to spend some time in
getting it setup to fit correctly. But, once it's right you really don't have to mess with it much.
Hope this is helpful!