Help the new guy pick a BP/W

[cbbr]

The amount of info here is a little overwhelming.

So here goes - I am 200lbs, 6ft. I currently dive a Mares Prestige/aluminum tank (single) and about 8lbs of lead. I have 100+ dives, boat and shore so not a ton of experiance, but a little.

I will exclusively be diving warm water with it, no wetsuit and want a BP/W for travel (airline). Nothing technical and single tank.

Lighter and easy to pack is better. New/used/open box... Doesn't matter. Suggestions?

 

[chris kippax]

VDH 18 with a HOG aluminium plate, Halcyon harness & hardware kit.HOG plastic buckle cam bands
Excellent value for money and a very solid rig. This is exactly my tropical rig.
What are you going to do for weight placement? Weight belt? If so check out the Mako freediving rubber belts.

Store | Vintage Double Hose
HOG Aluminum Backplate - Red
HOG Tank Strap with Plastic Cam Buckle - Products
Extreme Exposure

 

[loosenit2]

+1 for VDH wings, great stuff. They sell plates and harnesses that are great as well. Other alternatives are the DGX wing or the DRIS mirage, can’t go wrong with any of the 3.

 

[BoltSnap]

DGX Custom - OMS IQ Lite Backpack Singles Package | Dive Gear Express®

 

[Barnaby'sDad]

DGX Custom - OMS IQ Lite Backpack Singles Package | Dive Gear Express®

Yup. That. That’s what I should have went with for my new setup. Value wise...I don’t think you’re going to beat that.

HOG is another good option.

 

[BoltSnap]

Yup. That. That’s what I should have went with for my new setup. Value wise...I don’t think you’re going to beat that.

HOG is another good option.

There is this version of the OMS bc but it doesn't appear to be available in the US (but not sure):

https://www.bts-store.de/oms/bc-systeme/systeme/2095/iq-lite-cummerbund-cb-signature-system?c=1172

 

[happy-diver]

I've got a VDH 18 good parts good manufacturing, roll control, tough wing

flexible diving backplate

me never understand rectangular steel plate pressing in back and pushing in pack

 

[Barnaby'sDad]

There is this version of the OMS bc but it doesn't appear to be available in the US (but not sure):

https://www.bts-store.de/oms/bc-systeme/systeme/2095/iq-lite-cummerbund-cb-signature-system?c=1172

I “discovered” this on the Dive Rite website and just had to have it. Stainless steel, but similar in weight to a typical aluminum plate.

I've got a VDH 18 good parts good manufacturing, roll control, tough wing

flexible diving backplate

me never understand rectangular steel plate pressing in back and pushing in pack

I started with the HOG TBCS (soft plate). It’s a nice setup.

You don’t notice the metal plate if you have everything adjusted properly. That is to say that it doesn’t bug me. Then again...I’ll likely never dive without at least a 3mm wetsuit, so there’s some padding between me and the plate.

 

[drrich2]

If you have lots of free time and love to read, a lot of people here helped me when I was wading through options - Mulling over BP/W options...

Richard.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

Paragon Single Tank Package - Subgravity