1st Back Plate Disappointment

[Inazuma zoomer]

Hi everyone
Looking for a bit of advice…

I’ve just bought my 1st bp and harness and I’m a bit disappointed.

To me it seems the shoulder slots are at the wrong angle. They’re fine when the straps are straight (with 2” space), but as soon as I put it on, the shoulder strap angle means only the inside edge of the webbing is tensioned. Surely this will wear the edge/ harness faster? Is this right?

Has anyone else noticed this - I’ve looked at other plates online, but they all seem the same? Is it just how it is? It was sold as a Scubapro plate and harness.

View attachment 845194
Webbing is taught against full edge of the slot

View attachment 845195
Slots not aligned with shoulder angle

View attachment 845196
Definitely slack on outside edges

View attachment 845197
Better view showing only inside edge tight against the plate

Any advice more than appreciated - if only to put my mind at ease.
Thanks

 

[lexvil]

Get the straps wet, attach a tank and put it on, the straps will tank the needed shape, now take it off, remove the tank and put it away and stop looking at it, all will be fine.

 

[Inazuma zoomer]

…and put it away and stop looking at it, all will be fine.

Perfect - thanks

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

The slot configuration on those style of plates were originally designed for the straps to cross before they went over your shoulders. Most people now want to run them straight over but it seems no maker of that style of plate ever redesigned the slots to account for that. People don’t seem to care even if one side rubs more, they just run it and so far so good.
So just run it.

 

[rx7diver]

... I’ve looked at other plates online, but they all seem the same? Is it just how it is? ..

I've again using the (original) DiveRite Al backplate I purchased new ca. 1994. Its slots are cut to facilitate crossing the harness shoulder straps, which is how I continue to wear my simple harness (now with my baby doubles). I prefer crossed straps.

You might try crossed straps to see how they feel to you.

rx7diver

 

[GDHLEWIS]

I have the exact same issue with the X-deep zen. On the second year and had to replace the webbing entirely due to the wear on one side. Webbing is so cheap and simple to replace Ill live with it and spend my time searching for that perfect BP/W.

 

[happy-diver]

So if you don't walk on the bottom or dive stiff like a board



is it really a backpack so unless you're walking for 55mins and diving for 5 what's damaging the harnessezus

 

[Inazuma zoomer]

The slot configuration on those style of plates were originally designed for the straps to cross before they went over your shoulders. Most people now want to run them straight over but it seems no maker of that style of plate ever redesigned the slots to account for that. People don’t seem to care even if one side rubs more, they just run it and so far so good.
So just run it.

Thanks for explaining it,

Trouble is I’m not most people, I like things to be right, esp if I see what I think is an obvious flaw. I’m already working on a carbon fibre plate. I can angle the slots any way then.

 

[Inazuma zoomer]

I have the exact same issue with the X-deep zen. On the second year and had to replace the webbing entirely due to the wear on one side. Webbing is so cheap and simple to replace Ill live with it and spend my time searching for that perfect BP/W.

Excellent - thank you. It’s not just me being overly pedantic then. I’m already working on a carbon fibre plate so I can angle the slots to avoid the edge hot spot.

 

[jeasy22]

Great