Adding a plate and wings to a Genesis Recon back inflate.

[Tao of the Dive]

Okay, I've got my Genesis Recon back inflate, and I really want to add a backplate to it and a wing. The wing that is on there now has 75 pounds of lift, probably more than I'll ever need. But I want to add doubles later, and i do not liek the way Genesis has it set up for doubles. The attachment I have to buy for the doubles just looks flimsy, and the way the system is set up, it just doesnt look like there would me much support without the benefit of a plate.

My question is, can it be done?

To answer the why would you question, i want the benefit of the plate and doubles, without the problems associated with rigging a harness, and i like my integrated weights and location of the D rings and such. So it's a comfort issue as well. Any thoughts, advice personal knowledge?

 

[Dive Rite]

Hey Tao,

I'm not sure what type of system you're wanting to create. Adding another wing to a system that already has 75lbs of lift might be asking for trouble in the water. If you're looking to transition to doubles and get into tech diving, the safety and good trim and buoyancy are critical. It takes tech equipment to achieve both with proper lift and design.

As for creating the rig you've described, your best bet is to talk to Genesis and find out if their rig can be adapted with a plate and extra wing. By looking at a pic of the rig, I don't see how that's done, but they'll be better able to advise you.

Best,
Kathleen

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I've seen and used a recon in the pool. It's a nice bc for what it is. What it is not is good doubles rig. The cost of a new BPW set up for doubles would not be much more and a LOT less hassle than what you are wanting to do. Rigging a plate and harness is easy. Setting up and moving drings (of which you only need 3 maybe 4 tops) is just as simple. The recon is too floppy and has too much going on to make it a good and efficient doubles rig. You may also find that by going to a plate and hog harness that you don't need those integrated weights. Especially with double steels. You may not need any weight at all. Integrated weights are not necessarily a good thing on tech rigs. Especially with newer divers who have been most likely trained or practiced dropping the entire system. I find a hog harness with a weight belt for when weights are needed to be much more efficient, safer, and reliable. You should get a copy of Tom Mount's Encyclopedia of Mied Gas and Exploration Diving aka the Tao of Underwater Survival and read and pay attention to his recommendations for equipment selection. It is not only good for tech divers but any diver will benefit from taking his advice to heart. It will also save many a great deal of money.

 

[Tao of the Dive]

Thanks to both of you for your answers. You were very helpful. But to put your mind at ease DiveRite, I was not thinking of diving dual wings, just the one. In fact I was going to shoot for one with less lift, so it would be less bulky. There are bungies on the wing on there now, but they are far and few between, and they just dont close the wing efficiently enough for my tastes.

@Jim- Yeah, the Recon is kinda floppy. My hope was to add a plate to stabilize it and make it worth diving doubles, even if I had to eventually ditch the integrated weights completely. One thing i did like was the trim weight pouches, and just how comfortable it is as far as rigs go. I've had it so long, I'd like to extend it's life expectancy and use. I may go ahead with a harness and wing at some point, but I may just go ahead and add a wing and plate to the recon as a project rig, just to see if it would improve. Again, thank you both for your input, it's been very helpful.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Way back when I dove a recon with the plate option for it. Not ideal, but it kept me in line with what the shop had/sold. Personally, if you don't have to dive it, I'd just go with a regular BP wing - it will work a lot better in the long run. As for weight integration DR makes some very noice integrated weight pockets in 16 and 32 pound max capacity flavors.