jthbones
Registered
Whats the difference besides the obvious? pros/cons and why?
Aluminum vs SS Backplate
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LeadTurn_SD
Contributor
Weight, weight and weight are the answers 
If you need more ballast (thick wetsuit, aluminum tank, excess "bioprene", etc.,), steel is the way to go. Most steel plates are in the 5.5lb ballpark.
If you need less weight, or to reduce the fixed weight in your rig (due to thin wetsuit, steel tank, for travel, etc.) aluminum is the way to go. Most aluminum plates are in the 2 lb ballpark I believe.
Steel may be a bit more durable over time, but the aluminum plates should last a good long time.... I have a S/S plate and love it. But I'd probably have loved an aluminum plate too (but would need a couple more lbs on my weight belt).... if I decide to set up a doubles rig, I'll use aluminum. For my single AL80 diving, I prefer S/S.
Best wishes.
If you need more ballast (thick wetsuit, aluminum tank, excess "bioprene", etc.,), steel is the way to go. Most steel plates are in the 5.5lb ballpark.
If you need less weight, or to reduce the fixed weight in your rig (due to thin wetsuit, steel tank, for travel, etc.) aluminum is the way to go. Most aluminum plates are in the 2 lb ballpark I believe.
Steel may be a bit more durable over time, but the aluminum plates should last a good long time.... I have a S/S plate and love it. But I'd probably have loved an aluminum plate too (but would need a couple more lbs on my weight belt).... if I decide to set up a doubles rig, I'll use aluminum. For my single AL80 diving, I prefer S/S.
Best wishes.
I have steel, aluminum and plastic backplates for different applications. I normally use steel in the ocean and aluminum in fresh water.
Here are some differences I've noticed (excluding the obvious weight difference)
They both have their places. If I had to choose one over the other, it would be aluminum.
Jeff
Here are some differences I've noticed (excluding the obvious weight difference)
- The steel plate tends to pitch more forward and requires some weight on the lower end such as on the waist straps of lower cam strap.
- The steel plate feels colder in cold water
- The aluminum plate works better with doubles because it is more flexible, which sometimes is needed to put the rig together.
- The aluminum plate is easier to trim out without adding back weights merely by resetting it on the tank.
- The Aluminum is faster and easier when it comes to changing tanks on a boat, merely because of its lighter weight.
- The aluminum travels more easily.
They both have their places. If I had to choose one over the other, it would be aluminum.
Jeff
Bottom line is the obvious weight.
Here is another tidbit that should be obvious but often isn't considered:
You can take a lighter AL plate and use weights to correct you buoyancy but you can't easily remove weight from a heavier SS plate if you should really need to. So consider what your needs really are. I myself own 1 of each SS and AL but if I was on a stricter budget I'd purchace the AL plate it is generally a few dollars less expensive and you can throw some weights in trim pockets and/or on a belt if needed.
Here is another tidbit that should be obvious but often isn't considered:
You can take a lighter AL plate and use weights to correct you buoyancy but you can't easily remove weight from a heavier SS plate if you should really need to. So consider what your needs really are. I myself own 1 of each SS and AL but if I was on a stricter budget I'd purchace the AL plate it is generally a few dollars less expensive and you can throw some weights in trim pockets and/or on a belt if needed.
