An honest question

[NJScubaDoc]

I know some people like to use a typical bc and some people like to wear a bp/w setup which I don't have a problem with, to each his own. I personally use a seaquest black diamond weight integrated back inflate bc. I really can't see the difference between that and a bp/w setup. Does it have something to do with the interchable bladder? If so, why would you want to change them? I understand that the backplate can sometimes allow you to shed a few pounds of lead considering it is steel, but is that really a problem? Is there a different way of wearing weight that this setup offers? Is there some other aspect of a bp/w that is highly desireable? I'm really looking for some objective answers here and would appreciate any feedback other divers have.

Thanks.

 

[scubapolly]

The biggest advantage of a BP/W is that you can use it with doubles.

The reason you want the interchangable bladder is so you can alter your lift depending on what size tanks you are diving. It is kind of stupid to dive a single tank with a bladder with 100# of lift.

The positioning of the weight is another advantage of BP/W too, but really the doubles thing is the big advantage.

Great question! Wish more would ask questions rather than following blindly

 

[NJScubaDoc]

So if your a tech diver this set up pays off big time. Can you elaborate on the weight distribution? Also, is there a considerable price differential between the two? If there are any recreational divers that use this system I'd like to hear why as well.

Thanks for the response.

 

[scubapolly]

well back plates are negatively buoyant. the weight is distributed from your shoulders to your waist making it so that it is easier for you to maintain a more trim position in the water. (more weight up towards the shoulders can help keep the head down). SS Back plates are about 5 lbs negative. You can also add plate weights like this http://deepseasupply.com/page8.html or tank weights which fit between the tanks.
Cost wise there isn't a huge price difference depending on what type of BC you are looking at. You are looking at about $600 for a BP/W/ harness

 

[kraken]

I would say that most people I know that have tried a bp/w never go back to a soft BC. Part of it is comfort, I know this sounds silly, how can a slab of steel be more comfortable? For me the bp/w fits right up against my back and holds the tank there closer as well. Traditional BCs would slide around a bit, but that pretty much never happens to a bp/w. I have 5 friends that have tried and not gone back, 3 of them women. I also found I was able to drop a few more pounds beyond the expected 6 for SS B/P... in fact I dropped 8lbs..., I believe the extra 2lbs came from the material/air trapping with a normal BC. I've dove IDI Advantage (back inflact), IDI Nekton and and old Scubapro that I can't remember the model name.

I also like mine since it keeps my chest area free.

I suggest see if your local store will rent you a bp/w, if you don't need the extra weight go with the AL unit.

Final note, if you like to dive in just a t-shirt it is not the solution for you, a 3mm is really required.

dave

 

[NJScubaDoc]

The closest thing I'll ever see to a 3mm is the skirt on my hood . I dive primarily in NJ so unless your doing shallow diving a drysuit is the exposure protection of choice. Makes a lot of sense now that a good number of divers around here would use these as many of the more elusive wrecks are better enjoyed from a technical aspect. Thanks for the responses guys.

 

[TSandM]

I've recently made the switch. I started diving the BP/W because it was required for a class I was going to take, and almost immediately decided I was not going back.

My reasons: I'm small, and the BP/W/harness setup allows me to adjust things so that they FIT. The tank is fixed in position, and doesn't shift, and I can forget the "elbow-tank-repositioning" skill I so painfully learned. It's very comfortable (I don't understand that part, but don't question it.) It makes it easy for me to put some weight on a waist belt and get it off my shoulders, so less neck and shoulder pain post dive. Plus, it's clean and elegant and uncluttered, and things are organized.

Downsides: You have to have some kind of pockets for incidentals. I just made my maiden voyage at gluing dry suit pockets, and the jury is out on whether it was an adequate job. It is a little more difficult to get in and out of the harness in a dry suit without quick releases, but you can learn how, and if somebody you dive with has a tailgate up high enough, you're golden.

I also like the fact that the harness is quicky and easily adjustable, so that within a fairly wide range (unless you trim your webbing too close) you can lend gear, or adjust for various exposure suits. I couldn't lend my BC to anybody, because it was too little. The BP/W assembly I'm diving now was adjusted down from a much larger man to fit me, in about ten minutes (would have taken less if I had done it before).

 

[CIBDiving]

The Last "BC" I owned was a Zeagle Ranger. Before that it was a cheaper back inflate BC that started life weight intergfrated and had the ( I considered) "unsafe" pockets removed, and before that a jacket type - never mind any further back. I always felt I was diving IN a BC not with a bc (if you get what I'm saying ), I was always concious of the BC being on my body, of the tank rolling from side to side, of ( even With a crotch strap) haveing it move up or down. In '97 I was in florida on a trip and ran into a guy that let me try his BP/W. I'd never felt anything like it - it was "bolted" to my shoulder blades, the bottle didn't move you didn't even know it was there if you didn't feel for it. The same with the rest of the rig, I wasn't 'wearing' it it was, Not a part of me, but unnoticable as you dove. I've never used anything else since, and couldn't imagine going back.

 

[Bruciebabe]

BP/W is more streamlined.
Also the bladder goes up the side of the tank/s so you "hang" far more on your buoyancy which is more stable underwater and means you can lean back on it on the surface.

 

[Hoyden]

I think that the best things about a bp/w are:

1. It is infinitely adjustable - no matter how much weight you lose or gain or what thickness wetsuit/drysuit you wear, you can get a perfect fit. Over the last two years I have lost 40 lbs. My bp/w is the only thing that old that still fits.

2. It is modular so you can replace individual parts of the rig to accommodate wear and tear or new uses. For example, if you wear out your harness, it can be replaced cheaply. If you go to a heavier or lighter tank set-up, you can change the bladder to have more or less lift.

3. It provides better buoyancy/trim control (as mentioned above) because of the weight distribution and location of the lift bladder.

4. It is more stable in the horizontal position for the same reasons as #3.

5. You can configure it to be very travel friendly.

6. The crotch strap keeps the rig from moving.

7. You can drop weight from your weight belt or lose it all together.

If I have a choice (and I do) I will never dive any other type of BC.

JMO,

Jackie