Another bp/w thread

[DevonDiver]

Come to Asia... where many of the airlines limit at 15kgs.

 

[Ste Wart]

Come to Asia... where many of the airlines limit at 15kgs.

Air Asia are surprisingly good for Dive Equipment. When I finished last season in Malaysia I flew back to London with them. I think my dive equipment cost me 70 rm (about £15) which was payable at the airport, I was amazed.

 

[herman]

I don't know what exposure suit or the number of tanks the OP wanted to use with the Infinity so I'll refrain from making comments on the wing lift capability.

However, why is a SS plate too heavy for traveling? That's 6lbs of plate plus maybe 1lbs of webbing. The lightest travel BC is about 4-something pound. I'd suggest carry less clothes to compensate for the additional 3lbs. If I were to go on a warm water tropical dive vacation, I'd rather spend the time enjoying the dive with my BPW than using a jacket BC.

Because you have forgotten what it takes to make a complete BC. You need to add the weight of the wing, buckels, Drings,2 cambands and maybe a STA to the BP. Those things add another 3 to 5 lbs to the entire assembly making a SS BP somewhere in the 9 to 11 lb range. Add the fact that most BP/wings have wings that are larger than needed for warm travel locations, this adds more unneeded weight and bulk. The 4 lb weight of a travel BC includes all of this with a smaller bladder. For a BP/wing to compare in weight and volume with a travel BC or most any other BC for that matter, it must have a plastic or aluminum backpack and a smaller wing.

I would rather not lugg a huge BC in my luggage and then dive being overweighted and fighting an oversized bladder half full of air to compensate for the excess negative buoyancy of my BC. A standard SS plate alone overweights me by 2 lbs, the complete rig more like 4, an amount of overweighting I find unacceptable. Contrary to to often made claim, 1 BP/wing will not do it all (at least well).

 

[BoltSnap]

I hope that I am not intruding on the sanctum of this BP/W discussion, but wouldn't a Jacket BC be more practical and less weight for traveling than a BP/W?

Apologies for the intrusion. (Making a hasty retreat).

 

[DevonDiver]

Not really... the lightest travel wings are comparable to travel BCDs. I certainly find it easier to travel (which I do regularly) with by 30lb Ali wing, than any of the jacket BCDs I have owned.

Take, for example:

Oxycheq Mach V Chroma 18lb - 2.9lbs

Oxycheq Ultralite Travel Backplate - 0.56lbs / 9.1 onces / 257 grams.

Hogarthian Harness - 1lb

Total weight - 4.46lbs

Plus, packs flatter than a jacket BCD. Can quickly be disassembled or even stored in carry-on luggage.

 

[BoltSnap]

Thank you Andy. You are a gentlemen as always!!

 

[Skydiver1]

Because you have forgotten what it takes to make a complete BC. You need to add the weight of the wing, buckels, Drings,2 cambands and maybe a STA to the BP. Those things add another 3 to 5 lbs to the entire assembly making a SS BP somewhere in the 9 to 11 lb range. Add the fact that most BP/wings have wings that are larger than needed for warm travel locations, this adds more unneeded weight and bulk. The 4 lb weight of a travel BC includes all of this with a smaller bladder. For a BP/wing to compare in weight and volume with a travel BC or most any other BC for that matter, it must have a plastic or aluminum backpack and a smaller wing.

I would rather not lugg a huge BC in my luggage and then dive being overweighted and fighting an oversized bladder half full of air to compensate for the excess negative buoyancy of my BC. A standard SS plate alone overweights me by 2 lbs, the complete rig more like 4, an amount of overweighting I find unacceptable. Contrary to to often made claim, 1 BP/wing will not do it all (at least well).

What about buying an Al back plate and a steel back plate, and switching depending on location? Are they easy to switch?

The Apeks single tank wing seems to only be available at 32lbs lift (wtx3)

 

[DevonDiver]

Switching backplates or wings is just a case of unscrewing two bolts. Maybe a 2 minute job for the most sausage fingered diver?

I have both SS and Ali backplates... but pre-rigged with Hog harnesses. I can inter-change these as necessary between my 3 wings.

It's best to work out your individual buoyancy requirements on a personal basis. Search the forum for the 'Wing Lift Calculator'. It's very helpful. 30lbs is a LOT of lift when you think about it....

 

[Ragnar]

I hope that I am not intruding on the sanctum of this BP/W discussion, but wouldn't a Jacket BC be more practical and less weight for traveling than a BP/W?

Apologies for the intrusion. (Making a hasty retreat).

I am able to do about the same thing with my DSS Kydex BP and 30lb wing as I did with a jacket.......can get one complete set of warm water gear in an airline standard 22" rollbag, including fins.

 

[Ste Wart]

What about buying an Al back plate and a steel back plate, and switching depending on location? Are they easy to switch?

The Apeks single tank wing seems to only be available at 32lbs lift (wtx3)

Pretty easy. I have my cambands going through the BP rather than have a single tank adapter. Slide this out slap on a different BP and you're done.



Yes, that's one of the Apeks I have. It's a decent sized wing though, I was surprised at it's size initially, but it doesn't have a negative drag to it. Plus it rolls up rather neatly if you want to save space when travelling.
You can try looking up the WTX4, it can also accommodate a single tank.

Which sites are you looking at? PM if you need a few UK options.