Another bp/w thread

[herman]

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)

Sure you can and it's not that big of a deal to swap out but by the time you have a second plate and harness set up you might as well buy a wing to go with them. My not so suttle point is that BP/wing proponents like to claim you will only need one but almost none of them actually own just one, different jobs require different tools. My most recent BC is a Zeagle Express Tech which is a BP/wing and the main reason I bought it was the size, weight and ability to configure it the way I want.

 

[fnfalman]

My not so suttle point is that BP/wing proponents like to claim you will only need one but almost none of them actually own just one, different jobs require different tools.

Actually, you'd need just one and switch out the wings. None of us actually own only one set of rig not because we need more than one set but because it's cool to have more than one toy. Sure we can justify cold water/warm water dive, double tanks/single tank dive, blah, blah, blah. But in the end we have more than one rig just because it's cool.

 

[fjpatrum]

Sure you can and it's not that big of a deal to swap out but by the time you have a second plate and harness set up you might as well buy a wing to go with them. My not so suttle point is that BP/wing proponents like to claim you will only need one but almost none of them actually own just one, different jobs require different tools. My most recent BC is a Zeagle Express Tech which is a BP/wing and the main reason I bought it was the size, weight and ability to configure it the way I want.

Your "not so subtle point" is just as misleading as those people who swear bp/w is the best tool for every job. Many people have multiple wings not because they want warm water/cold water rigs, but because they want single and double rigs. As you said, different tools for different jobs, but the BP portion stays the same. The implication that "you might as well buy a wing for both" is disingenuous, as you well know. The wing is the expensive portion of the system, and those on a budget don't need more than one any more than a vest diver needs more than one vest.

I have exactly one wing. It's an old horse collar I converted (to save money on the "expensive portion of the system" and stay in my budget). I currently have a SS backplate and a PVC backplate I made myself before I bought the steel plate. Both are strung with a webbing harness. It's a matter of about 40 seconds to switch my wing and cambands between the two plates. Why did I buy the steel plate, if my PVC plate is functional? I have no hips and wearing a weight belt is difficult when diving wet in cold water if you have no hips. The extra weight of the steel is nice for me. I haven't dove my SS plate in warm water yet, but hopefully will soon. At that point, I'll determine whether or not I even need the PVC plate, but I suspect I won't. Then I have exactly one rig that is compact and easily packed for travel that can fit a range of conditions quite well. At most it weighs 8 pounds (with STA and wing included) and fits into a small child's backpack (with the wing rolled up). My vest BC weighed 6.5 pounds (ish) and couldn't fit into a rollerboard type carry on- it had to be in a full size suitcase or large duffle. If I decide I still need the PVC plate, my weight drops to about 4 pounds and it fits in the same space my SS plate does.

My biggest factor was fit, and after traveling, bulk of my vest BC. When traveling with young children, the smallest form factor I can find for "stuff" is the best choice for me. I have enough crap to carry for purposes of entertaining my family without adding bulk in my gear too.

 

[Teamcasa]

... for diving in UK and Ireland. <snip> I was wondering if a SS backplate would be okay for diving in warmer locations.

I use the Apeks WTX Harness System for both warm and cold water diving. When I travel it's generally single tank diving so I have no real need for the steel plate. With this system, I just pull the plate out and presto! I have a warm water, light weight travel system. It's a well built, solid diving platform.

 

[Skydiver1]

I use the Apeks WTX Harness System for both warm and cold water diving. When I travel it's generally single tank diving so I have no real need for the steel plate. With this system, I just pull the plate out and presto! I have a warm water, light weight travel system. It's a well built, solid diving platform.

Can anyone tell me the main pros and cons of the WTX harness system versus the Apeks one piece harness?

I presume the benefit of the WTX harness is that it does not require a back plate? (I also note that a few of the websites Ive looked at refer to the one-piece harness as useful for taking loads of "technical" divers - I'm not sure if this is trying to encourage clueless rec divers, like myself, to get the WTX harness.

Also, was wondering how you get out of a one piece harness underwater. Do you just exit the shoulders first, and then push it down to release the rest of the system. Thanks.

 

[Ste Wart]

Can anyone tell me the main pros and cons of the WTX harness system versus the Apeks one piece harness?

I presume the benefit of the WTX harness is that it does not require a back plate? (I also note that a few of the websites Ive looked at refer to the one-piece harness as useful for taking loads of "technical" divers - I'm not sure if this is trying to encourage clueless rec divers, like myself, to get the WTX harness.

Also, was wondering how you get out of a one piece harness underwater. Do you just exit the shoulders first, and then push it down to release the rest of the system. Thanks.

The WTX harness needs either a BP or stabilising plates to be used with doubles. The BP or plates go underneath the padding for harness. A friend of mine used this for his Adv Nitrox course and the unit was very stable. I'm not overly thrilled with the positioning of the D-rings, but he seemed to have no trouble on the course.
I've got the One-piece APEKs harness, I have an Ally BP from IST because I couldn't find an APEKs one, however it is a just metal after all. The harness is easy to assemble with clear instructions. It takes about an hour so to get the perfect fit as you have to keep trying it on and repostioning certain things e.g D-rings. Even then after the first dive you will have to make a few more minor adjustments. Then you're set... as long as you always dive the same exposure suit....
Getting in and out of One piece underwater? That would depend on flexibility, you might be able to maneuver you left arm out the shoulder strap or you may need to lift the whole unit over your head.
For what it's worth, I've become converted to the one-piece. I've only been using one for 4 months now. My last harness had clips, but was hard to adjust (see the Zeagle harness system). It now feels like a 2nd skin under water. But there was definitely trial and error. I think the reward is worth the effort.

 

[Tortuga68]

Also, was wondering how you get out of a one piece harness underwater. Do you just exit the shoulders first, and then push it down to release the rest of the system. Thanks.

I think you might be misunderstanding the term one-piece

"One-piece" refers to the waist and shoulder straps being made from a continuous length of webbing... there is a buckle at the front of the waist harness (where the start and end of the continuous length meet), and the crotch strap is a separate piece with a loop that goes over the waist harness

To get out - whether in, on or above water - you undo the waist harness buckle (same as a weight belt buckle) & slide the crotch strap off. Then it's only the shoulder straps, which you can "chicken wing" out of if need be

Hope that helps

 

[Ragnar]

I use the Apeks WTX Harness System for both warm and cold water diving. When I travel it's generally single tank diving so I have no real need for the steel plate. With this system, I just pull the plate out and presto! I have a warm water, light weight travel system. It's a well built, solid diving platform.
[/IMG]

It must also get the award for the most number of D-rings! What do you do slide in an Aluminum plate when traveling?.......I'm not familiar.

 

[Teamcasa]

It must also get the award for the most number of D-rings! What do you do slide in an Aluminum plate when traveling?.......I'm not familiar.

Actually, I just toss in 2, 2lb soft weights or a couple of ankle weights (whatever the shop has) when I travel. The hard back plate is only really necessary when you use it for sporting a set of double tanks.

As for the numerous D rings, most of them are small and out of the way so I really don't care about them.

 

[mahjong]

I have attached two pics of my homemade travel rig. I only have a house scale, so not accurate to the oz, but it weighs under (probably just under) 5lbs. I prefer the hard backplate to a soft one. This rig has 3 trim weight pockets (holds up to 15lbs). Here's a fuller description:

Scubapro Plastic BP (poached from my old Knighthawk; it's slightly curved at the waist and has a narrower tank mounting plate than the older SP backplates).

Dive Rite Travel Exp Wing 27# - To install the tank mounting plate, I had to clip the sections of the center vertical cross strap between the grommets and the center horizontal cross strap (the grommets are still there but not being used; I simply tied them down with zip ties; the wing can still be used and locked down on a conventional backplate, but I have other wings for that .

16" corrugated hose, Scubapro inflator.

Halcyon harness (lighter and softer than most); two bent SS D-rings, two Delrin D-rings; Delrin waist buckle.

Two XS Scuba Quick Release Weight Pockets on the waist band (5 lb capacity each)

One Scubapro Tank Cam Band with an XS Scuba Quick Attach Trim Weight Pocket (5 lb capacity)

Tank locator strap (3/4" nylon webbing; one locking tri-glide)

One tiny knife on the waist belt (DSS standard issue)

I think that's it. Extremely light, just under 5lbs, with only one cam band, weight pockets, a knife, and solid backplate stability. Plus the built-in SP carry handle to boot--it's ready for the road!