Another BP/W thread....

[tbone1004]

I love when tobin doesn't be "that" manufacturer and push his own gear. Plus one for Tobin.

He does raise a valid point. Especially with the STA's and wings, some wings aren't designed to really use them. Although they can, they might not work best with them. Some backplates require them, others don't. Some "can" work without them but because of the rail location the tank is floppy and unstable. All things to consider.

 

[ColinCB]

For your first singles ring I'd suggest sticking with one brand, DSS, DR etc. That way you know the parts are intended to be used together.

Just like the experienced gamer *MAY* be able to piece together a motherboard and processor and video card etc. etc. and end up with a system that *Might* match a prepackaged deal, divers familiar with BP&W's can often make "mix and match" work too.

OTOH the first time buyer of a PC is almost always ahead in terms of cost, compatibility, and performance if they buy a prepackaged "system".

Tobin

Tobin, I appreciate the input.

By the way, I managed to get my Vyper 2 into the boot perfectly! Thanks again!

The only real incompatibility I can see is between the Wing/STA/BP.

I've heard poor things about the DR Voyager 40lb wing, but good things about both the Mach V from oxycheq, your system from DSS, and halcyon.

 

[ColinCB]

Another thing I was thinking about with the whole wing choice, is how much weight I should be dedicating non-ditchable weight vs how much to keep on a belt.

And if I'm using a drysuit or a steel tank.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Another thing I was thinking about with the whole wing choice, is how much weight I should be dedicating non-ditchable weight vs how much to keep on a belt.

For a newer diver, it's probably a good idea to have at least some ditchable weight.

If I choose to have ditchable weight, it's usually approximately the same amount as the weight of my gas.

And if I'm using a drysuit or a steel tank.

Compared to a Catalina S80, when I dive a PST100 or PST120, I can take off 5-6 lbs. of lead. Feel free to look up tank specs and compare the empty buoyancy numbers of various tanks.

For a drysuit, you should know that your weighting requirements will depend largely on the inherent buoyancy of the suit + undergarment and, to a certain extent, on how little gas inside the suit you are willing to tolerate at shallow depths. I prefer to have a generous amount of gas inside the suit on account of thermal considerations. YMMV. For conducting a weight check for a drysuit configuration, I get it close to optimal weighting (± 2 lbs.) and don't think much about it afterward.

 

[smorneau]

I am in the same boat as Collin, except I just purchased a trilam drysuit that won''t be ready for about 3 weeks using 200 or 300 polypro insulation. I will be diving mostly cold water and have steel and AL tanks and plan to sling a AL 40 as a pony. I have been looking at replacing my BC with a bp/w when the new suit arrives. I was looking at a HOG SS plate with the HOG 32lb wing a OMS STA and a DR deluxe harness. I am a slightly negitive boyant and about 200lbs. I too was concerned about 32lbs being enough or will I have enough extra avalible boyancy in my drysuit where it won't really matter?

 

[Bubbletrubble]

@smorneau: Wait until you have your drysuit in hand and can determine the inherent buoyancy of the drysuit + heaviest undergarments.

Your wing needs to have enough lift to be able to do the greater of:

• Floating your BP/W rig at the surface with a full tank without you in it, or
• Compensating for total loss of buoyancy of your drysuit at depth.

For the vast majority of single-tank cold water drysuit divers, a wing with 26-36 lbs. of lift is sufficient. Chances are good that a wing with 32 lbs. of lift will be OK for you.

Talk to Tobin at Deep Sea Supply about wing sizing. It's what he does for a living.

 

[cool_hardware52]

@smorneau: Wait until you have your drysuit in hand and can determine the inherent buoyancy of the drysuit + heaviest undergarments.

Your wing needs to have enough lift to be able to do the greater of:

• Floating your BP/W rig at the surface with a full tank without you in it, or
• Compensating for total loss of buoyancy of your drysuit at depth.

For the vast majority of single-tank cold water drysuit divers, a wing with 26-36 lbs. of lift is sufficient. Chances are good that a wing with 32 lbs. of lift will be OK for you.

Talk to Tobin at Deep Sea Supply about wing sizing. It's what he does for a living.

I agree. 'bout twice a day I recommend people get their exposure suit first and determine it's buoyancy before they buy a wing.

This is particularly true if a diver is planning to use the same gear for both cold water and warm water travel.

Having good buoyancy numbers for the cold water suit allow me to select the smallest wing that safely meets the cold water application. This pays off when that same wing is used in warm water.


Tobin

 

[RadHal]

My first BP&W should be arriving at my front door tomorrow from Tobin at DSS. I dive up here in New England with a Whites Fusion dry suit and Fourth Elements Arctic under garments and tropical with a 3mm wet suit. I use steel 100 and 119 tanks locally. I went with the DSS BP plus the 8.1lbs bolt on weight plates (will remove when traveling), the basic HOG webbing and a 35lbs Torus DSS wing. Tobin is very resourceful and happy to speak to you about your specific requirements. You are more than welocme to PM me and come over and check out my new reg. Good luck.