Another BPW Question

[ronscuba]

Yes, but again, the rigid plate is a big part of what makes BP/Ws work so well. It's really easy to understand why once you actually use this gear repeatedly. The cylinder must be mounted on your back one way or the other, and a rigid flat plate (or sort-of-flat) does this in a way that soft harness systems simply do not.

I agree it does feel different. For me the difference is not huge. Maybe because I dive warm water with aluminum 80's. An aluminum tank is not heavy underwater, so the benefits of the rigid plate is not a big deal in my eyes. They dive very similar. A soft plate also eliminates the concern of the wing getting damaged by the hard plate.

To me a bigger difference would be if you removed the crotch strap from either.

 

[TotDoc]

Yes, but again, the rigid plate is a big part of what makes BP/Ws work so well. It's really easy to understand why once you actually use this gear repeatedly. The cylinder must be mounted on your back one way or the other, and a rigid flat plate (or sort-of-flat) does this in a way that soft harness systems simply do not.

I own a Zeagle ET with an upgraded doughnut wing and a Halcyon BP/W. When using singles in warm water, I don't notice any significant difference between the 2. I think it's a bit of a misnomer calling the backplate of the Zeagle a soft plate. Sure, it is more pliable than a solid metal plate, however, it is FAR from mushy. It does a fine job holding the tank securely, just as you described the rigid plate would. There is no rolling of the tank side to side. A crotch strap, as already mentioned, does make a big difference for front to back stability, however, and that has nothing to do with the rigidity of the backplate.

Now as far as the ballast provided by a steel plate? I agree shifting weight to your back rather than your belt is a good idea, and it does balance out the rig nicely - but what about warm water diving while using steel tanks? I don't NEED the weight of the steel backplate in that situation - in fact, the extra weight is enough to make me a dirt dart. The "soft" plate of the Zeagle functions like an aluminum backplate, helping shed the unneeded weight. I don't think you'd argue that a BP/W with an aluminum backplate isn't really a BP/W, would you? Each setup has it's advantage in the appropriate scenario.

To answer the original question, then - the "feel" of the Zeagle vs a standard BP/W is very similar. When wearing neoprene, even thin stuff, both are plenty comfortable. In colder water or with aluminum tanks and wearing weights, I do notice a difference in how the rig trims out in the water. That's where you will find the advantage of the steel backplate. If you were to try a BP/W with an aluminum plate, it would feel analogous to the Zeagle.

The STA question has already been answered quite thoroughly!

 

[tracydr]

What exactly does the crotch strap do? I try to explain to my husband that he will be happier with his rig if he tightens the crotch strap up enough to at least have contact with his drysuit. He's been diving it so loose that there is 6" of air between the strap and suit. I haven't been able to impress upon him how important it is to fit a little bit snugly, mainly because I don't understand its purpose well myself.
He's perfectly happy with the stability of his rig so he sees no good reason to change.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

If single tank diving is all you are going to do you could also look into one of my plates.
Do a search on "Freedom Contour".

It's a steel plate that is specifically designed for single tank use, not a converted flat piece of metal with a channel. It's shaped and contoured to fit your back both vertically and around your waist.
It does not require a STA because of the rail system which provides two rail surfaces for the tank to center on. Picture a railroad track with a 15' diameter pipe laying on it, the rail system is a miniature version of that.
Not only that, but the rails are set so that the tank is kicked away from the bottom of the plate about an inch more than the top to make up for the reverse in-slope of your back.
The sides around the shoulder blades are narrowed so that the plate will drop into the grove in the center of your back and fit snug and leaves your shoulder blades completely free to move, this is where it got the name.
Any single tank wing with slots can be used. Single tank wings without slots can be modified to work by taking a hot butter knife and melting in slots where they need to be. Some wings have tank stabilizing components buit in, those are not needed with the Freedom Plate. The DSS wing's stabilizing block sewn into the center of their wing is the only one so far that I know of that might cause a problem. All others on different brands ride outside of the rails and do not get in the way - AFAIK.

The plate takes a single piece of webbing just like a conventional plate and can be rigged exactly the same. The difference is how the straps come out of the top of the plate, on the Freedom plate the straps come out of a single wide slot and form a V which is very comfortable on your shoulders and very stable. That design prevents the straps from creeping off your shoulders.
The sides curve to follow the contour of your waist shape so the straps continue seamlessly around your waist just like the shoulders.

There is a small and a large version.
The small is 3 lbs and the large is 4 lbs. Small fits people 5-2 to 6-0 and the large from 5-7 to 6-5 or taller. These are approximates.
Alloy is 316

Sorry, but I can't sit out on these threads any more. I know it's a shameless plug but I got to throw it out there and say something.
I don't see any other way, I gotta let people know that could benefit with this style plate...

 

[TotDoc]

What exactly does the crotch strap do? I try to explain to my husband that he will be happier with his rig if he tightens the crotch strap up enough to at least have contact with his drysuit. He's been diving it so loose that there is 6" of air between the strap and suit. I haven't been able to impress upon him how important it is to fit a little bit snugly, mainly because I don't understand its purpose well myself.
He's perfectly happy with the stability of his rig so he sees no good reason to change.

Some people (myself included) like to leave the shoulder straps on their BP/W a little loose to make it a little easier to get in and out of. In that situation, the crotch strap helps hold everything in place better, and really helps make the rig more stable. Specifically, if I am floating at the surface, or if I am moving around in funny positions trying to take pics, I find the plate can migrate towards my head without the crotch strap in place. I notice this even more at depth, when the wing has some air in it and my suit is more compressed. If your husband feels like his rig is rock solid and not moving on him at all, then he probably has his shoulder straps down nice and snug, and maybe he wouldn't notice a big benefit by cinching down the crotch strap. I would agree, though, that he might as well tighten it to the point that it COULD help. It's not like it would be uncomfortable, particularly over a drysuit.

Aside from the added front to back stability, the crotch strap is a great place to attach a scooter or reels.

 

[phoenix31tt]

Some people (myself included) like to leave the shoulder straps on their BP/W a little loose to make it a little easier to get in and out of. In that situation, the crotch strap helps hold everything in place better, and really helps make the rig more stable. Specifically, if I am floating at the surface, or if I am moving around in funny positions trying to take pics, I find the plate can migrate towards my head without the crotch strap in place. I notice this even more at depth, when the wing has some air in it and my suit is more compressed. If your husband feels like his rig is rock solid and not moving on him at all, then he probably has his shoulder straps down nice and snug, and maybe he wouldn't notice a big benefit by cinching down the crotch strap. I would agree, though, that he might as well tighten it to the point that it COULD help. It's not like it would be uncomfortable, particularly over a drysuit.

Aside from the added front to back stability, the crotch strap is a great place to attach a scooter or reels.

well said.. when i was researching bpw on this board, alot of members advised to configure it like that... loose shoulders, tighter crotch straps.

my bpw is seemless to don/doff and is perfectly stable in the water... best of both worlds...

 

[rhincodon]

If single tank diving is all you are going to do you could also look into one of my plates.
Do a search on "Freedom Contour".

It's a steel plate that is specifically designed for single tank use, not a converted flat piece of metal with a channel. It's shaped and contoured to fit your back both vertically and around your waist.
It does not require a STA because of the rail system which provides two rail surfaces for the tank to center on. Picture a railroad track with a 15' diameter pipe laying on it, the rail system is a miniature version of that.
Not only that, but the rails are set so that the tank is kicked away from the bottom of the plate about an inch more than the top to make up for the reverse in-slope of your back.
The sides around the shoulder blades are narrowed so that the plate will drop into the grove in the center of your back and fit snug and leaves your shoulder blades completely free to move, this is where it got the name.
Any single tank wing with slots can be used. Single tank wings without slots can be modified to work by taking a hot butter knife and melting in slots where they need to be. Some wings have tank stabilizing components buit in, those are not needed with the Freedom Plate. The DSS wing's stabilizing block sewn into the center of their wing is the only one so far that I know of that might cause a problem. All others on different brands ride outside of the rails and do not get in the way - AFAIK.

The plate takes a single piece of webbing just like a conventional plate and can be rigged exactly the same. The difference is how the straps come out of the top of the plate, on the Freedom plate the straps come out of a single wide slot and form a V which is very comfortable on your shoulders and very stable. That design prevents the straps from creeping off your shoulders.
The sides curve to follow the contour of your waist shape so the straps continue seamlessly around your waist just like the shoulders.

There is a small and a large version.
The small is 3 lbs and the large is 4 lbs. Small fits people 5-2 to 6-0 and the large from 5-7 to 6-5 or taller. These are approximates.
Alloy is 316

Sorry, but I can't sit out on these threads any more. I know it's a shameless plug but I got to throw it out there and say something.
I don't see any other way, I gotta let people know that could benefit with this style plate...

PM sent. This plate looks awesome!