Apeks WTX Harness - Experiences?

[Ron Brandt]

If you try the BP/W, you might want to use a comfort harness. Both DSS & Oxycheq have them, along with Dive Rite. You get the benefits of a backplate with the adjustability of the apeks harness.
.

The Oxycheq "adjustable harness" kicks butt and I have sold 2 in the past week..... Heck I might give up the "hog harness" and get one myself.

Ron

 

[PerroneFord]

The Oxycheq "adjustable harness" kicks butt and I have sold 2 in the past week..... Heck I might give up the "hog harness" and get one myself.

Ron

Just an honest question because I see this come up a lot. I understand that these "adjstable harnesses" could be a godsend for a dive shop trying to move to BP/W for class purposes.

But for personal use, why do people like them? I use a hog harness, and after initial adjustments, I really don't WANT my adjustments moving. So what advantage does the adjustable harness bring that people are willing to pay so much more money for.

Again, I am just really curious.

Thanks.

 

[ae3753]

I was wondering if you have tried the wing without the STA?

Nope, I always use an STA. But that's a good point, the slots definitely don't line up, so STA-less wouldn't be an option anyway.

 

[st1650]

So what advantage does the adjustable harness bring that people are willing to pay so much more money for.

Again, I am just really curious.

Thanks.

Well for a newbie diving with other newbies it helps that you can remove your DSS Pro-fit harness in less than 5 seconds in case of emergency. It's only a 50$ difference, not a lot when you look at the whole package.

 

[PerroneFord]

Well for a newbie diving with other newbies it helps that you can remove your DSS Pro-fit harness in less than 5 seconds in case of emergency. It's only a 50$ difference, not a lot when you look at the whole package.

Again, not to sound like I am trolling, but I am trying to imagine a scenario where I would need to take my gear off in "5 seconds". I really can't think of one. Underwater, that is my life support system, and I really don't want it going anywhere. On the surface, I just can't fathom the extra 5 seconds saved being worth $50. Especially considering the possible loss of adjustment, or potential failure of a buckle or something when carrying heavy tanks.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[BSea]

Just an honest question because I see this come up a lot. I understand that these "adjstable harnesses" could be a godsend for a dive shop trying to move to BP/W for class purposes.

But for personal use, why do people like them? I use a hog harness, and after initial adjustments, I really don't WANT my adjustments moving. So what advantage does the adjustable harness bring that people are willing to pay so much more money for.

Again, I am just really curious.

Thanks.

I dive with differant exposure suits, so the adjustable is easier, plus I like the fact I can get in & out easier. I'm 50, so comfort & ease are factors.

You mentioned buckle failure. While this might be a point for doubles, I never have seen or heard of a buckle fail when someone was using singles. I don't intend to dive doubles, so the buckle failure isn't an issue with me.

 

[PerroneFord]

You mentioned buckle failure. While this might be a point for doubles, I never have seen or heard of a buckle fail when someone was using singles. I don't intend to dive doubles, so the buckle failure isn't an issue with me.

I was going to mention that I really do understand why an older diver might want the comfort harness as it might make it somewhat easier to get out of. Also hear you on the exposure suit. I'm not diving dry yet, so I'll have to see, but I don't make any adjustments between diving with my rash-guard/underarmour, and my 5mm wetsuit. I'll probably have to open it up a bit more for my drysuit when I get that.

Though I do know people who simply don't change it at all.

As for buckle failure, I read a story a month or two ago about a buckle failing on a single tank dive and causing no end of trouble for the diver. Not sure if I read that here on SB or not.

 

[Ron Brandt]

Just an honest question because I see this come up a lot. I understand that these "adjstable harnesses" could be a godsend for a dive shop trying to move to BP/W for class purposes.

But for personal use, why do people like them? I use a hog harness, and after initial adjustments, I really don't WANT my adjustments moving. So what advantage does the adjustable harness bring that people are willing to pay so much more money for.

Again, I am just really curious.

Thanks.

They look "cool" and feel very comfortable. They are easy to adjust especially for a family that only has a couple sets of gear and the others can share. I also recommend the purchase of a Hog harness as well, given the affordable price.

The adjustments don't seem to move. The only thing I don't like is that you almost have to use the chest strap.

I will be switching over to the adjustable harness for student/rental use to see how they work. I will be watching this weekend how well one of these harnesses work for myself.

Ron

 

[JimmyP]

Hi, I'm new to SB and a fairly new diver as well. I will soon be leaving for a three month divemaster training program and need to purchase some equipment. I am working with an aqualung dealer and have been strongly considering the WTX Harness system w/32# cell for my BC. It seems like a high quality option that lies between a BP/W setup and a traditional BC, like a Diverite Transpac I'd imagine. Since I'm probably going to be buying apeks regs (xtx200) and a suunto comp (vytec), I am trying to keep in the same company of products for ease of servicing.

There are few posts on this product as it is fairly new, and I am looking to get some experiences or impressions.

I will be diving in warm water for the internship, and will be traveling quite a bit, but I will probably return to California afterward which is temperate to cold water diving. Any suggestions regarding my equipment - my other options are the Black Diamond or the Balance I suppose. It seems like the B Diamond might be a bit bulky, and the Balance might not provide enough room for growth.

Thanks

Hello!
I am no expert! but I just purchased an Apeks BP/W system and I can say I am very happy with it. It is my first BP/W and I did look at what other companies had to offer. I ended up the Apeks BP with the WTX3 BC and I have the Webbed Harness not the WTX Harness. I have dived with it now a couple of times, and I am happy with it. I also like the Surelock Weight System but this is just my opinion!!
James

 

[padudle]

hello

The last time I was in Cozumel I dived with some guys that used a Jet Harness and backplate. It looked like the ideal setup for people who travel and dive single tanks. A stainless steel backplate is a lot of weight to haul around airports and into taxis. Also the x-ray machine cannot see through that metal so your bag will always get unpacked and searched by the Transportation Security Agency. My wife and I like to load all our scuba gear into one bag but we are already a little over the new 50 pound bag limit.

The Jet system is designed from the start for single tank diving. It is a flat backplate so you don't end up with all the offset you get with a regular backplate made for doubles with a single tank adapter. We were diving low pressure steel 120's on that trip and those guys looked very comfortable in their Jet harnesses and backplates.

Jet also sells the backplate in ABS plastic which is much lighter and does not block x-rays.

A lot of people (like me) have bought heavy equipment that is not too practical for travel diving. See this web page for another alternative.

http://www.jetharness.com/index.cfm?page_id=18