Back-inflate BC vs. Back plate

[Faber Dude]

I currently dive a SeaQuest Malibu. It is a very lightweight back-inflate "travel" BC. I am looking to upgrade, but am torn between getting either another back-inflate BC or going with a stainless steel back plate set up.

I see so many experienced divers downing a good chunk of change on back plate set ups instead of BCs, so it makes me curious: Which is better??

As far as I can tell, back-inflate BCs and back plates run on the same concept in the way they function. People tell me that the back plates are more comfortable because they allow more freedom to move. However, there are those who argue that the thick shoulder straps of a BC make IT more comfortable.

To all responders: What is your take on it? Which do you dive with (or prefer to dive with)? And why?

 

[DA Aquamaster]

A back plate is more adjustable and the harness comes in three flavors:

1. 1 piece webbing (simple, very strong, cheap to replace and fits most people well)
2. "deluxe" or pivot ring harness (usually has a quick release and a chest strap - nice for people with limited shoulder movement or for divers who may use a dry suit one day and dive in a t-shirt the next as the chest strap can be used to take up extra slack in the shouklder straps.)
3. Transplate style harness with padded shoulder straps. (Very BC like in terms of comfort and adjustment, but the D-rings are almost always either too numerous or in the wrong place(s) and it has more things to slip or fail).

and you can easily add slip on neoprene pads to 1 & 2.

The added bonus is that the back plate is extremely modular and you will never outgrow it even if your diving changes greatly.

If you travel a lot, stainless steel may not be the best choice as the average SS plate weighs 6 lbs while an aluminum plate weighs 1.5 to 2 lbs.

 

[Puffer Fish]

I own two back inflate BC's and two BP/W's

One of the BP/W has a stainless steel Plate, the other aluminum.

The back inflates are a Hollis and a Mares.

All have the same number of D rings, in the same locations (6).

One BP/W has a deluxe harness, one a transplate style.

I travel mostly with the BC, if I don't know the tanks I am going to use, and the al BP/W otherwise.

Never seen/heard of any failure point issues with any of them. All can take doubles...all are more rugged than any other gear I own.

The differences while diving are small... ok the BC's have pockets.. which only sometimes is valuable, as my suits all have leg pockets.

Where I see a big difference is on the surface...if you change suits/tanks a lot, it is far more difficult to get yourself upright when on the surface. You tend to be pushed back or forward, unless you get the weighting just right.

Two weeks ago, I went from a Faber 117, with a seven mil suit, to a high pressure worthington 67 in a 5 mil.. and went from upright to a face plant with Aluminum wing. With my BC's one hardly notices the difference.

If I am diving the same gear all the time, I would choose the Stainless steel BP/W...

 

[rstofer]

It's the wing that is really expensive. Harnesses are cheap and plates aren't always expensive.

For cold water diving, a stainless steel plate makes sense. Move 6# (or more) off of your harness and distribute it over your back. This is what I am using in northern Calif.

For warmer water diving, perhaps an aluminum or kydex plates makes sense. But if I were diving in south east Asia again where I only needed 6# with an Al 80 and dove in a Lycra suit, I might use the Oxycheq Ultra Light Travel Backplate. It weights about 9.6 oz and uses almost any harness and wing. I might let my grandson use one in the pool this summer just to transition him from a back-inflat BC to a BP/W.

You will find a heavy bias toward BP/Ws here on ScubaBoard. It might be worthwhile to just wander down to the beach and see what people are using.

I like my BP/W, obviously...

Richard

 

[Matt S.]

I started with a Big Name Brand back-inflate BC. I was curious about a backplate system, so I borrowed one to try, and after one dive the old BC was up for sale on craigslist. I just found the BP/W much more comfortable. YMMV.

 

[RonFrank]

There is only two questions to ask. Do you plan on diving doubles? Do you dive cold water and thick wetsuits/drysuits. If the answer to either of these questions is no, than purchase a Back Inflate BCD. If the answer is yes, then purchase a BP/W but only if you get a heavy steel BP and STA. The reason I suggest this is because a heavy BP/STA will help distribute a lot of weight. For doubles, IMO there is no other choice than a BP.

While there is an entire contingent of divers on SB that swear by the BP/W, if they are diving singles in warm water environments, they are.... well somewhat brainwashed! BP/W's are nice, but they offer nothing over many Back Inflate BC's based on the fact I own both setups.

 

[diver 85]

I'm diving my BP/W for the 1st time tomorrow, will let you know then..Currently I'm in love with my Zeagle, but marriages do sometimes breakup.......

 

[RonFrank]

I started with a Big Name Brand back-inflate BC. I was curious about a backplate system, so I borrowed one to try, and after one dive the old BC was up for sale on craigslist. I just found the BP/W much more comfortable. YMMV.

Well BP/W's are certainly NOT more comfortable than most other BC's on the market. They require a weight belt, which often is most uncomfortable if you have a BP/W sitting on top of it. And they have a rigid plate which is NOT more comfortable. This is topside, UW these things go away, or should.

You dive in an area where a BP/W may make some sense. Why did you choose it? It simply can NOT be for comfort unless you owned a very strange style of BC.

 

[RonFrank]

I currently dive a SeaQuest Malibu. It is a very lightweight back-inflate "travel" BC. I am looking to upgrade,

Why? Most divers I know that want to upgrade, have no reason to do so other than the *COOL* factor. Why do you need to upgrade? Not that I have any issue with you doing so! Just make sure it is an *upgrade*.

The BEST reason to buy a BP/W is if you plan to dive doubles, or go tech... do you?

 

[Matt S.]

Well BP/W's are certainly NOT more comfortable than most other BC's on the market. They require a weight belt, which often is most uncomfortable if you have a BP/W sitting on top of it. And they have a rigid plate which is NOT more comfortable. This is topside, UW these things go away, or should.

You dive in an area where a BP/W may make some sense. Why did you choose it? It simply can NOT be for comfort unless you owned a very strange style of BC.

My BC was a Zeagle Ranger. I had to stuff about thirty pounds of lead into the pockets, which made it ungainly. I also didn't like the cummerbund and chest strap.

In a BP, I use a DUI weight harness which is a lot more comfortable than either the stuffed-full BC or a weight belt. I also prefer the way the BP harness is very minimalist, with nothing enclosing me. The Ranger made me feel like I was wearing a fat suit.

I am mystified by the claim that a BP is uncomfortable topside. I wore mine on two tropical vacations, over a 3 mm wetsuit, and it was perfectly comfortable. The plate isn't digging in to me or anything like that... it seemed to be about as comfortable as wearing a tank could be.

In the end, based on my experience with both types of BCD, the backplate system wins on comfort and ease of use. A DIR diver did not kidnap and brainwash me. I just tried both and liked the backplate better.

My girlfriend, who just got certified, had the chance to try both kinds of system in the warm training pool. She also preferred the backplate system, so it isn't just me.

If I am brainwashed, at least I am happy.

YMMV.