Back Plate Conversion

[mxracer19]

Im converted!

I used the jacket styles in my ow class awhile back, but iv been meaning to try a back inflation. so I went down to my LDS the other day to test out the oceanic chute III in their pool(convenient i know!), and my salesman said "hey why dont you try out this transplate!" So I gave it a shot. I must admit, the thought of wearing a piece of steel with straps, and those wingnuts in the back didnt appeal to me at all before hand. I was truely amazed. Is a Diverite Transplate with pockets for $600 a decent deal?

thanks
-Matt

 

[triton94949]

My aluminum backplate cost me about $50 bucks. Then 15 ft of webbing cost about $25. The metal buckle was $5 and the 6 sets of D-rings were about $30. The wing cost about $250. That comes to about $375 total with tax.

When you buy the retail products, such as DiveRite, OMS, Halcyon, etc. you pay a lot more. In your case, almost double.

 

[jonnythan]

Well, it's roughly retail.. but IMO it would be pretty crappy of you to try stuff out in a store, take a salesman's advice.. then leave and buy it somewhere else for a little cheaper.

 

[mxracer19]

Oh most def. Im buying from this store, the guys there rock. they said it lists for 739, they sell it for 639, I mentioned the internet and they said they could do a little better than what they had marked. So Im guessing around 600, but im wondering if i shouldnt see if they'll take any more off...either way though im buying most of my gear from them, so whats 75 bucks over a thousand and a half?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Im converted!

I used the jacket styles in my ow class awhile back, but iv been meaning to try a back inflation. so I went down to my LDS the other day to test out the oceanic chute III in their pool(convenient i know!), and my salesman said "hey why dont you try out this transplate!" So I gave it a shot. I must admit, the thought of wearing a piece of steel with straps, and those wingnuts in the back didnt appeal to me at all before hand. I was truely amazed. Is a Diverite Transplate with pockets for $600 a decent deal?

thanks
-Matt

Well, it depends ... I'm assuming it's the stainless steel plate and not the aluminum plate ... and which wing you're buying with the system. Is it the Venture, Trek, or Rec wing? If stainless plate and Trek or Rec wing, it's not a great deal, but it's not a bad one either ... about what you'd expect to pay at your local retailer.

With a Venture wing or AL plate, it's a bit on the high side.

Nice rig though ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[mxracer19]

Its The transPlate harness with rec wing, SS plate and pockets

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Its The transPlate harness with rec wing, SS plate and pockets

The exact rig I started out with ... I'd recommend it at that price.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[ae3753]

Actually, $600 is a decent deal. If you go to price that kit at Dive Rite Express, it comes to $735.

That said, Northeast Scuba Supply has been selling the exact rig for $450. That's a killer deal.

But I agree with Jonnythan, if you tried the gear on the salesperson's advice, and used their pool, then you should buy from the LDS. Otherwise, you wouldn't have bought it in the first place. Seems like you're heading this route anyways, but I still had to jump in.

 

[kidspot]

Is this for single or double tank diving? - You might also try the standard harness if they offer it (just to see if you like it as much, since it will be about $100 less) and if you're diving singles only, the venture may be another good option. I'm debating picking up a second Venture wing or a Rec wing to make a "loner" rig for friends, the rec wing would be nice if I ever decided to go doubles, but I'm not sure I want a dual purpose wing. Just some questions I'm asking myself at the moment . . .

Tim

P.S. I currently use a DiveRite Venture wing with SS plate and single piece harness - I too was surprised how comfortable a steel plate with bolts sticking through to your back actually could be.

 

[SangP]

Hi,

I'm not sure what's going on with Northeast Scuba Supply, my mails to them remain unanswered and I sent them 2 emails more than 2 weeks ago. I was initially interested in their special setup for $329.99 but the make of the plate/harness/wing is unknown and my mails for the make of the gear remain unanswered.


NWGratefulDiver is right on that it's only an ok deal and not great but mxracer19 if you wanna save a bit, ask them if they carry other brands like Hammerhead or Oxycheq. You could get a Hammerhead AL plate and harness for about $127 including shipping and a Oxycheq signature 30 wing/plate pad for about $320 or so, all in all you save about $450.

You could still work out a deal with them like regs later but if they are willing to sell you the wing and back pad you could buy some stuff from them and save a bit with the plate.

Cheers,

SangP