Back Plate: Steel or Aluminum?

[Colliam7]

After you vote, if you would, please comment about your selection and what type of environmental protection you wear and the waters you dive with that kit.

In general:
1. SS
a. All single cylinder set-ups, salt or fresh - wetsuit
b. All single cylinder set-ups, salt or fresh - drysuit
c. All double cylinder set-ups, salt or fresh - drysuit
d. Double AL cylinder set-ups, salt - 5mm wetsuit

2. AL
a. Double steel cylinder set-ups, salt or fresh - wetsuit
b. Double AL cylinder set-ups, fresh - wetsuit

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I use steel for singles and aluminum for doubles.

 

[Xaryo]

Both but...

I started with the harness on a steel plate, but diving double steel HP 100, it was too heavy in the summer. So I bought an AL plate and put the harness on it, but kept the steel plate.

Now in winter, I simply sandwich the steel plate between the v-weight and the wing, to add weight (I have now a double AL). In summer, I can just not use the steel plate.

If I dive single, I will sandwich the wing between the stell plate and the AL plate(with harness) in order to add weight and reduce the "taco effect" of the wing (just have a wing for double, don't dive enough single tank to justify buying another wing).

Moreover, AL plate are better for plane travel because less heavy.

 

[Glenlivet]

SS with drysuit, AL with wetsuit (7mil or 3mil), all with singles, either 12l (232bar, weight 14kg) steel or 80cuft AL (on vacation)

 

[vladimir]

All my diving entails flying to somewhere in the tropics, where I don a 1-to-3 mm wetsuit. I use a steel plate. It's not that much heavier than my ScubaPro Classic, and I require no further ballast, which is a big part of the appeal of the backplate for me.

 

[LanceRiley]

I dive in the Philippines mainly...

I use aluminum plate with a Stainless STA.
Rashguard and Boardshorts only. I dislike the wetsuit. even the 0.5mm wetsuits.
I use jetfins 100% of the time.

I just use a 1 pound weight. I think i could do less than this... maybe half a pound.


Hence no need for the Steel Plate. which is 4 lbs heavier. making me 3 lbs overweight!

 

[Oldbear]

My first BP/W configuration came with an Al plate (Dive Rite TransPlate). I am now just exploring an Hogarthian configuration utilizing a steel plate (DSS). My hopes are to reduce the weight of lead around my waist (or what is suppose to be hips) by utilizing a steel plate. By having a both plates I have options to match diving parameters.

 

[ams511]

Very good input, y'all. I think this will help newer divers and those considering BP/W understand how and why plate choices are made and can match some of your comments to their diving environment.

Plate choices should really be based on how much weight the diver needs to stay neutral at a safety stop with a low tank. Also most training agencies recommend that divers have some ditch-able weight.

Based on recent posts I think many new divers are stressing over the BP/W decision when they really shouldn't. I hope this does not deter them from purchasing a BP/W because they feel it is too complicated.

 

[rhwestfall]

Missing a choice (Kydex/composite) - I still chose both in the poll....

SS BP with weight plates (16 pound rig) for dry suit diving w/ heavy insulationin cold water (40's) and steel 120 single tank, Kydex for wet suit temps w/ small steel and my aluminums.

Now, if there was a commercially available "tall" aluminum plate......

 

[James R]

I have a few answers, depending on conditions and such. I have a few rigs including a SS plate (halcyon infinity) and a couple AL (oms & scubapro).

• Travel warm water: SS - no weight needed w/AL80
• Local warm water: AL - use faber steel tanks, lp85 or hp100
• Local & travel cold water w/drysuit: SS
• Tec any temp: AL
• SM: none, I use a Hollis SMS100
• Teaching: AL (with weight pockets for demo etc)