Aussie Diver
Guest
I'm looking at buying a Dive Rite rec wings, and a harness. Was wanting to know whether it's necessary to get a back plate as well. For now i'll only be diving with singles, but in the future will move onto twins.
Back Plate?
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flounderboy
Guest
Yep you will
or get a trans pac
dive safe
Mark s
or get a trans pac
dive safe
Mark s
The backplate is what the harness is attached to, unless you get a transpac, but i would just stick with the backplate and harness. just my opinion.
Also if you are just going to be diving a single tank, i would not get the rec wings. Get a wing that is designed just for a single tank. Several companies make them.
I believe that it is best practice to have one wing for singles and a second wing just for doubles and do not belive that one wing will work for both set ups effectively.
Also if you are just going to be diving a single tank, i would not get the rec wings. Get a wing that is designed just for a single tank. Several companies make them.
I believe that it is best practice to have one wing for singles and a second wing just for doubles and do not belive that one wing will work for both set ups effectively.
flounderboy
Guest
unless you like looking like a taco
dive safe
Mark s
Scubaroo
Contributor
Aussie Diver,
If you're looking at doing twins - ask yourself where you will be diving them, what tanks you will be diving, and how much weight you will need with them - you could buy a SS backplate now, and find that you're overweighted if you strap on a pair of Faber 12Ls sometime down the road, especially as you're in temperate waters. I'll happily dive a SS backplate for singles anywhere in the world (from Melbourne to Monterey to Florida to Fiji - it's worked great in all of those places
). Many divers end up with AL and SS backplates at some point in time. I reckon you should look at a backplate now, so it's one less change to your rig when you're migrating, but remember that you may find you need a heavier/lighter plate depending on what tanks you end up with. There's no reason not to get a backplate now for single tanks - probably a SS plate unless you're travelling lots and run into luggage allowances.
If you're looking at doing twins - ask yourself where you will be diving them, what tanks you will be diving, and how much weight you will need with them - you could buy a SS backplate now, and find that you're overweighted if you strap on a pair of Faber 12Ls sometime down the road, especially as you're in temperate waters. I'll happily dive a SS backplate for singles anywhere in the world (from Melbourne to Monterey to Florida to Fiji - it's worked great in all of those places
). Many divers end up with AL and SS backplates at some point in time. I reckon you should look at a backplate now, so it's one less change to your rig when you're migrating, but remember that you may find you need a heavier/lighter plate depending on what tanks you end up with. There's no reason not to get a backplate now for single tanks - probably a SS plate unless you're travelling lots and run into luggage allowances.
SmokeAire
Contributor
For three years I dove with a jacket bc, liked it. About six months ago I bought a Transpac with a Trek wing, loved it. Two weeks ago I ordered a FredT SS back plate with the STA s. It arrived last week, threaded it up along with my Trek wing and did three cave dives. It was the best purchase I have made. After every dive with my bc and my Transpac my lower back was killing me (I dive singles, steel lp95s). Not so with the back plate. I barely knew it was on and not one peep from my back. It does take a bit of time to get it dialed in, still working on that, but that is part of the advantage of the bp/harness is that it will be essentially custom made by and for you.
Good question.
If only there was or I knew of ScubaBoard when I got certd, I would have save a bit of $$.
Remember there is no such thing as a stupid question and just keep learning. I know I am.
Chuck
Good question.
If only there was or I knew of ScubaBoard when I got certd, I would have save a bit of $$.
Remember there is no such thing as a stupid question and just keep learning. I know I am.
Chuck
SmokeAire
Contributor
Good point.Scubaroo:Aussie Diver,
If you're looking at doing twins - ask yourself where you will be diving them, what tanks you will be diving, and how much weight you will need with them - you could buy a SS backplate now, and find that you're overweighted if you strap on a pair of Faber 12Ls sometime down the road, especially as you're in temperate waters. I'll happily dive a SS backplate for singles anywhere in the world (from Melbourne to Monterey to Florida to Fiji - it's worked great in all of those places
I just got my SSbp (see my first post). I am now thinking about getting the Al plate for fresh water and using my ss for salt. Heading down to the Keys tomorrow so I'll see how heavy I am in the salts before I decide.
The BP is more comfortable, more stable and more versatile than the transpac, particularly with doubles.
The rec wing is a compriomise singles/doubles wing and like most compromises does neither job exceptionally well.
For singles, the bungee system helps but the wing still tacos around the tank and some underwater gymnastics are sometimes required to get all the air out.
Four doubles the rec wing works well but only with small 6.75" to 6.9" diameter tanks and even then some restriction of the wing occurs when it is fully inflated as the wing is too narrow. There is just not adequate space between the tanks and backplate to allow the wing to fully inflate with 7.25" diameter (AL 80 size) or larger tanks.
So I agree for single tanks you are much better off with a dedicated singles designed wing. For doubles, the classic wing is a much better choice as it is much wider and better suited to use with doubles.
The rec wing is a compriomise singles/doubles wing and like most compromises does neither job exceptionally well.
For singles, the bungee system helps but the wing still tacos around the tank and some underwater gymnastics are sometimes required to get all the air out.
Four doubles the rec wing works well but only with small 6.75" to 6.9" diameter tanks and even then some restriction of the wing occurs when it is fully inflated as the wing is too narrow. There is just not adequate space between the tanks and backplate to allow the wing to fully inflate with 7.25" diameter (AL 80 size) or larger tanks.
So I agree for single tanks you are much better off with a dedicated singles designed wing. For doubles, the classic wing is a much better choice as it is much wider and better suited to use with doubles.
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