back plates/wings.... huh?

[TwoBitTxn]

All right yall... I'm finally gonna show my ignorance and ask..... what is a back plate.... what are wings....and whats so great about them.

I understand hard pack and soft pack. I dive with a soft pack and like it just fine. I also understand back inflate and jacket inflate. Mine will give ya a really good hug fully inflated.

I guess pictures would help

Thanks

Tom

 

[TexasMike]

Wings are the air bladder on the back inflation BC's, like on my Ranger BC.

 

[large_diver]

Tom,

Check this picture out -- Halcyon is a mfr. of backplate/wings and other gear generally embraced by the "DIR" crowd. you have only a harness in the front, giving you better mobility vs. jacket BC. inflation bladder (the "wings") are mounted between the backplate and the tank.

backplates are made out of different materials with different buoyancy characteristics -- stainless steel, AL, etc.

http://www.halcyon.net/mc/06mc.shtml

 

[TwoBitTxn]

Talk about a complete divergence from traditional BC's. No pockets, no frills. Just basically a metal plate with straps, an air bladder and a LP hose to fill it, and a bunch of attachment points on the shoulder and hip belts. I guess you have to wear a weight belt to make up for what isn't covered by the back plate.

Thanks

Tom

 

[TwoBitTxn]

What do these things run cost wise. If I was gonna equip with a Halcyon back plate, single tank wings, and the integrated weight system, what would I be looking at spending. I gotta admit the back plate doesn't look real comfy. I guess a wet suit could act as padding, but.... and isn't is a little on the heavy side out of the water.

Tom

 

[100days-a-year]

TV......here's the breakdown.B/P 6 lbs,Single Tank adapter 3lbs,single 18lb wing about 12oz.Weight needed with polartec or skin 0.Weight needed with 3.2mm 4-6lbs.cost was under $400 for everything including webbing ,d-rings,hardware and zip -ties,tubing etc.Within about 1 minute it can be configured for doubles.

 

[large_diver]

As I mentioned recently on another post on this board, I had the chance to try my current jacket BC with a backplate/wings/harness one after another in a pool. Backplate set-up was much more comfortable -- again due to mobility and the fact that the harness stays snug but not tight -- does not "move around" the way many other BCs do.

 

[mlloyd]

I am just in the process of switching from my old Mares Syncro BCD to the Backplate and wing configuration.

Did a lot of research and two dives with the gear before I decided on it. I really think that anyone who gives this type of equipment a try will be convinced of its benefits.

Its an excellent way to go.

 

[WetDane]

Tom,

I'm not a DIR nazi... Just thought I would get that out of the way -
But this is the greatest way you will ever dive - there are no little annoying things to mess you up and it is lighter out of the water since the 7# of the stainless plate comes off your weightbelt or out of your pouches - also realise that since you have less pockets and places to trap air - a lot of people loose another couple of lbs of lead...

Price wise:
http://www.h2oadventuregear.com/tek/packages.html

This is my LDS - they are good - if you need to call them and get more data.

Dane

 

[kwesler]

BTW-if you travel a lot and do not want to carry a 6lb SS plate, you can go with coated aluminium@ 1lb. I love my Halcyon BP and Pioneer wing, and I pretty much only dive rec.