Backplate and wing for a new diver?

[hilljo88]

I dive a BP/W and feel more streamlined in the water. That being said, I have done a lot of pool and OW training in a BCD as well as an occasional vacation rental. Most divers would find either one more than adequate. The best choice is always to rent or borrow one if you can.

 

[Todd_1]

I am going to be a recreational diver primarily doing beach diving in Southern California. I already have my soft stuff, I will be buying my computer on 1/4 ( Shearwater Peregrine) and the regulator I will be getting is a mk11/c370 the only thing I don’t have locked down is the BCD. And I see a lot of people using the Dive Rite Transplant XT. But now I am looking at the DGX.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I am going to be a recreational diver primarily doing beach diving in Southern California. I already have my soft stuff, I will be buying my computer on 1/4 ( Shearwater Peregrine) and the regulator I will be getting is a mk11/c370 the only thing I don’t have locked down is the BCD. And I see a lot of people using the Dive Rite Transplant XT. But now I am looking at the DGX.

Do you shop at Pacific Wilderness in San Pedro?

 

[Todd_1]

Yes I do, Pacific Wilderness seems to have the best prices in LA and the people who work there are really helpful.

 

[grantmac]

I wouldn't spend my own money on anything except a BP/W for backmount.

 

[KenE]

First, to answer your question, yes any BC will work for a beginner. But it may or may not be what you want.

The best advice I can provide you is to rent first and make sure you know what you want. Don't take the recommendation from the internet without testing it in the water first. Renting allows you to try before you buy, so buy once and cry once. ONLY you can determine what is right for you! So, I suggest you find a LDS that rents BP/W and try it first, then decide what you like or dislike about each type you try. Then make a decision. There are some very good opinions here on SB, some feel very strongly about their personal decisions. But only you can determine what you want and like, remember it is not a competition, but rather a hobby to enjoy, so be sure you will enjoy what you buy! If you enjoy it you will dive more, and that is the objective!

 

[ABLAB]

I'm also looking for my first BP/W. Based on budget looking at DGX and Hog. With aluminum plate, single tank adapter, and 30-32 wing looking at about 10lbs. Is that heavy or par for the course? Have the option of a "softplate" with HOG which will shave off about 3 pounds but wandering if that defeats the purpose.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I'm also looking for my first BP/W. Based on budget looking at DGX and Hog. With aluminum plate, single tank adapter, and 30-32 wing looking at about 10lbs. Is that heavy or par for the course? Have the option of a "softplate" with HOG which will shave off about 3 pounds but wandering if that defeats the purpose.

When you mention "defeats the purpose" I am thinking you understand there are at least two schools of thought on backplates for travel to typical warm-water destinations (where you will be wearing just a thin wetsuit without much buoyancy). There is, of course, the school of thought that says get as light a plate as possible to enable you to pack as much stuff into a checked bag as possible without an overweight surcharge. The downside is that you will have to carry more lead on the dive, and with a BP/W the lead is commonly either worn on a traditional weight belt or in small pockets attached to the cambands (though there are other options). The other school of thought is that a steel plate saves you from having to carry maybe four pounds of lead (the difference in weight between an aluminum and a steel plate being typically around four pounds). That appeals to me. When I travel to places where I don't need more than my well-worn 3 mm wetsuit and am using the common Al 80 tank, I bring my steel plate and need no more than a couple of pounds in the weight pockets on the cam bands.

 

[lowwall]

When I travel to places where I don't need more than my well-worn 3 mm wetsuit and am using the common Al 80 tank, I bring my steel plate and need no more than a couple of pounds in the weight pockets on the cam bands.

Same here. Except I put the weight pockets on my waist belt back next to the plate. It's technically ditchable because I can pull out the weight with my fingers.

 

[ABLAB]

Thinking more in terms of soft plate doesn't give you the benefits of a hard plate as in trim, stability, and comfort. I'm just starting to look into and learn about BP/W so very early in my learning curve. The exact set up is most likely a HOG aluminum plate, harness with steel hardware, steel buckle on the tank strap, quick release waist weight pockets, trim pockets, and single tank adapter. I do dive with 100AL when I know the dive is going be deeper so to extend my bottom time.

Trying to set up a versatile rig that I can use in cold water in NY and Northern CA (7 mm and 50 degree water), warm water travel, and hopefully liveaboards in deep blue.

But, I do take your point as to less lead when diving.