Backplate comfort

[Eric Sedletzky]

So the harness design coming out of the center of the plate is a design completely independent of the fact there is no edge of the plate, uh ok. I just don't see a problem with the harness coming out of the edges of a normal backplate, many other harness activities like skydiving have the harness coming over the shoulders in the exact same way, and guys can haul around double 130's with them.

I've been using DSS's Kydex plate which gives a little and is very comfortable, even when I forget my rashguard.........but it's definitely better to wear one simply so the webbing doesn't cut in. Also the DSS plates are a lot flatter than some designs, the Halcyon being the most curved that I've seen (due to the storage pak), but the flatter plate is ideal for singles since the tank is in the middle giving it a nice streamlined profile.

The original idea of the Freedom Plate was to narrow down the top portion of the plate and curve the profile to match the natural curve of the back. This was to allow the tank to fit down into the grove in between your shoulder blades for free arm movement and to get the tank as close as humanly possible to your back. The design of the single point shoulder strap slot was actually a by product because the top of the plate was too narrow to put two 2" slots side by side. It just turned out by a happy fluke that the comfort was incedible with this design. The plate wasn't originally designed around having a single point exit for the straps, it was the narrowness that was the original intent.

I can tell you love your DSS stuff and I think that's great. They make some great stuff and everybody raves about it. I hear Tobin's a real nice guy too.

 

[Ragnar]

Thanks, I figured that, but what works works, I'd love to try one just to compare, interesting idea. Is roll more of a problem since the plate is so narrow?......probably the wider base is enough to stop that. Are there any other differences from a normal plate like the ability to use a STA or not etc?

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Thanks, I figured that, but what works works, I'd love to try one just to compare, interesting idea. Is roll more of a problem since the plate is so narrow?......probably the wider base is enough to stop that. Are there any other differences from a normal plate like the ability to use a STA or not etc?

No there's no STA required and not really a way to put one on.
It's designed to be dirt simple. The wing has to have slots and the wing just goes between the tank and plate and it's all held together by pressure from the cam bands.
If someone want's to use a wing with no slots they're out of luck.

It's kind of like an old school backpack except it's modernized with places for two cam bands and spaced so they will accomodate any wing with built in slots and all the slots are for 2" webbing instead of the narrower cotton stuff from years ago.
It's also stainless instead of plastic.

 

[stargost]

I am thinking about getting an Al backplate and Oxycheq Mach V wing for travel and warm water diving. Is a metal backplate comfortable when diving with just a swim suit? I would like to keep it very basic. Just a few d rings are all I would like to add.

Even with a 7mm, I felt originally the BP set up a little uncomfortable. Mostly the plate was pressing my back at several places. With just swim suit - buh !
For some reasons, I didnt have the pb with doubles, it was only wetsuit and BP.
I got a freedom plate and it fixed it, while now I tend to dive the normal plate with the drysuit.

For warm water diving, I have been using the FP and multiple wings (oxy 30, and DSS lcd20), sometimes with a t-shirt. Same set up as mentioned previously with the youtube link.
I like this set up a lot, especially the small wing, and it is fine, while as everyone as mentioned, a small protection is always better for many reasons.

 

[Couv]

.... I'd love to try one just to compare...

Don't do it! If you try one, you'll end up having to buy one....ask me how I know.

 

[mahjong]

Are Freedom Plates available anywhere?

No there's no STA required and not really a way to put one on.
It's designed to be dirt simple. The wing has to have slots and the wing just goes between the tank and plate and it's all held together by pressure from the cam bands.
If someone want's to use a wing with no slots they're out of luck.

It's kind of like an old school backpack except it's modernized with places for two cam bands and spaced so they will accomodate any wing with built in slots and all the slots are for 2" webbing instead of the narrower cotton stuff from years ago.
It's also stainless instead of plastic.

 

[HenrikBP]

Is roll more of a problem since the plate is so narrow?......probably the wider base is enough to stop that.

Single tank on the Freedom plate is absolutely rock solid. I use an Oxycheq Mach V 30 lbs wing with the "Roll Bars" which help, but between the tank bands and the "tank cradling curve" at the bottom of the plate, the tank is on there solid either way. No movement at all.

The snug, form fitting shape of the plate secures the whole rig to you, again with no roll or sense of "looseness".

I didn't put keepers on the shoulder straps, so they will slide in the waist slots, which makes the plate very easy to get into and out of. I pul plastic keepers above the slots to limit how much I can tighten the waist strap. That way my shoulder straps are always exactly the length I want them. Granted I've only used this rig with an older 3 mil, so compression of the suit at depth is really no issue.

Don't do it! If you try one, you'll end up having to buy one....ask me how I know.

Couv knows what he's talking about

Henrik

 

[HenrikBP]

Are Freedom Plates available anywhere?

Directly from ZKY, a.k.a. Eric, himself. Send him a PM.

Henrik

 

[Ragnar]

Don't do it! If you try one, you'll end up having to buy one....ask me how I know.

Haa....that's fine, I'm pretty sure the buying will come before the trying anyway, I'm kinda in no man's land out here. I could use a second plate regardless. Thanks for all the info guys, I love trying stuff that's a bit different.

 

[danaero]

Is Eric's plate the same one that is for sale on Scuba Toys?