Backplate Help - Unique Situation and Basic Help

[SkubAus]

HELLO EVERYONE!! THIS IS MY FIRST POST ON SCUBABOARD!!

This is a really long post, but you can skim it! PLEASE HELP!! ALL OPINIONS APPRECIATED! I've done quite a bit of research but I can't figure out what I should do!


So I've decided to move to a backplate. I currently have a Zeagle Ranger with integrated weight system, a 44lb wing (OVERKILL) and second air source. I am going to try and sell within the next few weeks on ebay, craigslist or possibly here. I figure I'll make $400+ so that is about my range for a backplate and wing set up. I am a small, short guy who is engulfed by this BC, so I am looking for something more my size and more minimalistic.

I am a poor college student looking for the cheapest and most effective option.

I recently discovered HammerHead Backplates and have read heaps of good reviews. Problem is, I don't know exactly what to get because of my unique situation. I go warm salt water diving with a 3mil full about twice a year, but I live in Austin, TX so I have the opportunity to do cold fresh water diving. Last time I dove cold/fresh water I wore 6.5mil overalls and 6.5mil top (13mil core) and dove with 16-18lbs. I can dive freshwater in my 3mil with 2lbs in the summer.

I will be moving back to Australia in about 7 months so I will be doing only warm salt water dives! I am a Marine Biology major so I'll most likely stick to reef diving and such for most of my life (it's what I love!!)

I'm debating if I should get the SS or AL bp with the 1pc heavy or 2pc light STA? So essentially there is a total of 4 different setups. I don't do deep water diving, wreck, or cave diving, and I will be sticking to warm water. What do you think a good option would be?

SS w/ STA = $110
AL w/ STA = $80

I'm not sure if I should go with the SS/light 2pc STA, AL/light 2pc STA, or AL/heavy 1pc STA

I don't think it comes with tank straps, so I might just take the 2 straps off my Zeagle because they are really nice straps.

From what I understand... there is no real safe or effective wing that can handle both
singles and doubles -- PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong because I'd love to kill 2 birds with one stone!!

Does anyone know of a very cheap single tank wing on the market -- I've searched and searched but am having troubling finding anything? Would you recommend a 20lb wing? 30lb wing? 40lb wing?

So, once I have the backplate, single tank adapter and wing, all I'll need is a harness?

What harnesses work well? I'm small so I assume I'll end up crossing the straps, but if not, which is a good cheap harness? Should I invest in a "deluxe" type harness, or a single 2 inch webbing and rig it myself... or maybe a really nice zeagle harness with shoulder pads ect..? Should I invest in a lumbar pad or back pad, or can I easily go without? I'm not sure what to think about the single webbing as you cannot adjust the shoulder tightness easily. I personally would like an adjustable and comfortable harness with crotch and chest strap.

Also, when dealing with weights, can anyone recommend cheap integrated weight pockets I can add to the harness or another cheaper alternative? Hopefully I will not even need weights if I select the right BP and STA!!

Finally, I will be losing my second air source on the zeagle so I'll either need to buy a new octo or another second air source (I can get mint cond. Aqualung Airsource 2 for around 180ish). I'm trying to keep costs down, and as I won't be using the octo and hopefully my buddy won't either, I may opt for a super cheap used octo.


OKAY... THAT WAS ALOT! There are ton of questions that I am assuming 90% of you are going to respond with "Personal Preference," but as I have no experience in the BP world I would really appreaciate any and all advice.


THE SIMPLIFIED QUESTION:
I'll have $400-$450 to get a total setup... is this going to be enough cash or will I need donate sperm for $200 ahha?

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

What kind of tank are you going to be diving? Steel or AL? Size? This can also factor into which BP to get as far as weighting is concerned...


PS....plasma pays better than sperm Looooong college story LOL

 

[SkubAus]

I AM OFFICIALLY CONFUSED... Too many things to take into consideration!!!

1. BP
2. STA
3. Tank
4. Harness + extra gear


Hahah... I've been donating for the past year and a half... $60 a week haha!

Anyway, the only peice of equipment I am missing is a tank... any advice on that too? I usually dive AL because that's my friends / dive shops have so.

My max range is around $450... but if I can keep it under that and spend the extra cash on other gear I'd love that too!

 

[nereas]

A Zeagle Ranger is like a backplate which is made out of fabric.

I suggest you keep it, for now.

This is a great back-inflation B/C, maybe the best there is.

No real need to get a backplate for recreational diving, as long as your Zeagle lasts. With heavy use it should last about 5 years. No B/C lasts longer than this. And even with a backplate, you would still need to replace the wing after a similar period.

You can even put a set of small doubles onto a Zeagle Ranger, with their optional longer tank bands.

It is only when you graduate to deep shipwreck/cave diving with larger twin tanks that you would absolutely need a backplate.

Backplates are not cheap anymore. Neither are detachable wings.

Scuba is not a cheap sport. It is more for people who have enough money to comfortable spend on it. If you are constantly pinching pennies in your scuba purchases, it is likely that your gear is sub-standard and unsafe. You always get what you pay for.

 

[fireflock]

Save your pennies and get a complete setup from www.deepseasupply.com

The final price will depend on exactly what you choose, but you can be in the $450 - 500 range without too much trying.

 

[SelkieDVM]

Second that, my complete DSS rig was only about $30 more than your budget (with shipping).

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Backplate:
A lot of people who migrate to BP/W setups end up with a SS bp for cold water (drysuit) diving and an AL bp for warm water diving. Many can still use a SS bp for warm water diving so long as they are diving aluminum tanks; steel tanks are usually too negative for pairing with a SS bp in warm water.

STA:
In my opinion, one-piece STAs are much easier to keep track of and mount to a tank than the two-piece STAs. If weight is an issue, there are some lightweight one-piece STAs out there.

Harness:
You'll probably find that a simple hog harness will work just fine. Even with only a 3mm wetsuit, I find that the straps on mine are comfy -- no shoulder cushions necessary. I've had good luck with the Dive Rite harness kit, but I'm sure there's very little difference among the major manufacturers. You could also piece together all of the components if you have the time/inclination. Don't forget about getting a crotch strap -- the harness kit I bought did not include one.

Full setup:
You'll probably end up spending between $400 and $500 for a BP/W setup (including wing, bp, harness, harness hardware, tank cambands/buckles). I would take a look at what Deep Sea Supply has to offer. Great gear at very reasonable package prices. The packages include everything you need including BP, wing, harness, harness hardware, crotch strap, tank cambands, and a dive knife. Tobin (the owner) is very helpful in getting the right size wing/bp after you give him info about how much weight you wear with a given exposure suit and tank (steel or aluminum).

Cheapest alternative:
Buy used gear from divers in your local community who are buying the "next best" thing.

Best of luck.

 

[chrispete]

With heavy use it should last about 5 years. No B/C lasts longer than this. And even with a backplate, you would still need to replace the wing after a similar period.

I've seen BC's that were well over 10 years old and had seen heavy use that were still in great shape. It's all about how you take care of the gear.

Scuba is not a cheap sport. It is more for people who have enough money to comfortable spend on it. If you are constantly pinching pennies in your scuba purchases, it is likely that your gear is sub-standard and unsafe. You always get what you pay for.

Gee, that's a bit of an elitist attitude. I think it's a bit of the other way around. I've seen plenty of people "who can afford it" who treat their gear horribly "because they can afford to replace it" while some divers that I've known who have had to save pennies for their purchases treat their gear like gold. I wonder which set of gear is going to have sub-standard maintenance and be unsafe?

To answer the OP's question, if you've decided that going to a BP/W setup is what you want then shop around. There are some who will tell you that you'll die immediately if you dare to put one brand wing on another brand's backplate with a third company's STA (single tank adapter.) You won't. I've dove a Dive Rite SS backplate with a Halcyon travel wing (old, old wing) with an Oxycheq STA and I'm still alive to tell the tale. Heck, I've even seen a guy dive a yellow harness on a black anodized BP who survived his dive.

Most of the major brands of BP/W gear are very high quality, some charge higher amounts than others for basically the same equipment.

 

[letterboy]

I've seen BC's that were well over 10 years old and had seen heavy use that were still in great shape. It's all about how you take care of the gear.



Gee, that's a bit of an elitist attitude. I think it's a bit of the other way around. I've seen plenty of people "who can afford it" who treat their gear horribly "because they can afford to replace it" while some divers that I've known who have had to save pennies for their purchases treat their gear like gold. I wonder which set of gear is going to have sub-standard maintenance and be unsafe?

To answer the OP's question, if you've decided that going to a BP/W setup is what you want then shop around. There are some who will tell you that you'll die immediately if you dare to put one brand wing on another brand's backplate with a third company's STA (single tank adapter.) You won't. I've dove a Dive Rite SS backplate with a Halcyon travel wing (old, old wing) with an Oxycheq STA and I'm still alive to tell the tale. Heck, I've even seen a guy dive a yellow harness on a black anodized BP who survived his dive.

Most of the major brands of BP/W gear are very high quality, some charge higher amounts than others for basically the same equipment.

First of all thanks for standing up for the broke cats

second, where can I meet the guy in bold?? He is like the Harry Potter of diving

 

[Missdirected]

If you are constantly pinching pennies in your scuba purchases, it is likely that your gear is sub-standard and unsafe. You always get what you pay for.

:huh: Lots of people pinch pennies by buying used, for instance. I once bought a used BP/W, are you stating I use sub-standard equipment? Cuz I will tell you that is far from the truth. Perhaps, this is one of those statement you may want to re-think?