Backplate & Single Tank Adapter

[SkiDiver]

Thanks, splitlip. I had seen that. Very helpful. From that post, though, it seems like the DSS non-STA has the advantage, in that you can attach the cam straps lower (and avoid hitting your head on the first stage). Other than the fact that some like the weight of a STA and others may trust metal more than rubber, I'm trying to imagine the advantage of the STA design.

 

[FishDiver]

Other than the fact that some like the weight of a STA and others may trust metal more than rubber, I'm trying to imagine the advantage of the STA design.

Ditto.

 

[Splitlip]

Thanks, splitlip. I had seen that. Very helpful. From that post, though, it seems like the DSS non-STA has the advantage, in that you can attach the cam straps lower (and avoid hitting your head on the first stage). Other than the fact that some like the weight of a STA and others may trust metal more than rubber, I'm trying to imagine the advantage of the STA design.

Maybe somene else can answer this, but the DSS wobble stopper may not be compatible with all plates out there. I know that the STA will attach to any plate with 11" hole spacing, inluding the DSS plate. That particular STA would be slick if it had multiple slots. Would add a few ounces of weight though.
Good luck however you go.

 

[SkiDiver]

Maybe somene else can answer this, but the DSS wobble stopper may not be compatible with all plates out there. I know that the STA will attach to any plate with 11" hole spacing, inluding the DSS plate. That particular STA would be slick if it had multiple slots. Would add a few ounces of weight though.
Good luck however you go.

That could be, but I'd be looking at the full DSS setup so I wouldn't be too worried about the compatibility issue.

But in any event, I think the wobble stopper is attached to the DSS wing, not the plate. The cam straps feed through the plate.

I really like the look of the DSS backplate setup, but the Oxycheq Mach V is a really sweet looking wing.

 

[cool_hardware52]

Maybe somene else can answer this, but the DSS wobble stopper may not be compatible with all plates out there. I know that the STA will attach to any plate with 11" hole spacing, inluding the DSS plate. That particular STA would be slick if it had multiple slots. Would add a few ounces of weight though.
Good luck however you go.

Your are correct. The wobble stopper is designed to work with DSS plates. I've had a few reports of success with other plates, but I cannot guarantee all other plates are completely compatible.

All other plates I know of have a deeper center channel, and some also have a wider center channel. The wobble stopper can be removed with a "seam ripper" without damage to the wing.

The really key thing in our system is not the wobble stopper, but the absense of metal grommets and or bolts through the wing and backplate. These metal grommets and bolts are the source of tank rock, eliminate the grommets and the tank has a flat surface to mate up to.


Tobin

 

[*Floater*]

Thanks, splitlip. I had seen that. Very helpful. From that post, though, it seems like the DSS non-STA has the advantage, in that you can attach the cam straps lower (and avoid hitting your head on the first stage). Other than the fact that some like the weight of a STA and others may trust metal more than rubber, I'm trying to imagine the advantage of the STA design.

I was the one who posted those pics. I bought a DSS single rig with their LCD 30 wing and my girlfriend later bought the same plate, but she went with the Oxycheq Razor 30 wing because she wanted a donut and DSS only made horseshoe single wings at the time (they have since then introduced the torus 26 and 35 donut wings). She needed the STA to combine the wing with the plate.

If you are just diving singles then both solutions work to keep the tank perfectly stable and it just becomes a question of personal preference. What you see in the pics is pretty much what you get. In terms of profile the Oxycheq STA and DSS wobble-stopper are about the same. The DSS system may be marginally lower after you add the bolts and straps to the Oxycheq STA. The cam strap slots are also better placed on the DSS plate for our preference, but most people don't have a problem with the STA slots either.

I'll list some really marginal issues for you with each design, but these are super small issues that don't really matter to the vast majority of people so please take them as such:

The DSS solution maybe be cheaper since you don't need to pay for a separate STA (though DIY STA's can be cheap too), it weighs less, it requires fewer parts to keep track of, and if you lose a rubber stud you can still dive the rig whereas loosing a wingnut (or equivalent) may be more of an issue (this happened to me once but it was my fault and the DM found the wingnut). Also attaching and detaching the DSS wing from the plate is super quick with the studs (you can just plug it on and rip it off) whereas with the STA you need to screw/unscrew the nuts first (which is not a big deal either).

However, the rubber studs don't keep the wing firmly in place when there's no tank on top, so when transporting the rig or handling it on the boat the wing tends to come off and hang there loosely from the cam straps. This is not a big deal, you just need to put it back in place again each time you strap on the tank (but plugging it on was super quick remember). Also the steel STA is obviously tougher, though I have not heard any reports of DSS studs or wobble-stoppers falling apart either.

If you also dive doubles then the STA does have the following additional advantages: It can be used to rig independent doubles (yuo need an extra set of cam straps and keepers too) and it makes switching between singles and doubles easier because you don't need to undo the cam straps.

That's my 2 cents. Others may add other pros or cons.

 

[TSandM]

I've used both Tobin's older and his newer iteration of the STA-less wing setup. Both work well, although I think the new one is even better than the old.

There is a problem with universal compatibility, though -- the windows in Tobin's new wings are too narrow for the camband slot spacing in my Oxycheq plate. The DSS wing I have is older and has a wider window, and works fine, but the Torus wing didn't

I found myself contemplating going to the use of an STA, to make switching from singles to doubles easier, but you know what? Once you've put the money into double tanks, bands, manifold, two regulators and a doubles wing, the cost of another backplate starts looking pretty minimal. And I had to go to an aluminum plate to trim out, anyway.

 

[JKSteger]

I used to dive with an STA all the time until recently.
I dive with HP119's and LP95's and my head was always hitting my regulators because with the STA there was no way to move my tank down any further due to the location of the CAM bands. The slots on the backplate have the CAM bands much closer together and allow me to move my tank down a bit. I use the diverite screws to hold my wing in place and I've never had a problem with my tank stability!

Jeremy

 

[FishDiver]

I bought a set of old steel 72s and have been able to drop even more lead. I own a Stiletto and dive with a 5mm suit and a 7mm hood. I use 10 lbs of lead with the steel tanks.

I see most cold water divers advised to buy SS plates. It seems that I use little enough weight now that I would be better off with an aluminum plate. Assuming 2 lbs neg for the plate and 1 or 2 for positive BC padding, this takes my ditchable weight down to 6-7 lbs. A SS plate would give me only 2-3 lbs which seems a bit unsafe.