Backplate systems: Advantages & disadvantages?

[lenscraft]

So can anyone explain what backplate systems are all about to a relative newbie? What advantages and/or disadvantages to they offer? Why would someone consider using one?

 

[cool_hardware52]

So can anyone explain what backplate systems are all about to a relative newbie? What advantages and/or disadvantages to they offer? Why would someone consider using one?

I design, build and sell BP&W's so my biases are well known.

Having said that here are the main "bullet points"

Pros:

Modular design permits easy reconfiguring for different needs. The very same harness and plate can be used for single tank recreational dives, and with a different wing it can be used for doubles. No need to purchase a new BC every time your diving changes or advances.

Easily accomodates more gear if the dives demand it. A BP&W carries a canister light, stage bottles and scooter if that's in your future.

The design is very "clean", no clutter on your chest. Streamlined, low drag, easy swimming profile.

All back inflate, no tight jacket feeling.

No inherent positive buoyancy, many jacket BC's are buoyant by 3-5 lbs. This means you need more weight just to sink your jacket BC

The backplate adds weight up over your buoyant lungs. This helps the diver achieve horizontal trim. In many jackets your torso is wrapped with an inherently buoyant BC and your ballast is on your waist. This results in a heads up attitude. A BP&W puts some weight over your lungs and off your waist.

Good long term value. Hard to wear out a BackPlate, the harness webbing can be replaced for $10-15. Often cheaper than a "full featured" name brand BC.

Regards,



Tobin

 

[Divin'Papaw]

What sold me was the adaptability (can us different size wings for different conditions), flexibility (the harness is infinitely adjustable), ideal buoyancy and trim control (it's almost like the tank isn't even there because it is motionless on your back) ... and most importantly ... the cost! All the benefits, and they are more economical compared to the top-end jacket BCDs.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Oh ... and I own one of Tobin's rigs. Outstanding!

 

[H2Andy]

to summarize what others have already said:

--easy to adjust to your own needs (basically, they're custom fit)

--much easier to maintain horizontal trim

--much less material = less weight needed to sink it. with a steel plate,
you can even use the steel as weight and drop weight off your belt

--lots less cluttered and bulky than bc's

 

[jagfish]

So can anyone explain what backplate systems are all about to a relative newbie? What advantages and/or disadvantages to they offer? Why would someone consider using one?

Hi and welcome to the board...
Aside from the many posts you are likely to get on this topic here, there has been much written on the subject in the past. If your thread starts to slow down, or you just decide to read up more on the history of this subject on the board, have a go at the search function found up in the control panel. A search for "Backplate and Wing" will yield a wealth of results that will keep you busy for hours.

 

[wunat]

All the advantages said, you might not really FEEL them until you actually use one. I dive both jacket (for assisting in pool and some openwater certification dives) and BP+Wing. I would ALWAYS prefer to dive in my BP+Wing. Can't say that BP+Wing is the way to go for EVERYONE.

Go out and try them for yourself (rent or borrow them). You will then have a better idea if the setup is for you as it is for many of us here..................

Enjoy!!!

 

[dandruff]

hi this is my first post. was suprised to find how much people prefer backplates over here. i came here originally looking for info on the mares hub lol! but after much reading im convinced. i do have some questions though:

- is it difficult to dump air? ive read that the air can move about and get trapped, and it gets difficult to dump some times. can someone explain how people dump air from bp/ws?

- trapped air putting you 'off balance', is this a problem?

- do bp/w have pull dump corrugated hoses? or do you have to lift up the hose manually?

- how comfortable are bpws on the surface? dont they be inclined to pitch your face into the water?

- banded bc's (oms), what are the advantages and disadvantages?


many thanks

 

[RJP]

I design, build and sell BP&W's so my biases are well known.

Having said that here are the main "bullet points"

Pros:

Tobin,

I note that "your biases" have led you to leave out any of the CONS of a BP/W setup!



Just busting yer chops - but seriously, I'd love to hear some of the CONS from the perspective of someone who's all about designing ways to overcome them.

Not trolling here, in fact I just bought a BP/W setup myself.

Thanks - Ray

 

[cool_hardware52]

hi this is my first post. was suprised to find how much people prefer backplates over here. i came here originally looking for info on the mares hub lol! but after much reading im convinced. i do have some questions though:

- is it difficult to dump air? ive read that the air can move about and get trapped, and it gets difficult to dump some times. can someone explain how people dump air from bp/ws?

If you have a wing that's well matched to the tank(s) and is correct lift (volume) for the conditions venting is easy. You can dump using either the corrigated hose, or by pulling the string on the rear OPV.

- trapped air putting you 'off balance', is this a problem?

No, it can be advantage if you have more weight on one side. It's easily controlled by the diver.

- do bp/w have pull dump corrugated hoses? or do you have to lift up the hose manually?

You can certainly purchase wings with a cable actuated "Quick Exhaust" or pull dump, but many prefer not to equip their wings with pull dumps. A plain elbow is used instead.

- how comfortable are bpws on the surface? dont they be inclined to pitch your face into the water?

If you are properly weighted, and using a crotch strap, all you need is a puff of air in your wing to be comfortable at the surface. This air is behind your head and neck. You won't be forced face first. If you are over weighted and or not using a crotch strap you may find you need to fully inflate the wing. This can be uncomfortable.

- banded bc's (oms), what are the advantages and disadvantages?

I know of no advantages of a bungeed wing.

Regards,


Tobin