Backplate Systems

[The Chairman]

You are right! I ordered my FredT backplate extra heavy (Dry suit & single steel) and I use the extra light Kydex Deep Sea Supply for my doubles (with Dry suit).

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Zeagle makes some GREAT BCs, but they don't make a backplate and wings (I don't think). Try Tobin at Deep Sea Supply for the best quality, and then there are also FredT's plates which are also great. Halcyon are fine, but pricey and then there is Koplin, as well as some others. The board abounds on the differences between the plates.

BTW, are you diving wet or dry, steel or aluminum?

Unfortunately, I believe that FredT gear is no longer available.

 

[FSUDive]

Adding another couple of questions onto my thread
One is about the lift in the bladder. I weigh 160 and barely use 10 pounds of weight. What bladder lift should I use?. I'm thinking I can get by perfectly with a 35 pound bladder.

Also, I've looked at so many backplates that they all look the same. Are the basic configurations close enough so that I could use an Apeks backplate with a zeagle bladder and OMS weight pouches(just an example)?

 

[xiSkiGuy]

Adding another couple of questions onto my thread
One is about the lift in the bladder. I weigh 160 and barely use 10 pounds of weight. What bladder lift should I use?. I'm thinking I can get by perfectly with a 35 pound bladder.

As long as you are diving a single tank, a 35# bladder would be plenty.

Also, I've looked at so many backplates that they all look the same. Are the basic configurations close enough so that I could use an Apeks backplate with a zeagle bladder and OMS weight pouches(just an example)?

You can usually mix and match most pieces. This is especially true if you use a STA (single tank adaptor) as almost all wings and backplates have bolt holes on 11" spacing. The weight pockets vary somewhat, but I would urge you to look at using XS Scuba weight pouches or a weight belt instead. Most ditchable weight systems are bulky and kinda kill the streamlined effect of a BP/W setup.

 

[waynne fowler]

Your right... you can also use a weighted single tank adapter.. or for travel you can use an alum. BP... BP/W's are so versitile I have in fact retired my Zeagle's and other BC's. I use the same BP/W set-up for both single & double tanks... or rather did I ended up buying an Explorer set up for the doubles as changing back and forth got to be a bit of a drag, only takes like 5 min's but ... hell I'm lazy and what the hell else will I do with my money?

 

[Quaff King]

If you're looking for a backplate and wing and you're on a budget I would start here:
www.hammerheadscuba.com
Then I would check out the oxycheq wings or dive rite wings.
Unless you're diving drysuit I would go aluminum plate.
Tropical warm diving, sounds nice.
safe diving!

 

[FSUDive]

Good idea on handles for the hammerhead plate. I wonder if I can find any of handles or anything for carrying the whole system like the carry handle on my BC now.

Also hammerhead was the first place I've actually seen STA for sale. Do other companies make them and jsut not advertise them online?

Thanks for the help guys. I'm already slowly narrowing down my options.

 

[wunat]

Both Halcyon and Dive Rite Make great systems! I currenty use a Halcyon Pioneer 27 systems w/ ss backplate and love the thing!

I will second the complement on DiveRite system.

I am pretty sure you will enjoy the backplate and wing system with regards to your experience with back inflation. In case you are interested in DR setups, check out:

www.diveriteexpress.com

Ciao,

 

[WaterDawg]

Both Halcyon and Dive Rite Make great systems! I currenty use a Halcyon Pioneer 27 systems w/ ss backplate and love the thing!

And I will second the compliment on Halcyon! Glad you like is SD, youll have to tell me your impressions on it.

FSUDive, I weigh 230 now and use a 27lbs wing. w/ a ss bp and a 5/4 suit I wear no weight in wresh water.

Yes you can mix and match for the most part, but get the most bang for your buck when you bu a whole system.

p.s. If your ever around BWS swing by and introduce your self!


Chris.

 

[Maui Bound]

I use the Halcyon Eclipse with the SS backplate and tank adapter. Love it. In a 3 mm suit in salt water I don't need any weight. Makes for really nice and easy diving