Backplate Systems

[japan-diver]

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.


Chris.

Dang Chris all that home cooking must be fattening you up!!! Need to get back to the land of sushi and rice.

 

[xiSkiGuy]

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.

I asked about the handles when I was shopping for a BP/W. Most of the feedback I got was that the Hammerhead handle was a "solution looking for a problem" and that you wouldn't want to (read: painful) pick up your rig by the built in handle. I thought I would miss the BCD handle, but after a few dives where I picked the rig up by the tank valve, I forgot all about wanting a handle.

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

I know OMS, DiveRite, Halcyon, Oxycheq, and Deep Outdoors make them, too.

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

I'll always encourage folks to shop at their local dive shop (I work at one), but if you are internet shopping, look at Tobin's stuff. It is well thought of here at Scubaboard, and Tobin is often available to answer questions about it: http://deepseasupply.com/index.html

Also call Larry at Scubatoys with questions. ScubaBoard members get an additional 10% off, and I haven't heard one bad thing about their customer service (but many great things): http://www.scubatoys.com/

 

[MarcG]

FYI, Hammerhead plates are also available with no handles for the same price.

 

[jagfish]

I asked about the handles when I was shopping for a BP/W. Most of the feedback I got was that the Hammerhead handle was a "solution looking for a problem" and that you wouldn't want to (read: painful) pick up your rig by the built in handle. I thought I would miss the BCD handle, but after a few dives where I picked the rig up by the tank valve, I forgot all about wanting a handle.

I totally agree. I don't see plate handles as a significant feature. The one exception might be when using a plate on a rebreather . I saw one made by a company somewhere in the Pacific NW that has a nice rounded handle at the top for RB use.

Jim

 

[Chad Carney]

Zeagle has had BP & Ws for over 3 years.

Available in aluminum, stainless steel and titanium.

The latest change as of the DEMA Show this fall, is the full line of wing bladders now attach in the standard manner, with the 11" grommets in a sewn together section.
Our website has not been updated about this yet, but does show the below manta Wing we have always made that way.

Chad

 

[Hop Devil]

Hammerhead makes their plates with or without grip holes in the stainless plates.
Their aluminum is only available with no grip holes.
They make a great product and include the STA in the package price. Heck of a deal considering the price of stainless steel and aluminum.
I actually made my own handle by taking some 1" nylon webbing and running it through the top of the STA cam band slot. Then I bought some clear plastic 5/8" tubing at Home Depot and threaded the Nylon through the Tubing. Makes a great handle for pulling the whole rig up onto the boat.

 

[Ben_ca]

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.

35/36 is overkill for Florida.... Go a notch down 27 lb

http://www.baue.org/faq/wing_size.html

 

[01RC51x2]

just wanted to say i dove jacket style bc for years and now dive OMS and love it. I dont find it very technical at all. I have I.q pack as well as comfort harness both on S.S with different bladders.

 

[mongoose]

All you fancy schmancy new-timer-whipper-snappers with all your "backplates" and "wings" and "regulators". Bah!

Whatever happened to the old TACAYWACJTYBWALT (tie-a-cinderblock-around-your-waist-and-clorox-jug-to-your-back-with-a-little-tube) system? Sniff a little laquer thinner to get your heart rate down, then in you go. We used to make our masks out of soda bottles. Too much reliance on "technology" these days.

Seriously, I have a zeagle backplate, dive-rite tank straps, oxycheq single-tank wing. I had a horrible time diving doubles(which was just lack of experience), but for me, with a single tank ... man ... a BP/W rocks... Everything you need and nothing you don't.

 

[PerroneFord]

I'd recommend a 27# wing, SS backplate, and probably dump your weightbelt, you won't need it. Halcyon (I have one), Dive Rite, Tobin's gear, all are good stuff. If you are in Tally, give a holler. Waterdawg and I are here and can lend a hand.