BackPlate Wings BCD for Newbie

[Shazzman]

have about 25 dives under belt. now want to buy BCD. am thinking about bp+w BCD but am concerned that one needs to train more with jacket style before going bp+w style.
Looking at zeagle ranger, oceanic cruz, or another type of bp+w bcd. need good ease of use, easy to ditch weights, and provide good comfort.

i was looking at zeagle wicked, but was out of price range.

thoughts?

 

[DevonDiver]

If you want to dive BP&W, then there is no point getting used to a jacket first. I teach OW courses using BP&W for my students. It's no problem

 

[TSandM]

My husband starts his OW students in a backplate. It's only a BC -- it adds and vents air like all the rest. It's no more complicated.

 

[Kilili]

Switch now, before you pursue jacket route. Backplate easier to work with anyway.

 

[halocline]

The BCs you mention are not BP/W systems, I'm not sure you realize that. Spend some time on this forum and you'll get a better idea of what you're looking at. Basically, with a BP/W you buy a rigid plate, usually steel, a bladder called the wing, and a harness, the best of which is a single piece of 2" webbing with a few D rings and a steel buckle. Then you get cam bands and possibly pockets for the weights.

You mention "easy to ditch weights"; why are you concerned about that? In warm water (you said in another thread you're mostly diving in the caribbean) you really don't need ditchable weight; in fact I'd be more concerned about quick release weights accidentally dropping.

Its pretty common for new divers to be especially concerned about being able to drop weights, especially with PADI's excessive emphasis on it. That's because for new divers, many of whom are significantly overweighted, surface problems are as likely as problems at depth.

 

[DevonDiver]

The BCs you mention are not BP/W systems, I'm not sure you realize that.

Good spot! I hadn't noticed that!

 

[spectrum]

There shouldn't be any problem starting out in a plate & harness based system (BP&W). As TS&M mentioned they fill, vent and behave essentially the same way. With 25 dives you are probably forming some likes and dislikes based on gear you have used. Consider those inputs. Other than relearning where features are the is no real training required. You should be 90% adapted in 2 dives. Maybe sooner since you have limited habits at this stage.

What you will face is a smorgasbord of options that can be daunting to a new diver. Consider working with a trusted local shop for a compatible set of components. There are also suppliers like Deep Sea Supply (DSS) that offer complete rigs, ready to dive. All of this means that you need to do some research and hopefully try some gear to make intelligent choices and avoid costly mistakes.

It's easy to load a rig with padding, pockets, weights, fuzzy dice and cup holders ending up with a heavy cluttered beast. You can also drive the cost to the moon that way. Think minimalist. Weight, other than for trim goes on a belt. Pockets, if any go on your suit. carry a catch bag for stuff you find. Keep it simple, you want to avoid building a jacket BC ala carte.

In your post it's not clear what you care looking at as a BP&W so definitely proceed with caution.

Pete

 

[DevonDiver]

It's easy to load a rig with padding, pockets, weights, fuzzy dice and cup holders ending up with a heavy cluttered beast.

...and for many mis-informed and over-zealous, novice to intermediate level, divers such a cluttered end-state becomes virtually a desired goal.

Such is the wily way of scuba manufacturing industry marketeers! :mooner:

 

[diverlee]

Most dive shops have rental ones they will let you try. I would try several, find one you are comfortable with and go from there. For some dives I use one and also use a wt belt. I am not a fan of pocket wts. Just me, everyone is different. I also like the padding. I have tried without, hurts my shoulders so went back to padding. Even that can be customized.

 

[danvolker]

Most dive shops have rental ones they will let you try. I would try several, find one you are comfortable with and go from there. For some dives I use one and also use a wt belt. I am not a fan of pocket wts. Just me, everyone is different. I also like the padding. I have tried without, hurts my shoulders so went back to padding. Even that can be customized.

I would also recommend that the shop you go to for a "demo" or rental bp/wing , should really be a high level shop, where there is a certainty, and a desire on the part of the shop, to EXACTLY fit the harness to you. I would recommend Halcyon for the demo, both for the quality and functions, and for the liklihood of finding a shop which demos/rents them with optimal fitting skills (and desire to use them) .

I dive in warm water, frequenTly with a thin Lycra top on...I am absolutely comfortable in my halcyon rig...
Regards,
Dan V