Backplates versus Vests/Jackets a Newb's perspective

[fjpatrum]

I went out diving this past weekend at the local quarry and got the opportunity to dive a backplate/wing configuration on one dive and my own jacket BC on another.

I will readily admit to not particularly liking my jacket bc, which is why I was looking at the backplates in the first place. I have no problem with the jackets I used in the pool, but I've found mine (Genesis Phantom) more restrictive for me in real-world dives. I've also found as I inflate it, especially when wearing a lot of neoprene, it squeezes me a little more than I'd like around the ribs.

I believe the bp/w I used was a Dive Rite Transpac, but I honestly don't remember for sure. I also have no idea what size wing was on the configuration but it wasn't really big, so I'm guessing somewhere around 26 or 30 pound lift.

The comparisons, as I see them, are fairly obvious and, for me, pointed clearly toward one choice.

The pros of the jacket:
easy on easy off
integrated weights and big pockets
simple to understand and use
what I learned with in my OW class
trim weight pockets for some weight adjustability
"one size fits all" of S, M, L sizing makes for simple sizing for most people
what most "insta-buddies" are likely to be familiar with

The cons of the jacket:
bulky
not really well designed for accessories I'm likely to use
constrictive
"one size fits all" issue of S,M,L sizing doesn't work well for me

While the list of pros is a little larger, the biggest factor for me falls under the con. It might be better if I found a jacket bc that fit my particular frame better. I've only tried on a few and this particular one is the only one I've used anywhere other than a pool.

The pros of the bp/w:
simple to understand and use
very efficient and easy to move in
light weight for lifting without integrated weights
easy configuration changes with D rings on harness
with steel plate can lose some extra weights
customized fit capability of "single-loop" harness
apparent ease of buoyancy control compared to my jacket (may have just been mental though)

The cons of the bp/w:
heavy for traveling with steel plate
expensive and harder to find used
needing a weight belt

As you can tell, for me, there weren't many drawbacks to the bp/w option. Others have made a lot of mention of the potential to be pushed face-first at the surface, but I didn't have any issue with that. The heavy weight of a steel plate can also be alleviated for travel with either an aluminum or plastic plate for travel purposes.

I have 9 dives under my belt now, 8 with a jacket, and 1 with a bp/w and for me it's very clear that I will be diving some sort of bp/w in the future.

I'm a difficult to fit skinny guy with broad shoulders and moderate chest-- in other words for jacket bcs, I need a small in the waist, a medium in the chest, and a large in the shoulders for it to fit properly. That's not possible to find without making my own or buying a custom bc. On top of that, the "negatives" I've read about in a bp/w rig just didn't seem to apply to me.

Hopefully my newness will help others like me to see a less-biased frame of reference and not just another flame in the ongoing war.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Your one con as the BPW being expensive and harder to find used may just be your experience so far. Most jackets are more expensive and finding a used plate is not hard here or on the deco stop.

 

[Buoyant1]

There are off brand back plates out there...try looking for Highland millworks..they make nice stuff that's a tad less expensive than some of the "name brand" companies...also check online for stores having close out sales on wings! I picked up a rather nice doubles wing from Scuba Toys that was on close out.



Good luck, you'll love that set up!

 

[rongoodman]

If you're worried about travel weight, you can buy an aluminum plate, but my SS Halcyon has been to the tropics about ten times already. You can get a lot of stuff in that 50 lb allowance.

 

[Blue Sparkle]

The pros of the bp/w:
simple to understand and use
very efficient and easy to move in
light weight for lifting without integrated weights
easy configuration changes with D rings on harness
with steel plate can lose some extra weights
customized fit capability of "single-loop" harness
what most "insta-buddies" are likely to be familiar with
apparent ease of buoyancy control compared to my jacket (may have just been mental though)

That's interesting because I would have put that under the "vest" type, in my limited experience (Florida).

 

[cmburch]

I have seen used SS BP's recently with harness for less than half price on SCUBABoard and SCUBAToys. I do not know if they had slots for tank cam straps though.

 

[Amphiprion]

You know that you can get integrated weight pockets for your bp/w, right?

 

[Buoyant1]

I have seen used SS BP's recently with harness for less than half price on SCUBABoard and SCUBAToys. I do not know if they had slots for tank cam straps though.

Single tank adaptors aren't that overly expensive if needed

 

[fjpatrum]

That's interesting because I would have put that under the "vest" type, in my limited experience (Florida).

Doh! It was supposed to be under the jacket pro, not the BP/W pro... I'll edit to fix, thanks.

 

[fjpatrum]

Thanks to all for the information and suggestions. All the "cons" I listed under the BP/W are really things I've heard, not so much things I consider true cons, other than the expense, and the rig I'm looking at very seriously is the Zeagle Express Tech, which is far cheaper than any of the new jackets/vests I've seen by any manufacturer whose name I recognize.

I will be looking into a few different ones, but so far I like everything about the Zeagle... 3 pull dumps, light weight, small pack size, and a myriad of other features.