Backplates versus Vests/Jackets a Newb's perspective

[SangP]

All things considering... you have only 9 dives and you haven't used a lot of different bcds, I would suggest that you also keep your options open to other bcds too.

The express tech is a great looking bcd and looks like a very modular and viable system not to mention how affordable it is too.

However, for a little bit more you could get a complete bp/w system with an alu plate, 360 doughnut wing.
AL back plate w/ Oxycheq Hog Harness & Oxycheq Mach V wing [DROCpkg] - $375.00 : Cave Adventurers!, We will NOT be undersold!!!

The only con of a bp/w is that it may not be suitable for sm diving but for all other conventional styles it is really great.
The zeagle express tech is a very capable system but I'm still concerned about using doubles on it.
Lastly you could also consider the diverite transpac system.

SangP

 

[annasea]

<snip>

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

FWIW, I only dive when I travel and I use a lightweight kydex BP which weighs far less than my SS one.

If you visit other boards, The Deco Stop comes to mind, you'll frequently see BP/Ws being sold secondhand. Even if the initial outlay seems more, BP/Ws seem to hold their value better and will sell for more, and more quickly, than a BC.

If you dive wet (3mm for example) you might not necessarily need a weightbelt. With 6mm on my core (3mm for the rest), I don't need much weight. Rather than using a weight belt, I have 4 small Halcyon weight pockets attached to my camband and harness. They're very streamlined and I'm not aware of them at all once my BP/W is on.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[fjpatrum]

All things considering... you have only 9 dives and you haven't used a lot of different bcds, I would suggest that you also keep your options open to other bcds too.

The express tech is a great looking bcd and looks like a very modular and viable system not to mention how affordable it is too.

However, for a little bit more you could get a complete bp/w system with an alu plate, 360 doughnut wing.
AL back plate w/ Oxycheq Hog Harness & Oxycheq Mach V wing [DROCpkg] - $375.00 : Cave Adventurers!, We will NOT be undersold!!!

The only con of a bp/w is that it may not be suitable for sm diving but for all other conventional styles it is really great.
The zeagle express tech is a very capable system but I'm still concerned about using doubles on it.
Lastly you could also consider the diverite transpac system.

SangP

Thanks for the input. I will grant that there are possibly some other jacket BCs that will fit me better than my current one, but so far I don't see much point. I know I can get the exact fit I want/need from just about any harness and backplate type design without having to "hunt" for it. I'd rather spend my time diving a system that is comfortable than spending my time diving trying out 30 different BCs.

I'm not definitely tied to the zeagle, or against an SS or AL backplate at all. At this point, cost is more of a factor for me and the express tech packs a lot of features I like (so far) into a cheap package. I didn't get to try one on this weekend, though I had an opportunity, so I'm going to try and see how it actually feels before making a final decision either way.

I have zero interest, at this point, in using doubles. If at some point in the future I do want doubles I'll move to a more traditional BP/W with a much larger wing, I suspect. I also believe I could fairly easily add a larger wing to the express tech, but I may be wrong about that.

Thanks for the link. I'm not sure I think $375 is "a bit more" than $250 but I'm keeping my options open at this point so I appreciate knowing what all is out there.

 

[SangP]

Thanks for the input. I will grant that there are possibly some other jacket BCs that will fit me better than my current one, but so far I don't see much point. I know I can get the exact fit I want/need from just about any harness and backplate type design without having to "hunt" for it. I'd rather spend my time diving a system that is comfortable than spending my time diving trying out 30 different BCs.

I'm not definitely tied to the zeagle, or against an SS or AL backplate at all. At this point, cost is more of a factor for me and the express tech packs a lot of features I like (so far) into a cheap package. I didn't get to try one on this weekend, though I had an opportunity, so I'm going to try and see how it actually feels before making a final decision either way.

I have zero interest, at this point, in using doubles. If at some point in the future I do want doubles I'll move to a more traditional BP/W with a much larger wing, I suspect. I also believe I could fairly easily add a larger wing to the express tech, but I may be wrong about that.

Thanks for the link. I'm not sure I think $375 is "a bit more" than $250 but I'm keeping my options open at this point so I appreciate knowing what all is out there.

$250 is a great deal, but where did you get it from cus scubatoys n lp are all charging about $275 or more.

You could also swap out the wing for something larger if needed but I'm still not sure if the express tech can be used for doubles/stage back mount... maybe Scott can chime in?

The only issue I have with the express tech is if it can be used for doubles. Really a minor concern n I think you would be really happy with the ET.

SangP

 

[Peter Guy]

It really is a fallacy that SS BPs are "too heavy" for travel. I actually weighed by SS BP/W and my SeaQuest Balance -- Balance was about 2 pounds lighter -- which just isn't that much in my opinion. AND, if you are really concerned about weight, it is easy to strip the BP of cambands and put it into a normal carryon so the total weight of the checked luggage is lighter than that of a "normal" BC. And this is steel plates -- Kydex/Aluminum are, in fact, lighter than a "normal" BC.

 

[Peter_C]

The Freedom Plate is lighter than a regular stainless back plate (Less metal since it is cut to conform) and more comfortable, so I and many others say. At some point soon I am going to have an Oxycheq Signature 30lb wing for sale and if you wanted a Freedom Plate I could drop it off to ZKY aka Eric the maker of the plates and have them shipped together.

I have two dedicated BP/W's with one for singles (Freedom Plate, switching to a Mach V 40lb wing to float my heavy HP130's with dual regs, canister light, and wedge weight) and an aluminum plate for doubles (Dive Rite AL plate with Oxycheq wing).

There are two different types of cam bands for sale. One style is made of plastic and the other is made of stainless. I prefer the stainless but if weight is an issue...plastic might be for you.

Dive Rite aluminum plates are cheap and can often be had used for around $50. I bought a used stainless Dive Rite back plate and harness together for $90 shipped. Check in at Dive Gear Express for some great deals on new equipment. Other shops have already been mentioned as have places to purchase used gear.

 

[SangP]

It really is a fallacy that SS BPs are "too heavy" for travel. I actually weighed by SS BP/W and my SeaQuest Balance -- Balance was about 2 pounds lighter -- which just isn't that much in my opinion. AND, if you are really concerned about weight, it is easy to strip the BP of cambands and put it into a normal carryon so the total weight of the checked luggage is lighter than that of a "normal" BC. And this is steel plates -- Kydex/Aluminum are, in fact, lighter than a "normal" BC.

It's not just the weight of one component that makes travel a pain... jet fins 3kg, 4 sets of regs, 12kg, bp/w 3kg, suit 2kg, lights 4kg... I haven't even added any for my bags or clothes or anything else and I'm already at 24kg.

Now that might be a bit much but a tech dive can really push the weight limit and every kg counts. A steel bp is about 2-2.5kg while a alu bp is just 700g so if you don't need the extra weight, a steel bp is a bit much.

SangP

 

[fjpatrum]

It really is a fallacy that SS BPs are "too heavy" for travel. I actually weighed by SS BP/W and my SeaQuest Balance -- Balance was about 2 pounds lighter -- which just isn't that much in my opinion. AND, if you are really concerned about weight, it is easy to strip the BP of cambands and put it into a normal carryon so the total weight of the checked luggage is lighter than that of a "normal" BC. And this is steel plates -- Kydex/Aluminum are, in fact, lighter than a "normal" BC.

Peter, thanks for the info. I'm not particularly concerned about the weight for travel with regard to checked bags but more the fact that it just adds to my total weight. I travel with a family and the less weight the better, especially since one of the family is a 1 year old, which brings a whole lot of other stuff. The weight of my current BC was actually a factor of this as well, because it felt ridiculously heavy and bulky on my most recent trip. My original plan was to do a DIY backplate just to try it out... something of PVC or something similar.

I travel a lot and the lighter the better, no matter what the situation, in my opinion. It's why I have a 12 inch laptop rather than a 15 and that's generally less than a pound of difference in weight. You know, the whole "minimalist" thing applies to most of my hobbies, including climbing, camping, hiking, cycling, and now diving it seems...

 

[fjpatrum]

SangP, your point about the weight of the overall kit, not just a single component is exactly why I want a lightweight plate, though I can definitely see having multiples in the future.

As for the price of the Zeagle, a google search shows at least 5 sites listing the Express Tech for $249, including LeasurePro.
zeagle express tech - Google Product Search
Those are prices without any of the "nice" features like padded straps or anything like that... and may not include a crotch strap, I'm not sure.

I don't have enough experience to decide yet whether I think the full donut wing is worth it or not but from what I can tell I don't think it would make much difference to me. Like I said, I hope to dive a few more configurations before I pull the trigger on a final purchase, unless I can find a really good deal on something that looks "good enough" for now. I have no problem with buyer's remorse, I just see each purchase as an opportunity to learn something more and either have spare gear or something I can sell to someone else that may like it more than me.

 

[SangP]

Thanks for the link and I did find out that Zeagle does produce double shell & 360 wings so at least some of my earlier concerns are moot.

As for the express tech being able to handle doubles I guess you can reinforce it by replacing the shoulder strap, use thicker webbing and restitch it all the way to the backbone strap. However, according to the zeagle express site, it does say it has hole spacing for use with a doubles assembly.

SangP