Backplates versus Vests/Jackets a Newb's perspective

[DevonDiver]

Yeah, I've encountered that. I assume that it would have been noticed though?!?

 

[EastTNDiver]

Before you guys blow a gasket trying to figure this out...the tank was not loose, and it was not moving around. The roll tendency could merely be a byproduct of me not being entirely comfortable in the rig. I am, however, completely comfortable in the Knighthawk, and thus, extremely stable with excellent bouyancy and trim. That's all it boils down to...personal preference. Do you guys really find it so incredibly hard to believe someone would not make the same gear choices as you?

Edited to say...that last statement above was inflamatory and not what I really meant to say. My bad. What I meant was do you guys really find it so hard to believe someone could have a valid reason for choosing something else over a BP/W?

 

[halocline]

I wonder if you were using a SS plate, and with the knighthawk your weight is in pockets near your hips. Having the weight on your back might give someone initially the feeling of turtle-ing, where the weight pockets put the weight in front of you (sort of) so they're underneath you when diving. (again, sort of)

I think the reason some of us BP/W users are curious about your experience is because it runs totally counter to ours, and in my case, there's a much bigger difference in the use of a BP/W vs a jacket BC than, for example, the choice of a particular regulator. And I'm a confirmed regulator geek.

 

[EastTNDiver]

I wonder if you were using a SS plate, and with the knighthawk your weight is in pockets near your hips. Having the weight on your back might give someone initially the feeling of turtle-ing, where the weight pockets put the weight in front of you (sort of) so they're underneath you when diving. (again, sort of)

I think the reason some of us BP/W users are curious about your experience is because it runs totally counter to ours, and in my case, there's a much bigger difference in the use of a BP/W vs a jacket BC than, for example, the choice of a particular regulator. And I'm a confirmed regulator geek.

That's a good point...I had not thought about that. Yes, the backplate was a SS plate. Even if I tried an AL plate, and took care of that issue, I still like the feel of the Knighthawk harness better. BTW, the Knighthawk is a back inflate, not jacket.

 

[Straegen]

In reference to the original post, I started with a BPW and have it in my garage (custom plate, Oxycheq Mach V). I then switched to a Zuma for travel as I didn't want to deal with switching wings around. I haven't used the BPW since. For the average warm water rec diver, I would recommend a light weight back inflate BC over a BPW. I know that is sacrilegious around here, but lightweight back inflates have many of the advantages of the BPW and traditional jacket with virtually none of downsides. I suspect the light weight back inflate BC is going to be a primary offering from many of the gear manufacturers and the BPW is a big reason why.

BPWs are incredibly versatile but when it comes to falling off the back of a boat in warm water, I will reach for my Zuma every time. If a diver asks me what BC to get and they are a warm water rec diver a BPW will be on the list but probably won't make the top 5. IMO of course.

 

[cmburch]

I use a DR SS BP with DR STA. It locks the tank in place as one solid unit for hiking our coastal cliff trails. There is no sway, so less worry about being pulled away from cliff face which equals more confidence when hiking and less fatigue. The DR STA tank cam band slots are about 1.5 inches higher than the DR SS BP slots so the tank rides higher. Some prefer not to use STA's. On used plates without slots for tank straps some have cut their own slots.

This is not the DIR section, so it is whatever is comfortable for each individual. I am under the assumption, though I have not looked at BC's in a while, that many have inflator pull dumps and extra pull dumps for right or left handers. They are not "Gimmicks" or anything "Fancy" since many manufacturers choose to market these products configured this way for the diving community. They are very common place in all, but technical specific dive shops.

 

[fjpatrum]

In reference to the original post, I started with a BPW and have it in my garage (custom plate, Oxycheq Mach V). I then switched to a Zuma for travel as I didn't want to deal with switching wings around. I haven't used the BPW since. For the average warm water rec diver, I would recommend a light weight back inflate BC over a BPW. I know that is sacrilegious around here, but lightweight back inflates have many of the advantages of the BPW and traditional jacket with virtually none of downsides. I suspect the light weight back inflate BC is going to be a primary offering from many of the gear manufacturers and the BPW is a big reason why.

BPWs are incredibly versatile but when it comes to falling off the back of a boat in warm water, I will reach for my Zuma every time. If a diver asks me what BC to get and they are a warm water rec diver a BPW will be on the list but probably won't make the top 5. IMO of course.

Yeah, I've tried on the zuma and it was quite comfortable. I haven't been able to dive one yet though. It's along the same lines as the exress tech, from what I can tell. Very light, minimal "bells and whistles" and comfortable but clearly made for travel.

 

[Derbdiver]

I disagree,

My brother is a dive master and learned to dive in the Marine Core so he has thousands of dives on 2 aqua lung BCD's he purchased in the early 80's. You want to know the real key to keeping dive equipment for the long haul is having the discipline to soak the BCD's and regs in fresh water after every dive or at the end of your dive trip. I have an Oceanic Isla BCD I purchased in 01' with over 100 dives all over the world. After every trip or dive I always soak it in fresh water rinse the bladder out with fresh water. It hangs in a closet with a little air in the bladder and works every time. A good BCD will last a long time if it is treated right. Just like changing the oil and filters in you car.

 

[Paladin]

I have a set of double steel 72s with a center tap, J manifold that I have been diving with a horse collar BC. Until recently, they were mounted on an old plastic campac using a set of stainless steel bowed tank bands. A friend gave me two Dive Rite plastic backplates with harnesses. I bought a new set of stainless steel tank bands and a Dive Rite Classic Wing. I have reconfigured the twins to BP/W setup but I have yet to get a chance to dive it. With a 3mm wetsuit, I needed six pounds of lead to be properly weighted with the horse collar.

Now that cold weather has arrived here in the Mountain State, it looks as if I won't have a chance to try out the new configuration for a while. So, my question is, when I do finally get the rig in the water, what should I expect from it?

Oh, and if this is a hijack, I apologize. It just seemed a good place to ask.

 

[fnfalman]

Before you guys blow a gasket trying to figure this out...the tank was not loose, and it was not moving around. The roll tendency could merely be a byproduct of me not being entirely comfortable in the rig. I am, however, completely comfortable in the Knighthawk, and thus, extremely stable with excellent bouyancy and trim. That's all it boils down to...personal preference. Do you guys really find it so incredibly hard to believe someone would not make the same gear choices as you?

Edited to say...that last statement above was inflamatory and not what I really meant to say. My bad. What I meant was do you guys really find it so hard to believe someone could have a valid reason for choosing something else over a BP/W?

Nah, say what you meant to say.

Last I checked God didn't annoint anybody on SB to be the ultimate authority on scuba diving. If you like the Knighthawk and everything on that BC work for you, then that's what you use. You don't have to justify your choices to anybody but yourself.