Backplates

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WeldonDowd

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Location
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I'm looking at some older backplates on eBay to dive with. I saw this really cool one made by Saf-Dive Company that I thought I wanted but when I asked the seller if I could fit an al80 in it he said no, and it wasn't adjustable. So...is that a problem I am going to have if I want an older backplate with the metal band? Or are most adjustable enough? Any particular ones I should keep my eye out for to use al80's with. I'm in no big hurry for one, just something else I want. Thanks for reading.
 
Why would you want a plate with a metal band? And is this a backplate or a backpack. There is a difference. The older backpacks with the metal bands were usually used with steel 72's. Smaller diameter and IMO a better tank than an Al80 buoyancy wise. How about a link to the ad so we can actually see what you are talking about.
 
I have two of the older backpacks with metal bands. Both are adjustable and can handle 72s and 80s and I dive both sizes using these backpacks. Both are campaks and switching between different size tanks takes only a couple of minutes. Personally, I prefer metal bands over the nylon ones.

If you want an old style backpack, this is one of the better designs and is fully adjustable to fit any size tank:

http://cgi.ebay.com/U-S-DIVERS-SCUB...127?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item45f95478af
 
Thanks, I've been watching a few of those US Diver ones. I figured they were adjustable enough to fit an al80 but wanted to make sure.
 
The one in the Ebay ad I showed you is busted, right across the middle. You can see the crack just above the bands. I gave the link as an example. I wouldn't buy that particular backpack, though.
 
Go to almost any dive shop, and ask about old backpacks. Most have one or two around they will give up for about $20.

SeaRat
 
There are a wide varity of the old packs, some willl accomidate 80s and some will not. There are several versions of that USD one, at that angle I can't tell which it is. Some will only accomidate 72s, some will handle both 72s and 80s but are a pain to swap tanks (you must loosen/tighten 2 wing nuts) and there is another version that has a lever latch what will accomidate both tanks and is easy to swap tank.
There is a way to easily modify most of those that will not accomidate 80s so an 80 will fit. If it uses 2 wing nuts or regular nuts (like those USD ones do)_you can extend the threaded sections buy installing 1 inch threaded standoffs ($4 each at McMaster) on the tank side of the plate. I also like a washer under the standoff to spread out the load.

Many of those (including that model of USD) thicker plastic plates are fine for single hose regs but if you intend to use it with a double hose reg, a lot of them do lot allow the reg to be placed as low as it should and the extra distance it holds the tank from the body is not ideal. Those USD plates can not be lowered as much as needed due to the way the Drings are placed on the harness (unless you reharness the BP). For a DH reg, the thin, single layer plates are much better. Most of those can be modified with the stand offs as well.
 
Hmm. I don't have any problem getting my USD campac low enough. The straps are adjustable and the D-rings don't interfere at all. I used it and my Healthways with my first DAAM with no problems and they serve me for my DH now. As far as the distance from my back, the reg only sits a couple of inches or so farther away than with a harness and I honestly have never noticed any difference. Of course, my experience may not be typical.:D

I used a military harness when I first started diving and used it until the webbing wore out and broke in the late '60s. I bought my Healthways campac on sale at a department store and started using it. I thought it was more comfortable than a harness and after I tweeked it a bit it served me just fine. I was given my USD campac a few years later and I've used them both since then, both with DH and single hose regs. I rewebbed the Healthways when the straps started showing heavy wear but it keeps right on ticking.

I guess it all boils down to individual tastes and preferences.
 

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