BC Considerations, Input..

[427Dave]

I dove with a Watergill AT-PAK for years. Changed to a Sherwood Jacket and have dove with a few other brands of rental units, do not and have not liked the jackets. The AT-PAK was a backplate and wing with integrated weight system and I loved it. It had some problems and got old, like me....

I am considering a new BC, and wish something simular to the AT-PAK, BP/W and integrated weights. I also will only be using single tanks, and travel with it some. Some of the tanks will be 80AL rentals, even though I prefer the steel. I know It is a lot of personal choice, but what are recommendations or ideas??? I will apprecate any constructive information.

Thanks

 

[dk2943]

I know the BP/W croud will tell you to get one of those and the BC croud will say Zeagle, neither of which is a bad thing, but look at the Riptide Zone II.

 

[ZzzKing]

A Dive Rite Transpack might be something to look into as well. It may be similar to what you are use to using.

 

[ScubaAdam]

I know the BP/W croud will tell you to get one of those and the BC croud will say Zeagle, neither of which is a bad thing, but look at the Riptide Zone II.

When you are right you are right. After trying a few different BCs I ended up getting a Zeagle Stiletto and have been extremely happy. So I would say check them out. It is a smaller BC so it is great for travel.

 

[*Floater*]

I dove with a Watergill AT-PAK for years. Changed to a Sherwood Jacket and have dove with a few other brands of rental units, do not and have not liked the jackets. The AT-PAK was a backplate and wing with integrated weight system and I loved it. It had some problems and got old, like me....

How did your bp/w rig get old? I thought most backplates would last forever, harnesses are cheap to replace (at least hogarthian ones that just need new webbing), and wing bladders can usually be repaired and the inflator serviced or replaced - or you could just buy a new wing.

I am considering a new BC, and wish something simular to the AT-PAK, BP/W and integrated weights. I also will only be using single tanks, and travel with it some. Some of the tanks will be 80AL rentals, even though I prefer the steel. I know It is a lot of personal choice, but what are recommendations or ideas??? I will apprecate any constructive information.

Thanks

For warm water diving my ideal rig is a plastic or aluminum plate, hogarthian harness with (xs scuba) weight pockets added to the belt straps and a small ~18# single-layered (bladderless), donut wing, but others may have different preferences.

Double-layered wings are more durable (but heavier and less streamlined), 18# may not be enough lift for some people (30# should be fine for any warm water diver) and there are many people who think donuts and horseshoes work the same in practice, or some may even prefer horseshoes because they allow for greater air trapping capacity. I like donuts because I think they are easier to rear dump and balance out. Also, some prefer the so-called comfort harnesses to simple hogarthian ones.

 

[MSilvia]

The AT-PAK was a backplate and wing with integrated weight system and I loved it. It had some problems and got old, like me....

I am considering a new BC, and wish something simular to the AT-PAK, BP/W and integrated weights. I also will only be using single tanks, and travel with it some. I know It is a lot of personal choice, but what are recommendations or ideas???

The AT-PAK is just slightly before my time, so I had to do a little hunting around to find info on one. After looking at a picture of it I have a better idea what you're looking for.

Assuming you can live without the hard shell enclosing the wing, I'd say you hit the nail right on the head. You seem to want a conventional backplate and wing with a hogarthian harness and integrated weights. Since it looks like the AT-PAK had a plastic backpack/plate, I'd recommend you go with a lightweight aluminium backplate, as that will be durable, relatively easy to find, and similar to what you were using before in terms of buoyancy characteristics. Since you won't have a shell for streamlining (and arguably for several other reasons), a slightly smaller wing than the 45 pounder that came on the AT-PAK might not be a bad idea. Something just a little smaller, in the 30# range ought to serve you quite well for single tank diving. Personally, I'm a big fan of the OxyCheq signature series wings, although Halcyon, DSS, Golem, and several other manufacturers make good wings too. As for the ditchable weights, I don't use them myself, but there are several commercially available options for pockets that you can attach to the waistband on your harness that should work just fine. I'll leave recommendations of specific models to those better acquainted with them.

 

[427Dave]

The AT-PAK is just slightly before my time, so I had to do a little hunting around to find info on one. After looking at a picture of it I have a better idea what you're looking for.

Assuming you can live without the hard shell enclosing the wing, I'd say you hit the nail right on the head. You seem to want a conventional backplate and wing with a hogarthian harness and integrated weights. Since it looks like the AT-PAK had a plastic backpack/plate, I'd recommend you go with a lightweight aluminium backplate, as that will be durable, relatively easy to find, and similar to what you were using before in terms of buoyancy characteristics. Since you won't have a shell for streamlining (and arguably for several other reasons), a slightly smaller wing than the 45 pounder that came on the AT-PAK might not be a bad idea. Something just a little smaller, in the 30# range ought to serve you quite well for single tank diving. Personally, I'm a big fan of the OxyCheq signature series wings, although Halcyon, DSS, Golem, and several other manufacturers make good wings too. As for the ditchable weights, I don't use them myself, but there are several commercially available options for pockets that you can attach to the waistband on your harness that should work just fine. I'll leave recommendations of specific models to those better acquainted with them.

Mine did not have the enclosure.

Thank you for you input

 

[427Dave]

How did your bp/w rig get old? I thought most backplates would last forever, harnesses are cheap to replace (at least hogarthian ones that just need new webbing), and wing bladders can usually be repaired and the inflator serviced or replaced - or you could just buy a new wing.



For warm water diving my ideal rig is a plastic or aluminum plate, hogarthian harness with (xs scuba) weight pockets added to the belt straps and a small ~18# single-layered (bladderless), donut wing, but others may have different preferences.

Double-layered wings are more durable (but heavier and less streamlined), 18# may not be enough lift for some people (30# should be fine for any warm water diver) and there are many people who think donuts and horseshoes work the same in practice, or some may even prefer horseshoes because they allow for greater air trapping capacity. I like donuts because I think they are easier to rear dump and balance out. Also, some prefer the so-called comfort harnesses to simple hogarthian ones.

Watergill went out of business, I could not get it serviced anymore. One big problem was the inflator hose was inside the LP hose with the push buttons. If that hose ever ruptured you got a quick trip to the top. I never had any problem with mine, but ended up giving it to an instructor that wanted to see if he could change it.. It was about 22 years old at the time.

 

[divemaster_jim]

A Dive Rite Transpack might be something to look into as well. It may be similar to what you are use to using.

I'd offer one of the three:
Diverite Transpac
SeaQuest Balance / Black diamond
Aqualung Malibu

I've owned a Scubapro Seahawk (Daddy to the Knighthawk) didn't like it because it was to bulky, traded it off and bought a Black diamond, never looked back.
The others (Balance & Malibu) I mentioned I have used at times and would not have a problem owning any of them.

 

[wunat]

I would go for a standard backplate and wing setup with AL plates and wings of your choice. You can go with the adjustable harness if you are interested but I personally prefer the hog setup. Do look into getting a crotch strap with the harness (hog or adjustable) though. Weight pockets can be added. I place my weight pockets on my tank cam strap. This helps alot with trying to stay vertical on the surface. You've got lots of choices to look into in your market.

Halcyon, DiveRite, DSS, and more.............................

Ciao