To, surface flotation is a secondary design consideration. Performance at depth is more important. That said, I don't see any problems with my BP/W. I fill it up with enough air to get my head out of the water and I'm perfectly stable at the surface. The rumors of "face plant" just aren't true at all.
To, surface flotation is a secondary design consideration. Performance at depth is more important. That said, I don't see any problems with my BP/W. I fill it up with enough air to get my head out of the water and I'm perfectly stable at the surface. The rumors of "face plant" just aren't true at all.
I think you have both determined that minimalist = simplicity. I disagree. I think simple to use = simplicity. That's a huge difference. Sure a BP/W is "simpler" by that definition. Till you decide to dive the thing! I congratulate you upon your ability to put stuff together. I wish I shared that ability. As I thought I had made clear, I want the OP to hear from both sides of the fence. Shocking as this may come to you I personally find my weight integrated back inflate zeagle stiletto MUCH simpler to dive with. But that is just me (and perhaps after a trial run the OP may come to a similar conclusion. Fortunately the op now has some serious disagreements to ponder. Thanks for providing your point of view better than I ever could.
Wow. I don't know why you're on my case. Show me please where I said the OP should by a bpw.
i gave the same advise I give every new diver: rent, borrow or steal as many bc's as you can. I always say the bc should be the final purchase for a new diver because it is very personal.
But so the OP gets a fair comparison, I will share why I like a bpw.
My steel rig is 6 pounds negative. My stilleto was roughly 1pound positive. That equates to roughly 7 pounds of lead I don't need in the pockets (if I had any). I usually dive without any added weight as I use steel tanks.
My stilleto 7 pounds in the pockets weighed about 13 pounds. My steel rig weighs in at about 10.
my aluminum rig weighs the same as the stiletto (I weighed them both) yet it is 2 to 3 pounds negative. There again is 3 to 4 pounds of lead I don't need to carry.
With my bpw, I can adjust the location of d-rings where they suit me. With my stilleto, I could only efficiently use 1 d-ring and I had to add that one at that.
Most importantly for me is the fact that the distributes weight up high across my lungs and torso. It helps me maintain a nice horizontal position in the water. The stilleto weight pockets were too low for me. But that is just me and my physiology.
A properly sized wing won't trap air. There has been discussion about Rangers trapping air. I don't know if that is the case with my stilleto as I suspect it would have trapped air during my weight check and I would compensated for it with lead.
I am really curious as to what you found complicated about diving a bpw.