boomx5
Contributor
So were do I get a Fred T. back plate?
Best SS Backplate
- Thread starter sumguy
- Start date
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FredT
Guest
just send an email tothe address in the signature. I'll reply with the information.
FT
FT
scottk
Guest
SeaJay
Contributor
The dive shop at Ginnie Springs had a Halcyon SS BP that was POLISHED. Wow. You wanna talk about cool looking? I know, I know... Why do I need a cool looking BP? Well...
I think someone said it was "Scuba Rule #2." :sheepish:
REally, though, what I thought was so cool about it was the smoothness of the finish... The way it felt against my hand made me have confidence that webbing, wetsuit, and anything else that came in contact with the polished SS bp would have the tendency not to wear. Not that non-polished plates would wear anything out... But this was just so smooooth... So niiiiice...
Anyone seen a FredT SS with a polished finish and been able to compare it to a Halcyon polished?
Something else that I thought was interesting about FredT's plates... He makes a "normal" size and a "short" size, designed for those people that are 5'6" or shorter (I think I've got that right.) I don't believe that the other manufacturers are offering this nice little bit of custom fit.
Yeah, I think it's going to be a pair of FredT's for me... Finished, and polished. I was thinking AL because we dive freshwater a lot, but I'm thinking that I wouldn't mind diving without ditchable weight. And if that's the case, I'm considering opting for the SS plate... Well, the "light" one. FredT also offers a thicker, heavier SS plate than the other manufacturers.
I think someone said it was "Scuba Rule #2." :sheepish:
REally, though, what I thought was so cool about it was the smoothness of the finish... The way it felt against my hand made me have confidence that webbing, wetsuit, and anything else that came in contact with the polished SS bp would have the tendency not to wear. Not that non-polished plates would wear anything out... But this was just so smooooth... So niiiiice...
Anyone seen a FredT SS with a polished finish and been able to compare it to a Halcyon polished?
Something else that I thought was interesting about FredT's plates... He makes a "normal" size and a "short" size, designed for those people that are 5'6" or shorter (I think I've got that right.) I don't believe that the other manufacturers are offering this nice little bit of custom fit.
Yeah, I think it's going to be a pair of FredT's for me... Finished, and polished. I was thinking AL because we dive freshwater a lot, but I'm thinking that I wouldn't mind diving without ditchable weight. And if that's the case, I'm considering opting for the SS plate... Well, the "light" one. FredT also offers a thicker, heavier SS plate than the other manufacturers.
The only real differences that I have noticed may or may not be of interest to you. The Halcyon and AUL's have a lower profile or cross section. The channel or rib if you will, to which you attach the wing and double tanks, rests closer to your back because this channel is not as deep as some of the others. This will place the tank's center closer to your back and the valve handle closer to your head. If you ever use doubles, you might run into a situation where the attachment bolts are not long enough to actually attach your backplate and wing. This happened to a buddy of mine while on a trip to Mexico. After trying several rental sets we finally found a set that worked, but he was sweating it for a while. They call them standard backplates, it's too bad that not everybody uses the same standards.
Hop Devil
Guest
I have the Hammerhead backplate from S&W Metal Products.
Great product, good finish excellent price. I have a dive rite and a halcyon wing and plate works great with both. I also have the one piece STA which I use for dry suit diving. The periodically have some stuff on ebay or you can go direct to their metal shop web page at:
swmetalproducts.com
Click on the "Hammerhad" heading on the left.
I thought they had the best price on the net.
good luck
Great product, good finish excellent price. I have a dive rite and a halcyon wing and plate works great with both. I also have the one piece STA which I use for dry suit diving. The periodically have some stuff on ebay or you can go direct to their metal shop web page at:
swmetalproducts.com
Click on the "Hammerhad" heading on the left.
I thought they had the best price on the net.
good luck
thethumper
Guest
I dive mostly fresh water springs in Fl. 70 degress or so. I dive a TPII now & would like to change over to a BP wing setup. I dive a 3mm Goldcore 1pc, w/a 5mm Shorty/Farmerjohn (sounds silly, but it's a farmerjohn cut off @ the knees & goes on the outside). I dive Catalina 3300 Al80's 34.4# empty, -5.9# Full ; -1.4# w500psi & -0.2# all in sea water. I dove in Orange Grove w/6# & was "maybe" 1# heavy. (eyes just underwater w/full breath) I plan on a dry suit, but not for another year or so.
With all these plates & wings.... My head's starting to spin.....
No wait.... That's the Nitrogen Norcosis.
With all these plates & wings.... My head's starting to spin.....
No wait.... That's the Nitrogen Norcosis.
SeaJay
Contributor
thethumper once bubbled...
I dive mostly fresh water springs in Fl. 70 degress or so. I dive a TPII now & would like to change over to a BP wing setup. I dive a 3mm Goldcore 1pc, w/a 5mm Shorty/Farmerjohn (sounds silly, but it's a farmerjohn cut off @ the knees & goes on the outside). I dive Catalina 3300 Al80's 34.4# empty, -5.9# Full ; -1.4# w500psi & -0.2# all in sea water. I dove in Orange Grove w/6# & was "maybe" 1# heavy. (eyes just underwater w/full breath) I plan on a dry suit, but not for another year or so.
With all these plates & wings.... My head's starting to spin.....
No wait.... That's the Nitrogen Norcosis.
Hehehee...
Thumper, I've had exactly the same experience and use similar tanks. Most of my AL tanks are NOT positively bouyant when empty, despite what others' experiences are. Like you, I prefer these kinds of tanks.
Don't forget that getting your weight right involves an EMPTY tank. Looks like you've got the formula down... But is that with a full or empty tank? I've found that it's best for me to weight myself properly at the beginning of my dive, with a full tank, then add four or five pounds to compensate for the air. I'm a little heavy at first, but perfect on deco.
Personally, I've found that a "light" stainless plate is best for me... But I dive both fresh and salt water. If I was diving fresh only, like you are, then I would do either a Halcyon or FredT aluminum plate (the Halcyon is "shallower" than the FredT) or Koplin's interesting SS "light" plate, which is a stainless plate with a good bit cut out to achieve the lightness.
For example, you could do the Koplin "light" plate with his STA, a Pioneer 27 wing, and be perfectly weighted with about 2 or 3 lbs. ditchable weight. I personally like the ACB+ pockets, but a weight belt would do you too.
Over the TPII, you'll find that the backplate/wing setups are much more stable, and the tank "stays put" on your back better. You'll also find that you don't have to wear as much weight (already not too much of a problem obviously) and that the whole rig is even simpler and more streamlined than the TPII.
Good luck!
thethumper
Guest
Thanks man! That weighting was 3000psi & I floated water level @ the top of my frame. I exited w/about 1000psi & was still quite negative. I do Ocean dive when I can, but I like the Cavern/Cave environment. Only thing I find is that in the current set up, I tend to want to be too head heavy & going vertical is an easy thing to do when you stop to do a tie off.
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