Big Man versus BCD

[Straegen]

Being a big man (280lbs, 6'3") with a nice sized waist and monsterous sized chest (55" as I am fairly muscular as well) I am very limited as to what fits me. I have done A LOT of reading and have narrowed my search to these three. I have tried on these or on in a couple cases similar setups and I just can't decide what would be best. Virtually all my dives for the foreseeable future will be warm weather FL or Caribbean-esk single tank dives that include some travel but limited to driving/cruising and no consideration of air travel.

1. Zeagle Brigade
2. Dive Rite TransPac BP/W
3. Dive Rite TransPlate BP/W
4. Deep Sea Supply BP/W

I hear words like "floppy" when it comes to the DiveRite wings, everyone seems to love the DSS but the same can be said for the Brigade. I like the idea of Tall sizing in the TransPac, but not sure how advantageous that would be. The Zeagle price point is a consideration but since I plan on using this rig for a good long time $100-$200 isn't a huge concern. Given my size and shape, I am not sure how streamlined a pack needs to be.

Anyway, I just can't seem to pull the trigger one way or another and could use some expert opinion. I know there is no real right/wrong answer, just trying to consider all my options and make sure I haven't missed something.

 

[Cave Diver]

As a former owner of a transpac system, I would personally advise against that. As you mentioned "floppy" is a good descriptor. If you decide to go with a DiveRite product, I'd stick to the regular backplate vs. Transpac.

DSS has some good stuff as well and its hard to beat a good BP/W setup.

Tobin is on the board, shoot him a message or post in the DSS forum. I'm sure he'd be glad to assist with any questions regarding his products and how they'd meet your needs.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/members/cool_hardware52.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/deep-sea-supply/

 

[mood]

If you're worried about size and fit, you should opt for the BP/W setup regardless which brand. Im not sure how "floppy" DR wings are because i never used one. With a BP/W customization is endless.

You'll run into hog enthusiasts which prefer a single piece webbings, or other divers who prefer a "deluxe" harness which has quick releases and shoulder adjustment straps (i prefer the latter). The advantage of a BP/W is that you can mix and match, so if you do find a DR floppy, you can give another wing another go and same goes to the harness.

As Cave Diver said, Tobin is your guy. I personally dive a DR SS plate with an Oxycheq BP/W, but Tobin did help me understand and calculate the lift i need. Youll find great customer service if you decide to go with the DSS setup.

Good luck
Moh'd

 

[PvtStash]

Its a Rec/Tec BPW ,

currently I'm 6' 3" , 260lbs... , but have had the WTX when I was in excess of 300 lbs as well...

Love it.

 

[Straegen]

Looks like a really nice BPW, but none of my close LDS has one to try on and finding one on the net here in the states doesn't seem all that easy. Those that I can find seem to cost about as much as competing BPWs. What makes this one worth it over the others?

 

[ONESPEED]

If you do decide on a Transpac I have an XXL TranspacII w/ a travel wing (not floppy at all) and the optional weight pockets for sale. It's in excellent condition. PM me for details if you have any interest.

 

[rstofer]

The fact that you can interchange wings is a nice but EXPENSIVE feature of the BP/W concept. You really want to get the right wing for the right application right from the beginning. It's too expensive to hunt and choose.

So, a disclaimer right up front: over the past 6 months I have bought 2 DSS BP/Ws, 1 DR BP/W and a Edge Stealth back-inflate BC.

The BC was for my grandson and his initial OW class. He will get a DSS BP/W in due course. The DR rig was for my wife. She just couldn't deal with the short inflator hose on the DSS wing. As she was doing AOW right after getting the rig, complications were not desired. Turns out she now complains the DR hose is too long!

My son-in-law and I both use the DSS rigs. I like them a lot. It is said that a plate is a plate but the DSS plate stands out in that the openings for the harness have rubber edges to prevent chafe. Plate for plate, I would go with the DSS even if I got the wing elsewhere.

Both of the DSS rigs have the ProFit harness. I kind of like the extra padding. Sure, it isn't Hogarthian but I don't care. As an experiment I put a HOG harness on the plate and I didn't like it. I really WANT the quick release buckles. Yes, I know I can put a buckle in the HOG harness. I did it and still went back to the ProFit. But that's just me. I'm too old to do the 'chicken-wing' to get out of the harness.

There are a lot of interesting wings around. Obviously, my DSS rigs have DSS wings; specifically, the LCD-30. The DR has a Venture wing with a ton of lift. We got that wing really cheap so the total cost of the rig was quite attractive. The DR also has the Deluxe harness with all the padding, D-rings, buckles and attachments DR could possibly connect to the webbing. My wife likes it and that's all that matters.

So, if I were shopping for another rig, what would I buy? Well, I'm pretty sure it would be another DSS. Not that the other manufacturers don't have good products but I really like the customer service and the fast delivery.

Give Tobin a call and see what he recommends. I don't think there will be much of a problem with the BP/W concept. With the HOG style rig, the chest strap doesn't exist. As a result, chest size doesn't matter. There is a 'tall' plate that should be more than adequate. The real issue is getting the proper wing for the diving you intend to do and this is where customer service comes in. I'm diving cold water with a wetsuit so my requiremets will be somewhat different.

Richard

 

[Teamcasa]

Its a Rec/Tec BPW ,

currently I'm 6' 3" , 260lbs... , but have had the WTX when I was in excess of 300 lbs as well...

Love it.

I'll second that. The WTX is a very versatile and secure system. BTW, I a big guy as well.

 

[dkktsunami]

Plate and wing with one piece harness (hog rig) is going to be the way to go for you. This will allow maximum size flexibility and ease of adjustment. Plus it looks better.

 

[fnfalman]

I have the DiveRite TransPac and also the TransPlate and both are currently equipped with Venture wing (45-lbs) lift.

I personally like the TransPac. It holds the single tank just fine and doesn't shift in the water. It's comfortable and it's highly adaptable to side mounting or rebreather (if and when I get to that sort of thing). I got the TransPlate just to see what a hard backplate is all about. Works as advertised, but I still prefer the TransPac.