BP/W advice pls...

[zamboni19]

Hey all,

After reading an article on SAC rates and streamlining afforded by a Halcyon BP/W setup vs. a "standard" BCD (I think they used Sherwood) I am thinking about giving the BP/W setup a try.

Here is the article for anyone who wants to check it out (http://dive.scubadiving.com/members/gearreviews.php?s=671)

This is a huge step for me as I have always thought of BP/W as much more primitive and am only now seeing the real virtues when layed out mathematically.

My question is this: 1) What is your favorite setup and why? (Also, how much should it cost) and 2) Would you recommend it to someone who has no interest in anything deeper than 100' warm water , rec limit diving?

If you have used both jacket style BCD's and BP/W, and prefer jacket style, please throw in your .02 too...

 

[Rainer]

This is discussed daily on SB. Try searching. You'll get way more answers that way than waiting for 10-15 people to respond here.

 

[Peter_C]

I finally sold my Knighthawk BC after diving a Freedom plate all year. A plate conforms to your body, and stays in place much better than a BC. A plate is negative vs a jacket that is actually bouyant. That means you can take weight off. The streamlining is one of the biggest benefits.

If you want to learn more call Eric, and talk to him about his Freedom Plate. www.pacificcoastmarine.net

 

[cool_hardware52]

Hey all,

After reading an article on SAC rates and streamlining afforded by a Halcyon BP/W setup vs. a "standard" BCD (I think they used Sherwood) I am thinking about giving the BP/W setup a try.

Here is the article for anyone who wants to check it out (http://dive.scubadiving.com/members/gearreviews.php?s=671)

This is a huge step for me as I have always thought of BP/W as much more primitive and am only now seeing the real virtues when layed out mathematically.

My question is this: 1) What is your favorite setup and why? (Also, how much should it cost) and 2) Would you recommend it to someone who has no interest in anything deeper than 100' warm water , rec limit diving?

If you have used both jacket style BCD's and BP/W, and prefer jacket style, please throw in your .02 too...

There is copius quantities of BackPlate related info here on SB, the suggestion to search is a good one.

Having said that the key reasons I prefer a BP&W are;

The modular nature of the system. You can match the plate size, and material to the conditions you dive in. You can also match the wing to the conditions.

The range of adjustability. Nothing beats a Hogarthian Harness in terms of adjustability

Streamlined in the water.

Small Package for travel. Very compact very lightweight travel rigs are possible.

Grows with the diver, same basic back plate and harness can be used for single tank recreational diving, or with doubles, or doubles and a deco bottle, or doubles, stage(s) and deco bottles + a scooter. In other words if your dive training progresses you won't need BC after BC after BC, just the appropriate wing for the task.

Good resale value.

Accepted by all tech training agencies

You may not currently care about all these benefits, but even if you don't think today tech is in your future why not use a BC that's capable?

Tobin

 

[TSandM]

Would I recommend a BP/W for someone who wants to do no deeper than 100 foot, warm water diving? Well, since I dive a BP/W when I'm doing those dives, I guess that answers the question.

Some of the most enjoyable diving I've done was with the DSS Kydex plate and TTW 17 wing in Maui. It was the absolute minimum wing I could have and be safe; it was barely there, and I could vent from the inflator or the rear dump with equal ease. I felt as though I was wearing almost nothing in the way of gear (the tank is unavoidable ).

Comes apart for packing, weighs very little, and is extremely comfortable. What's not to like?

 

[dsteding]

The only thing better than a BP/W in a drysuit is the same rig when diving in warm, clear water in Maui. I was using my LCD 30 and steel plate on my last trip (also had a Kydex/TTW17 setup with me, but the steel plate was working so well I didn't use it-you were right Tobin . . . ).

Can't go wrong with a BP/W, and I'd take a serious look at Deep Sea Supply, very nicely put together rigs.

 

[CompuDude]

Hmm.

Tougher.

Easier to repair should something manage to go wrong. (Or, at worst, depending on the problem, the same to repair)

Less weight on the belt.

They put the weight over your lungs, so plates are easier to perfect trim.

There are many more...

 

[Colliam7]

1) What is your favorite setup and why? (Also, how much should it cost)?

My favorite set-up is a stainless steel plate, simple web harness (weight belt webbing) and a DR Rec Wing. Plate brand is not critical to me - I have a Dive Rite, an OMS and a homemade, all SS, and I am comfortable with all of them. The Rec Wing is not a highly regarded wing - 'not a great single wing', 'not a great doubles wing', 'lose the gussets', etc. but it works for me with a single HP120 and any of the plates. You can check costs at your LDS, through on-line suppliers (Dive Rite Express, for example), or on eBay. New is more than used (now there's a profound statement, I guess) and I have no problem with used. So, I paid less than $100 each for two of the plates, and the webbing, buckle and D-rings were about $25. The OMS came with a deluxe harness and was a bit more. The Rec Wing was under $200.

2) Would you recommend it to someone who has no interest in anything deeper than 100' warm water , rec limit diving?

I would definitely recommend BP/W for moderate warm water diving. I take mine to the quarry year-round (cold water), the NC coast in summer (warm water), the Carribean when I can afford to go (even warmer water). A BP and W travel great, BTW.

 

[Dive-aholic]

My question is this: 1) What is your favorite setup and why? (Also, how much should it cost) and 2) Would you recommend it to someone who has no interest in anything deeper than 100' warm water , rec limit diving?

I dive bp/w or a harness/wing system. The bp/w comes out during all non-teaching dives. I use the harness when I teach just because it's a little easier to demonstrate some of the skills to students in a manner they will be doing the skills. I dive Oxycheq wings (the best IMO). They're very steamlined, simple, but rugged wings. They are well balanced and pretty much everyone I've discussed this with that has tried Oxycheqs has a similar opinion. The bp/w set up runs about $400 or so, depending on the wing and plate you end up getting. For about the same amount you can get a harness system that's just as streamlined but designed more for the recreational diver than the technical diver. I recommend bp/w or harness/wing systems to everyone. Less clutter on your chest, more streamlined, less resistance when moving through the water, much more versatile that standard bcds.

 

[Nemrod]

I hate jacket BCs, I hate those cumberbunded pretend back inflates. They all feel like I am wallowing in a potato sack. As a long time user of wings and BPs since about 1978 it was the lack of front clutter and streamlining that attracted me to them and the ability to swim long distance on my back. Next to using no BC at all it is the lowest drag configuration with one exception, some horsecollars like the SeaTec and Dacor SeaChute and a few others offer lower drag--noticeably so in current even against a Mach V and mini plate. However, looking at the total concept of trim, drag, function, the wing/BP is generally the winner though the horsecollar is a close second in some regards. The fluff and puff back inflates and D ring festooned pretend like harness rigs with cumberbunds are horrid. The concept is missed by the manufactuers of these overpriced air bags--less is more, more function, less bulk.

N