BP/W for Beginner?

[Locus]

I am fresh out of my OW and looking for my own gear. The owner of my LDS is recommending a Mares Hybrid or Dragon bcd that he's offering in a package deal with regs.

I'm reading here on scubaboard that BP/W is a superior setup but that it is difficult for a beginner to learn on. Is that true? I consider myself to be pretty proficient in the water given my experience level, and I dont want to lay a pile of money down on a hybrid if I'm just going to want to switch to BP/W in a year or two. Am I being realistic? And if BP/W is so much better, why is there such a push to sell jacket bcds?

Also, is it more difficult to go inverted with a BP/W setup? I love to hang out upside down so this is a factor for me.

 

[rhwestfall]

BP/W is a superior setup (some feel that, some don't) but that it is difficult for a beginner to learn on (freaking BS - its more like someone who doesn't understand one can't help you set it up correctly, of even better, can't make a profit off a sale if they don't have them)

UGH! See if you can find a mentor who has used one.... its not rocket science, and if you are patient, you might be able to figure it out on your own with help from around here....

 

[buddhasummer]

Congratulations on your OW.

The short answer is it is not difficult to set up a BP/W if you can't find someone local to help you there is lots if info online and numerous "how to" videos and the good folk on Scubaboard are always willing to assist.

It is not difficult to learn in, in fact I found it easier than my previous BC. It's no different in functionality than a standard BC and many, including me, find/found maintaining horizontal trim to be much easier.

And no it is not difficult to invert either, I too like hanging upside down and have zero problems doing so in my BP/W.

Others are sure to chime in, feel free to ask away. Good luck.

 

[Akimbo]

I don’t believe that “hard to learn” is a fair characterization, especially now that many BCDs are little more than a wing with a cummerbund and pockets (back inflate).

 

[Matt S.]

There is nothing different or difficult about a backplate rig, and there is no reason for you not to get one if you like.

If you get one that is unassembled, as in you have a roll of webbing and a bag of D-rings, then you need to learn to set it up. That isn't hard, though.

>And if BP/W is so much better, why is there such a push to sell jacket bcds?

I have no idea. I have heard some crazy stuff about backplates, like you have to be "brainwashed" to think they are better. Well, I had a top-of-the-like jacket BCD from a major manufacturer, and dumped it after trying a dive buddy's backplate rig once. YMMV.

 

[ams511]

Locus the first thing you need to learn is that a dive shop is a business. As a business, their interests and your interests will not always be the same. I would think they push BCDs for a number a reasons: First, the shop has more experience with BCDs. Second, BCDs are more profitable to sell. Third, BCDs are divable, right out of the box and require no setup. Fourth, it is hard to up-sell on a BP/W. Finally, the dive shop may not be a dealer for such equipment.

A backplate and wing are no more difficult to learn on than a normal BC. You do need to spend some time setting them up properly. There is a recent thread explaining how.

Edit: Another thread

 

[KevWind]

From a new diver perspective I did my OW with the jacket style then did my AOW and 15 ocean dives with a wing type BC the Dive Right Travel Pac , I chose to purchase this one because I am mostly interested fly in, tropical diving, SCUBA Diving Equipment for Technical, Sidemount, Rebreather, Wreck and Cave Diving: Dive Rite, Inc - Product Catalog - TravelPac BCD Which is a wing style w/an integrated soft padded back ( no plate) although for more flexibility of options an actual wing and plate would be the ticket.

I dont know why someone would say a BP/w is "difficult for a beginner to learn on" in fact in my limited but beginner experience the opposite was true I found the wing quite easy to learn with. And I thought it had a bit less side to side roll tendencies. And no it makes no difference in terms of inverting.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

They are not necessarily superior; that would be difficult to quantify.

If you want one, get it.

In my opinion it is not difficult to teach yourself. I did, and so have most other divers, most likely.
It's no different that setting up any other BC for yourself.

Now for the tough decision.....which one.

I'll break it down for you:
1.) Buy the most expensive one.
2.) Buy the cheapest one you can find.
3.) Cobble your own together from different brand components.
4.) Buy the best.
5.) Buy the one I'm diving.

That will pretty much cover the response categories you will receive if you start a thread about which one to buy.

Your shop might get butt-hurt about it.

Cheers,
Mitch

 

[Jim Lapenta]

A BPW is a BC. Simple, rugged, infinitely adjustable, damn near infinitely customizable, and you fit it to you. Whoever says a BPW is hard to learn to dive in or set up has likely never used one. I sell BPW's I'd guess 10 to 1 over any other type of BC. I;d guess mostly because I explain how they truly are superior for a lot of people, how they do trim out easier, reduce the amount of lead you need to carry, and because I actually dive one 99% of the time. Most of the people, including shop owners, who try to talk you out of them do so out of ignorance. They've never sold one, set one up, or dived one. So they just don;t know and many will not even bother to find out. read this on my blog regarding them, Part one: Welcome to UDM Aquatic Services
Part two: Welcome to UDM Aquatic Services
Part three: Welcome to UDM Aquatic Services

Or shoot me your email via PM and I'll send the entire 8.5 meg version with pictures.

 

[buddhasummer]

A BPW is a BC. Simple, rugged, infinitely adjustable, damn near infinitely customizable, and you fit it to you. Whoever says a BPW is hard to learn to dive in or set up has likely never used one. I sell BPW's I'd guess 10 to 1 over any other type of BC. I;d guess mostly because I explain how they truly are superior for a lot of people, how they do trim out easier, reduce the amount of lead you need to carry, and because I actually dive one 99% of the time. Most of the people, including shop owners, who try to talk you out of them do so out of ignorance. They've never sold one, set one up, or dived one. So they just don;t know and many will not even bother to find out. read this on my blog regarding them, Part one: Welcome to UDM Aquatic Services
Part two: Welcome to UDM Aquatic Services
Part three: Welcome to UDM Aquatic Services

Or shoot me your email via PM and I'll send the entire 8.5 meg version with pictures.

Nice offer Jim.