BP/W - Manufacturers

[murph-diver]

BP's are pretty much all the same

 

[ae3753]

Who makes BP/W setups other than Halcyon, OMS, DiveRite and OxyCheq?

Zeagle makes a backplates as well.

 

[cool_hardware52]

BP's are pretty much all the same

I agree that most plates are very similar, form does follow function. I can't say I've seen a current plate that I would refuse to use, i.e. no "bad" plates that I know of, and of course many examples of very nice plates can be cited.

The differences between one plate and another plate are much smaller than between any BP/W and most other BCD's.

This does not mean however that all plates are the same, and that specific needs aren't better met by one vs another.


Regards,



Tobin George

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

BP's are pretty much all the same

I tend to side with Tobin on this one. If you think they're all the same, lay a Dive Rite, Hoadley, Koplin, FredT, and Halcyon plate side-by-side. Note the differences in shape, finish, camband slots (or lack thereof), and channel depth.

BTW - I have all but the Hoadley currently sitting in my garage, so I've done just that.

For doubles, most of these differences won't matter. For a singles application, some of them can ... in fact ... impact your performance and satisfaction. It matters when considering what style of wing and cylinder you want to marry to the plate to achieve the optimal balance and trim.

I currently have a friend who wants to trade out his Halcyon plate for a FredT based strictly on the differences ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[darylm74]

I currently have a friend who wants to trade out his Halcyon plate for a FredT based strictly on the differences ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

This is interesting. I received the information from FredT yesterday and will be evaluating it. What kind of difference did your friend note that makes him want to go with FredT's design over the Halcyon?

The one thing I can think of with FredT's designs is he has probably sat down and configured them with common sense instead of a think-tank over-analyzing the situation, which often happens with a company (too many hands in the cookie jar).

As for the wing I believe it is between Halcyon and Oxycheq at the moment. They seem to be the best built.

 

[MechDiver]

This is interesting. I received the information from FredT yesterday and will be evaluating it. What kind of difference did your friend note that makes him want to go with FredT's design over the Halcyon?

The one thing I can think of with FredT's designs is he has probably sat down and configured them with common sense instead of a think-tank over-analyzing the situation, which often happens with a company (too many hands in the cookie jar).

As for the wing I believe it is between Halcyon and Oxycheq at the moment. They seem to be the best built.

Fred's plates are more versatile, as he has holes and slots all over the place. He also makes different thicknesses and lengths, which Halycon does not. Overall design is very similiar however.
I have Halcyon, Koplin (Oxycheq) and FredT. They all work fine.

MD

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

This is interesting. I received the information from FredT yesterday and will be evaluating it. What kind of difference did your friend note that makes him want to go with FredT's design over the Halcyon?

The overall shape is more curved, and the channel is deeper. In this case, my friend (who posts here, BTW, and could probably answer better himself) is looking to get his cylinder a bit further away from his back ... it's so close he cannot position it without getting whacked in the head with the tank valve.

I have Halcyon, Koplin (Oxycheq) and FredT. They all work fine.

I own DiveRite, Koplin, and FredT ... and have tried the Hoadley and Halcyon ... and they do all work fine. But they're not all exactly the same. That's the only point I was bringing up.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[The Kraken]

NW,
If he needs a custom built STA tell him to give me a shout.

 

[Potapko]

Who makes BP/W setups other than Halcyon, OMS, DiveRite and OxyCheq? I am primarily looking for DIR compliant gear and have gotten a lot of different opinions about non-Halcyon gear being DIR compliant as well as I would like to shop around and wondering if there are any vendors I am missing.

Thanks

Daryl

Here is where I bought my gear in Europe. This guy is known in cave diving circles (I think) and makes a DIR compliant set-up. Great deal for just over $400 complete. Here is a link to his page. All in Czech I am afraid :0
http://www.planteko.cz/sbd/vyroba.html

 

[CALI68]

NW,
If he needs a custom built STA tell him to give me a shout.

Definately! The Kracken made me an awesome custom STA for use with my E Series Pressed Steel 80. Fits like a glove and puts the tank in perfect position when the bottom of it touches the tank boot. Very cool and well made!