bp/w or bcd

[dori fish]

Hi, i am looking to invest in my first buoyancy system and was wondering whether to go with an oms bp/w setup or scubapro knighthawk or seaquest black diamond
most of my diving is in the carribean on vacation i do, do some north east and need a lot f lift eventually tech gear plus still growing.
i have used a bp/w once before and loved it also use regular back inflate bcs and didn't really like it that much

 

[Jorgy]

I think you answered your own question.......

1. need a lot of lift
2. eventually tech gear
3. still growing
4. used a bp/w once before and loved it
5. used a regular back inflate bcs and didn't really like it

1. BP/W can have optimized lift (lots of wing choices)
2. Can be reconfigured for doubles (really only the plate, but that is a different post.........)
3. Easy to adjust, just buy more 2" webbing
4 and 5. Best advice ever, try before you buy and you did.......

My only caution is that BP/W's are not super one-size-fits-all applications BC's - what I mean is that your warm water Caribbean rig will probably not be your Northeast rig........

I use a AL BP with 18 lb wing for travel warm water diving.........
I use a SS BP with 36 lb wing for local cold water single tank diving........
I use a AL BP with 60 lb wing for my doubles.........

Hope this helps........M

 

[herman]

Welcome to the board Dori.
Looks like you have answered your own question, you tried it and liked it. Nothing else really matters.

Thanks to Jorgy for pointing out one of the big myths of BP/wings. While it's true they can be configured to match any diving need, what most BP proponents fail to address is the need for multiple backplates and wings for different applications. If a diver dives a wide range of conditions- doubles in cold water to warm single tank dives and wants to dive with the proper weighting and to be as streamlined and efficient as possible multiple BP and wings will be necessary.

 

[RJP]

My only caution is that BP/W's are not super one-size-fits-all applications BC's - what I mean is that your warm water Caribbean rig will probably not be your Northeast rig........

Why is that a "CAUTION"? The modularity of a BP/W is exactly why it's potentially a better solution, especially if the original poster goes down the tec route as he mentioned. With two wings and two BPs I've got exactly the right rig for any environment, singles or doubles, wet or dry, salt water or fresh. If the OP goes tec ultimately he's gonna need BP/W anyway, so why not start out there in the first place.

 

[RJP]

Welcome to the board Dori.
Looks like you have answered your own question, you tried it and liked it. Nothing else really matters.

Thanks to Jorgy for pointing out one of the big myths of BP/wings. While it's true they can be configured to match any diving need, what most BP proponents fail to address is the need for multiple backplates and wings for different applications. If a diver dives a wide range of conditions- doubles in cold water to warm single tank dives and wants to dive with the proper weighting and to be as streamlined and efficient as possible multiple BP and wings will be necessary.

Of course your comment is a bit ridiculous - and I say that with all love and affection - because in the situations you use to make your point about the "untold myths of BP/Ws" a traditional BCD would be of no use whatsover.

If a diver dives in a wide range of conditions they are going to need a wide range of buoyancy compensators - whether BCD or BP/W. Worst case scenario with BP/W you need one plate + a singles and a doubles wing.

If you are diving "doubles in cold water" you need a BP/W rig. The incremental cost of adding one singles wing can be considerably less than having to buy a whole new BCD for "warm water single tank dives." (Plus, which one will better allow you to have "proper weighting and be as streamlined and efficient as possible"?)

:cool2:

 

[WVMike]

i have used a bp/w once before and loved it also use regular back inflate bcs and didn't really like it that much

I see no confusion here, sounds like a no brainer. Go with the BP/W. You won't look back.

 

[Walter]

bp/w or bcd

A BP/wing is a BC.

 

[halocline]

Hey, this topic sounds interesting. Why hasn't it come up before?

Try a search, Dori. You'll be inundated. Or, to save yourself hundreds of hours spent reading, just go buy the BP/W.

 

[cool_hardware52]

most of my diving is in the carribean on vacation i do, do some north east and need a lot f lift eventually tech gear plus still growing.

You need the correct amount of lift. It would be a mistake IMO to buy a huge wing (or conventional bc) in anticipation of needing "a lot of lift for tech"

Most likely you will start with singles, and wing lift is primarily a function of the buoyancy of your exposure suit.

I would recommend against trying to buy a dual purpose wing, those sold as being usable for singles and doubles. These are way too big (ya that's a bad thing) for singles, and often not what you actually need if you do move to doubles.

If you like a specific recommendation let me know.

Tobin

 

[diver 85]

Looks like you answered your own question......