BP/W or Computer?

[boomx5]

Ok, looking at your profile it seems like you want to take some GUE training, so I would opt for a bp&wing and a bottom timer. I dive Nitrox all the time as do a lot of other people I know and never use a Nitrox computer. Also, learning how easy it is to do this stuff in your head (it's not rocket science) is very liberating and gives you a lot of freedom. If you want to know a bit more about multilevel dives without a computer, please visit Uncle Pug's thread on the matter. However, the internet is probably the worst place to learn how to dive and should never be a substitute for proper training.

I would also ask for a DIR-F class for my birthday if I where you since that will help get you going in the direction it appears you would liek to go. If you would like a name of a GUE instructor in your area who teaches a DIR-F class, just PM me and I'll see if I can help.

Good luck,

 

[StSomewhere]

Humor, people, it was a joke! Note the Sheesh!

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Who cares, call Hollywood Divers in LA, they will set you up with a BP/W at a cost that will allow you to buy the computor too...........have fun. Don't be too much in a hurry to drink from the kool-aid fountain.

On their website it looks like the standard prices, but I'll send them an email or call them, maybe they will deal a little more in person.

I was looking on the 5thD website, and their prices for normal stuff like WetNotes is crazy! Which led me to check the COVCI site, and brought back a conflict to my mind....'H' or Oxy?

Here's what I came up with doing a little checking...by building a BP/W using a FredT AL backplate and harness kit, and a 30# Oxy SS wing, the price would be $549. The 30# Eclipse full system is listed at $595.

Some of the differences I've noticed is by using a FredT or a Koplin plate I can get it in extra-long size. That sounds like a good thing to me (I'm 6'1), but is having a non-standard plate a possibly bad thing?

Kind of on a side note about pockets. I'm not quite ready to glue a pocket onto my wetsuit, so I was looking at the X-Pocket. It fits kind of like a drop-down holster, with a loop around the waist strap of the harness, and a larger strap around your thigh. How well do these work? In that pocket I would want to store a spool, DSMB, WetNotes, and shears.

thanks again...sorry if my questions are out of order and illogically worded.

 

[boomx5]

On their website it looks like the standard prices, but I'll send them an email or call them, maybe they will deal a little more in person.

I was looking on the 5thD website, and their prices for normal stuff like WetNotes is crazy! Which led me to check the COVCI site, and brought back a conflict to my mind....'H' or Oxy?

Here's what I came up with doing a little checking...by building a BP/W using a FredT AL backplate and harness kit, and a 30# Oxy SS wing, the price would be $549. The 30# Eclipse full system is listed at $595.

Some of the differences I've noticed is by using a FredT or a Koplin plate I can get it in extra-long size. That sounds like a good thing to me (I'm 6'1), but is having a non-standard plate a possibly bad thing?

Kind of on a side note about pockets. I'm not quite ready to glue a pocket onto my wetsuit, so I was looking at the X-Pocket. It fits kind of like a drop-down holster, with a loop around the waist strap of the harness, and a larger strap around your thigh. How well do these work? In that pocket I would want to store a spool, DSMB, WetNotes, and shears.

thanks again...sorry if my questions are out of order and illogically worded.

A couple of things here. AG is 6'5" and wears a standard sized plate so going to a longer plate is really not necessary. Also, I'm 6' and I wear a standard plate so in my opinion there is not really any need for a longer plate...it's not going to accomplish anything.

I also would look at the X-Shorts as an option if you want pockets. I know several people who use them as opposed to glueing pockets on their suit and they seem to like them. Oh, and get some X-Notes since the wetnotes always end up falling apart.

I would also shop around for a bp&wing setup. Call Dolphin Scuba here in Sacramento and ask for Patrick. Dolphin carries Halcyon, Dive-Rite, OMS and OxyCheq and they are pretty competative. Personally, I'm partial to the Halcyon stuff and I think it's well made. However, I also know people who really like their OxyCheq stuff.

 

[Jason B]

You can get a dive rite stainless steel BP from scuba toys for $103.

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BackPlate

Jason

 

[ZoCrowes255]

Get what you feel you would get more use out of. Do you have a functional BC that actually fits. One of the big problems I have seen is that there are a LOT of people with ill fitting BCs. If it fits then keep it for a while and get a computer that will help you to accomplish the types of dives that you want to do.

And yes I do own a BP/Wing

 

[Wreck]

The BP/W will probably help with your trim thereby reducing drag and air consumption. Computer won't do that.
I see in your profile you plan on getting into trimix. I'd definitely hold on the computer as you will certainly want a different one at that point. The BP/W will still be good to go regardless of what gas you dive.
Jason

One problem with the wing.. he was shooting for a 30#, which is fine with a single steel tank. I dive with that exact setup right now. But if he's planning to use doubles (transitioning to tech?) he should realize he'll need a bigger wing (45-55#) for those.

I would sell that BC while it's still worth something and use its money to help pay for a BP&W. That $550 price seemed a little too steep for that setup - it's identical to wha tI just bought a couple months ago. $230 for the wing at COVCI, $75 for the finished plate, $65 STAs, $64 2x SuperCinch buckles (and I *HIGHLY* recommend those) and just buy a SS buckle, several yards of webbing, and pick up some toothed tri-glides and D-rings ($3 a pair -ReefScuba) to finish it out. That's less than $500 with shipping. I made the switch to the same BP&W setup you are looking at, and I loved it more than I knew I would. The SS hardware Fred throws in is OK, but if you go DIR, they don't look to kindly on Billy rings yet (or so I've heard) and Fred's D-rings are nice but square-edged (punched from high-grade SS sheet steel) as opposed to the smooth round of D-rings you usually see in the LDS. Flat metal rings lie flat and can make it difficult (with gloves) to pull them away from the webbing (the reason for bent D-rings).

Computers are continually being upgraded. Like most electronics, they get cheaper the longer you wait. Murphy's Law says the one computer you buy you will soon outgrow.

 

[PaulChristenson]

Here's what I came up with doing a little checking...by building a BP/W using a FredT AL backplate and harness kit, and a 30# Oxy SS wing, the price would be $549. The 30# Eclipse full system is listed at $595.
.

what you are interested in is the Eclipse MC System, includes wing BP/harness and SS single tank Adp. $595,, your price is $495+20 to ship. let me know, Bob

bob.kelley@worldnet.att.net

Well that is what he quoted me...

Paul in VT

 

[teknitroxdiver]

$495 for the Eclipse? Wow, nice pricing. I'm guessing that's a quote from this Bob Kelley fellow that you wrote there? Sounds like a really good buy. What shop is Bob with?

thanks a bundle

 

[PaulChristenson]

$495 for the Eclipse? Wow, nice pricing. I'm guessing that's a quote from this Bob Kelley fellow that you wrote there? Sounds like a really good buy. What shop is Bob with?

thanks a bundle

I haven't a clue...I got a private message on this board about a set of Halcyon wings being auctioned on eBay, but the picture showed a whole rig, so I asked the question and this was his response

Paul in VT
OMS, Halcyon, Dive-Rite they are all about the same as I dive for a snow bank