BP/W question (yes, another one. . .)

[xiSkiGuy]

If you took the hardpack out of your Nighthawk (if it is the kind that comes out), you might find a backpack that could be converted to a stable backpack..

I've wondered about that. Anybody ever try to add a BP to an existing BCD?

 

[xiSkiGuy]

Try the tank valve.

Maybe I should have phrased the question more along the lines of: "What do people think of the Hammerhead BPs, especially the built in handle?

 

[kazinvan]

I have a hammerhead plate and Halcyon wing. I got the plate without the handles, I don't see why you need them. The wing has a built in handle, plus you can always grab the harness. Either work well.

The plate is high quality, I recommend it.

 

[teknitroxdiver]

I carry my stuff around by the tank valve, mainly because my DSS rig is held together with little rubber tabs that I think would pull out if I carried it around with a tank by holding on to the harness. I'm contemplating putting bolts in, if so then either way would be golden. No need for handles in the backplate. Besides, a thin AL plate with a steel 130 would be awfully 'cutting' on your fingers, dontcha think

 

[StSomewhere]

Maybe I should have phrased the question more along the lines of: "What do people think of the Hammerhead BPs, especially the built in handle?

DrRobb showed me his Hammerhead plate with built-in handles this spring, his advice was not to try and pick up the plate by the built-in handles if a tank was attached, as you'll just cut your hands, gloves, etc. Its apparently a solution looking for a problem.

 

[Mandy3206]

I got a OMS #45 bungied bladder, and added a Dive Rite pull dump assbly, works like a Swiss Clock and don't have any complaints about it's performance.
In fact, the only thing I missed from the Jacket Style BCDs, was the Pull Shoulder Dump Valve, I hated the plain elbow that came with my rig.

Also the Deluxe Harness from OMS is rugged and easy to get in and out, adjustments due to changes in exposure protection can be performed with a the chest strap, for extra confort, I added the neoperene pads that should proove necesary when not wearing exposure protection.

I allways use the tank valve to carry the rig when the tank is installed, and the shoulder straps when the tank is off, I don't miss the handle that I used when using jacket style.

 

[wunat]

Thanks to everyone who has responded and PMed me with recommendations. I'd still like to hear from some others who have used harnesses other than the continuous webbing. Any TransPlate users, IQ Pack users or Matrix users out there? Any one use the OMS wings with the shoulder dump? Hammerhead plates?

I have been using TransPlate for a while. Pretty nice indeed. Makes getting in and out of the BC easy. You should be familiar with it immediately as they are not different from how conventional jacket style or back inflation BC are.

I have just replaced it with a continuous webbing coz I am heading toward DIR.

All in all, it certainly makes a good choice.

 

[xiSkiGuy]

DrRobb showed me his Hammerhead plate with built-in handles this spring, his advice was not to try and pick up the plate by the built-in handles if a tank was attached, as you'll just cut your hands, gloves, etc. Its apparently a solution looking for a problem.

That's what I needed to know. Thanks!

 

[xiSkiGuy]

I got a OMS #45 bungied bladder, and added a Dive Rite pull dump assbly, works like a Swiss Clock and don't have any complaints about it's performance.
In fact, the only thing I missed from the Jacket Style BCDs, was the Pull Shoulder Dump Valve, I hated the plain elbow that came with my rig.

Was it a simple swap out? Did you just replace the elbow or did you replace the whole inflator/deflator assembly?

 

[alo100]

> Maybe I should have phrased the question more along the lines of: "What do people
> think of the Hammerhead BPs, especially the built in handle?

Pro's and Con's about the handle.
I looked at the picture of the plate with handle... only think I can think of why I don't want the feature is: if corrosion ever happen, pointed edges introduce corrosion (like the pointed finger grips designed at the handle), where does this idea come from? Chemistry class. If nobody has seen any corrosion happen on BP then that's another story...