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

[xiSkiGuy]

I'm a recreational diver who currently uses a Scubapro Superhawk NT back inflator BC. As I'm sure has happened to many frequenters of Scubaboard, I've become curious with a BP/W setup. The modularity and ability to one day do doubles is appealing. So a few weeks ago I tried a BP/W for the 1st time. It was a Deep Outdoor SS Backplate and Deep Outdoor Wing (I recall a label affixed to the wing rated the lift at 40lbs, which doesn't seem to match any of their wings on their website) with an OMS STA and a continuous webbing harness. I loved the stability of the tank and the easy horizontal trim. I didn't care for the harness, the lack of a firm handle to grip the setup with, the way air shifted around in the wing, or how I had to change my position in the water to vent air.

I want to continue to explore getting a BP/W, but I think I'll need a few features to be happy with it:
1) No continuous webbing harness: I understand the benefits, but I want easier and quicker adjustment and better padding. Online I've seen the OMS IQ Pack, the Dive-Rite Trans-Plate, and the Deep Outdoors Matrix. Any thoughts on these systems? Any others to consider?
2) Shoulder Dump on the Wing: I've been spoiled with two shoulder dumps on my Scubapro. Going vertical to use the inflator hose dump or pitching head down to use the rear dump didn't appeal to me. It looks like Dive-Rite uses an inflator hose pull dump in some of their wings. I recall seeing a shoulder dump on some OMS wings. Thoughts on these wings or others to consider?
3)Handle: My Scubapro has a handle built into the plastic back "reinforcement". It is very convenient for lifting the BC out of the water, into the truck, etc. I've seen the Hammerhead Backplates with the handle built in. Any thoughts?

How do I avoid the air shifting I experienced in the Deep Outdoors wing? A bladder that is 0 shaped rather than inverted U shaped? Bungies? A smaller bladder?

Thanks for the input.

 

[BabyDuck]

from my extremely limited experience, i can answer a few of these. the deluxe harness has quick releases that you might like. my halcyon has a strap that works as a handle. smaller and 'o' shaped is what i've seen advocated for singles. being horizontal, you shouldn't have to really go head down, but rather roll a bit to get the air near the dump & dump from the horizontal position.

how'd i do, more experienced folks?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I'm a recreational diver who currently uses a Scubapro Superhawk NT back inflator BC. As I'm sure has happened to many frequenters of Scubaboard, I've become curious with a BP/W setup. The modularity and ability to one day do doubles is appealing. So a few weeks ago I tried a BP/W for the 1st time. It was a Deep Outdoor SS Backplate and Deep Outdoor Wing (I recall a label affixed to the wing rated the lift at 40lbs, which doesn't seem to match any of their wings on their website) with an OMS STA and a continuous webbing harness. I loved the stability of the tank and the easy horizontal trim. I didn't care for the harness, the lack of a firm handle to grip the setup with, the way air shifted around in the wing, or how I had to change my position in the water to vent air.

I want to continue to explore getting a BP/W but I think I'll need a few features to be happy with it:
1) No continuous webbing harness: I understand the benefits, but I want easier and quicker adjustment and better padding. Online I've seen the OMS IQ Pack, the Dive-Rite Trans-Plate, and the Deep Outdoors Matrix. Any thoughts on these systems? Any others to consider?
2) Shoulder Dump on the Wing: I've been spoiled with two shoulder dumps on my Scubapro. Going vertical to use the inflator hose dump or pitching head down to use the rear dump didn't appeal to me. It looks like Dive-Rite uses an inflator hose pull dump in some of their wings. I recall seeing a shoulder dump on some OMS wings. Thoughts on these wings or others to consider?
3)Handle: My Scubapro has a handle built into the plastic back "reinforcement". It is very convenient for lifting the BC out of the water, into the truck, etc. I've seen the Hammerhead Backplates with the handle built in. Any thoughts?

How do I avoid the air shifting I experienced in the Deep Outdoors wing? A bladder that is 0 shaped than inverted U shaped? Bungies? A smaller bladder?

Thanks for the input.

Are you sure the Deep Outdoors wing you used was built for singles, rather than doubles?

I currently use a Deep Outdoors 40-lb wing on my doubles rig. The one time I tried using it as a singles wing (when I first got it), the thing was very unstable. On the other hand, it's rock-solid with my doubles attached.

Gotta get the right tool for the job ... if you're diving a singles config, make sure you're using a wing designed for singles.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Doc Intrepid]

from my extremely limited experience, i can answer a few of these. the deluxe harness has quick releases that you might like. my halcyon has a strap that works as a handle. smaller and 'o' shaped is what i've seen advocated for singles. being horizontal, you shouldn't have to really go head down, but rather roll a bit to get the air near the dump & dump from the horizontal position.

how'd i do, more experienced folks?

you done good, Marci!

Tell'im which 'deluxe' harness you own though...

 

[BabyDuck]

the deluxe one-piece with deluxe circular webbing protectors and deluxe bent d-rings! oh, and a one-inch crotch strap for that oh-so-thong feel.

 

[redacted]

One warning so you will not be surprised.

When I converted from my Seaquest jacket with pull dump to BP/W I also wanted to keep the pull dump (and my air2). I went with a Diverite wing but DR, OMS and most of the other wing manufacturers use the same supplier for the elbow/ shoulder dump valve. I was surprised at how much more difficult it was to pull the DR shoulder dump. It is a reliable valve but required a hard pull so there was no fine bouyancy adjustments thru the shoulder dump. It wasn't long before I realized that I quickly stopped using the pull dump entirely. The good news is that the plain elbow is available for about $10.

And, yeah - I retired the air2 also. It really wasn't that bad for recreational diving. It just wasn't that good either and was interfering with a slung pony.

 

[BabyDuck]

i could never get my mares shoulder dump to work, anyway, so not having one wasn't an adjustment.

 

[xiSkiGuy]

Are you sure the Deep Outdoors wing you used was built for singles, rather than doubles?

I currently use a Deep Outdoors 40-lb wing on my doubles rig. The one time I tried using it as a singles wing (when I first got it), the thing was very unstable. On the other hand, it's rock-solid with my doubles attached.

Gotta get the right tool for the job ... if you're diving a singles config, make sure you're using a wing designed for singles.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I rented the setup from a LDS. It wasn't something they normally have in rentals. I think it might have been a return of some sort. All of that is to say that the wing may have been the wrong size for singles. It might explain why it was returned. . .

 

[xiSkiGuy]

the deluxe one-piece with deluxe circular webbing protectors and deluxe bent d-rings! oh, and a one-inch crotch strap for that oh-so-thong feel.

Who makes it?

 

[BabyDuck]

dive rite. i got it at scubatoys. it's the non-deluxe version, just one long piece of webbing with a grommet and some circular webbing protectors. i'm really liking it, though.