BP/W & Reg for Monterey + Travel

[Thrutch]

Diving Lake Tahoe in a wetsuit sounds like absolute misery to me.

I dive a drysuit year round, but I've got a buddy who's diving wet right now. It's in the low 60s until you hit the thermocline, which is around 70' down at the moment.

Most anywhere in Tahoe the OP would be diving will be similar temperatures to Monterey if not warmer.

Often true, but definitely depends on the time of year. We bottom out at 39° around February and run to Monterey for warmer water. You'll pretty much always get into the low 40s at depth, even when it's nearly 70° on the surface.

 

[lostsheep]

I dive a drysuit year round, but I've got a buddy who's diving wet right now. It's in the low 60s until you hit the thermocline, which is around 70' down at the moment.


Often true, but definitely depends on the time of year. We bottom out at 39° around February and run to Monterey for warmer water. You'll pretty much always get into the low 40s at depth, even when it's nearly 70° on the surface.

I bet it’s even colder at the SS Tahoe but the OP is going to need a few more dives before he needs to worry about it.

 

[runsongas]

get the dgx bpw and pick up a cheap aluminum plate off aliexpress for traveling.

DGX Custom - DGX Gears Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing + DGX Gears XTRA Reg Package

Our five-star DGX Gears Harness / Backplate / Wing and our top-shelf DGX Gears XTRA regulator together in a package for streamlined open water single tank diving at a streamlined price.

www.divegearexpress.com

service is easiest on scubapro in the area, but the dive shops aren't quick or good about it mostly. getting dive rite or d6 is fine if you don't mind getting it to rsingler or want to learn to DIY later.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

You can also get an aluminum plate and put a 5lb weight pocket on each cam band. On opposite sides. You can turn that 2lb al plate into anything from 6 to 12 lbs doing that.
And a 30-35lb wing is enough lift for any single cylinder except maybe the old Heisers. I personally went with 32lbs of lift in the HOG wings.

 

[NewScubaDude]

Thank you all for your thoughtful replies. This is perfect info to chew on that I appreciate.

 

[suricatasuricata]

That argument can also be used to justify a steel plate. Pair that with a 30 lb wing and you'd be golden for single-tank recreational diving, even in cold water.

Size the harness for cold water, and that will work for warm as well. The waist belt provides the stability, not the shoulder straps. Those *should* be loose.

Re-read my comment. I wasn't saying that the space saving was a good justification to buy one plate or the other. I am saying that is not a good justifcation.

 

[jellycatsdad]

I dive Monterey with a 27lb lift wing on an aluminum backplate(Tusa T-Wing) and older Mares regs(MR42T + Proton Metal). So far, so good and having a diaphragm first stage(vs. the piston firsts Scubapro and Atomic are very proud of) means not having to worry as much over contamination. Monastery sand’s no joke.

If I had to start over - especially if I’m going to dive dry eventually, it’s going to be a SS backplate with a bigger(35-40lb) wing and either Scubapro G260/MK19(or MK17) or Deep6 Signature regs.

 

[Ty Hamby]

After reading everyone's responses, I feel like I chose wisely for my first rig after my OW cert. I purchased the DiveRite transplate Xt lite, EXP wing, Deep 6 signature 1st and 2nd stage regs. These are about the only items I have that I did not replace with something else almost immediately. I wanted to go with companies that supported divers first and dive shops second. It bugs me to listen to people struggle for parts for gear they own outright, because the mfg only sells parts to authorized service centers. Bonkers!

 

[hfx]

Appreciate the update, I'm looking to dive in Monterey as well and finding it hard to decide on the right gear.

 

[hfx]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but what thickness suit are people wearing in Monterey? I'm considering the Hollis 8/7/6 semi-dry that seems to be on sale right now, or is a regular 7 mil with just the hood or a hooded vest combo a better option?