BP/W vs. Other BC types....

[RonFrank]

One mans opinion.

I dive both a BP/W, AND :shocked2: a Zeagle Stiletto. I dive the BP/W dry, and the Stiletto is my warm water BC.

Do BP/W's dive better than any other BC? No, my BP/W is very similar to my Zeagle Stiletto. Back inflate BC's feel very similar, regardless of type. Some BP's secure a tank better than *SOME* Back Inflate BC's on the market.

Is Weight integration evil? The first thing a prospective BP user may discover is that they need one of them there weight belts! IMO weight belts are a PITA. I dive one with my BP, but I like the Stiletto better in the weight integration department. There are some really good weight systems out there, like the DUI weight harness. They tend to be a bit pricey (over $100 new).

Are BP/W's less expensive? No, in fact they cost about as much as a BC, and come complete with a lot less features. One has to purchase a weight system or weight belt, and pockets (if desired). Purchasing components separately is generally more expensive vs. buying a BP/W setup in a package.

Do BP/W's fix trim? Trim is about Weight placement, Tank placement, and the diver. Anyone who instantly says that a BP fixes trim is confusing weight placement, and tank placement with a particular type of equipment. BP's distribute weight across the back, and depending on the amount, that can be very helpful with trim. However one can accomplish the same thing using tank weights, or by creative weight placement on a BC.

Does A BP/W system makes one a better diver? The only thing that makes someone a better diver is diving. Good equipment selection can help, but does nothing magical.

Is a BP/W less equipment intensive? No, in fact just the opposite. At a minimum a BP/W diver generally needs a weight belt. That means two pieces of gear to one compared to a weight integrated BC. If one wants pockets, that is a third set of requirements. Some argue that because the system is modular, that the components are interchangeable, and will require less stuff to build multiple setups. While that is true, most tech divers own a LOT more equipment vs. rec divers, so the whole "less equipment" argument kinda fly's out the window.

When is a BP/W a good choice? If one wants to do doubles, there is no better solution. If one wants must carry a lot of weight (Drysuit diving/cold water diving/thick exposure protection) a steel Back Plate and STA can take 12lbs+ off the belt. Weight distribution when diving dry is the only reason I chose a BP/W.

Are traditional style BC's more comfortable? In general I'd say yes, or at least topside. Once in the water my BP/W is very comfortable, but a bit less so walking it about. However the beauty of the BP/W is one can add things as needed, and if one decides they NEED a big lumbar pad, or padding between the back/BP, that can be done.

Ironically a good number of recreational dives on SB are VERY strong advocates of the BP/W system. Many with less than 100 dives (often LT 50) are VERY opinionated on the subject, and honestly, I have no idea why? Many/Most of these folks have very little experience with more than one BC.

Why is this such emotional subject? I have no clue... it is JUST DIVE GEAR!

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Well, I'm going to be honest, the reason I take this particular issue to heart is because I'm in the back plate business. But I'm in the plate business because of my disatisfaction with all the other products out there including the BP/W I was using at the time.
I don't know if my opinion should even count because being a minimalist and a rogue I don't really fit into any category (lunatic maybe?) I'm part modern, part vintage, but definitely not mainstream.
I realize now that people are going to use what they use based on their exposure. I'm sure there are isolated people in the world that have never even heard of BP/W and have been using jackets their whole diving life and are doing just fine.
Some people dive a jacket and think it's fine till they try a plate and it opens up a whole new world.
One thing people don't like is to be force fed an idea. People need to be ready and have leverage on themselves to make a change if in fact they see a need to make a change.
People don't like to be ridiculed about a purchase that they though long and hard about and spent money on to be told that they are idiots for buying what they did. There will be a debate every time over this.

When scuba first started I don't think there were these violent debates. There was no internet to camp out on and discuss this stuff to death. Everybody got along and generally was using all the same stuff. Now there is all sorts of different stuff out there and everybody wants to be right. If you think this thread or any other thread will solve the issue, there's just going to be another one behind it about the same thing with the same opinions. It will never end.
Look at freediving, there are a lot less debates over gear simply because there is less gear to have debates over. Generally everybody is using the same stuff.

I'm over it.
If someone wants one of my plates, cool, I'll set them up, but I find that arguing on the internet is nothing but a huge waste of time.