BP&W

[Joshua Diemer]

Hi I’m going to buy an BP&W and was wondering what the difference between the DiveRite XT and the DiveRite EXP is and if there’s an advantage to one over the other? Also can someone walk me through the whole process of what do I choose steel or aluminum backing stuff like that??

 

[tbone1004]

XT has a more durable outer cover, but it's not worth it IMO.

Steel vs. Ali. Most people need steel, if you are wearing less than 4lbs of lead in your current setup, you need a lighter plate but if you're staying with Dive Rite I'd go with the skeleton SS plate vs. aluminum.

 

[Joshua Diemer]

XT has a more durable outer cover, but it's not worth it IMO.

Steel vs. Ali. Most people need steel, if you are wearing less than 4lbs of lead in your current setup, you need a lighter plate but if you're staying with Dive Rite I'd go with the skeleton SS plate vs. aluminum.

I’m usually diving 14lbs with an aluminum 80 and 4lbs with a steel 100 this is all while wearing a 3 mil full wetsuit

 

[Bubblesong]

Finding out the exact weight of your choices in backplates could help, for example my husband’s medium SS Freedom Contour plate is 5lbs, but some SS backplates are 8-10lbs.

 

[icechip]

+1 on Bubblesong's point about different weights of SS plates. My Hollis SS is 6lbs. BP/Ws really help cut down on carrying lead up here in New England waters. I was able to eliminate my weight belt, opted instead for two Zeagle weight pouches on the plate.

 

[tbone1004]

I’m usually diving 14lbs with an aluminum 80 and 4lbs with a steel 100 this is all while wearing a 3 mil full wetsuit

if you're staying with dive rite, go to a standard SS plate

 

[gcarter]

I’m usually diving 14lbs with an aluminum 80 and 4lbs with a steel 100 this is all while wearing a 3 mil full wetsuit

You are probably overweighted with the AL80 - there is not that much of a weight swing between an AL80 and a steel 100.