BP/Wing combo question.

[atlas750]

I am moving from a BCD to a BP/Wing. I have found a couple of packages that fit my budget and needs. I am not sure which to choose. Most of my diving is with a single AL 80, a 3mm full wet suit in fresh water. I do some travel.

1.Dive Rite AL backplate, oxycheq Mach 5 30 # Wing, Oxycheq hog harness

2. HOG AL backplate, HOG 32 # wing, and HOG hog harness

3. HOG AL backplate, HOG 32 # wing, Hollis solo harness.

Thanks for the input.

 

[PerroneFord]

Option 1. But I'd suggest a steel backplate. Especially with an AL80 tank.

 

[ucfdiver]

I've been hearing the HOG gear is a great bargain.

I agree with perrone, SS for an AL80.

 

[IceBergSlim]

Yep. With a single Al80 the SS plate is going to suit you better.

 

[Nathyne]

obviously these people (ill refrain from saying idiots as only 90% of them are) did not see that you travel for sure go with aluminum or plastic for sure. as for backplates and wings ive always leaned towards halcyon doesnt have all the useless holes etc for random junk. but if you get the HOG stuff id ditch the tangle knobs

 

[PerroneFord]

obviously these people (ill refrain from saying idiots as only 90% of them are) did not see that you travel...

Or, it could be that we did see that he travels, and feel the extra 3 pound weight penalty over an aluminum plate that would obviate the need for a weightbelt is worth the tradeoff.

Or maybe we are just idiots...

 

[ianr33]

obviously these people (ill refrain from saying idiots as only 90% of them are) did not see that you travel for sure go with aluminum or plastic for sure. as for backplates and wings ive always leaned towards halcyon doesnt have all the useless holes etc for random junk. but if you get the HOG stuff id ditch the tangle knobs

You have as much charm as that other guy on here from Alberta.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I agree, a SS plate makes sense even for a traveling diver. I'd much rather cut 3 lbs elsewhere (not hard on a tropical trip) and dive a SS plate if I was only going to have one plate and harness.

 

[RAWalker]

If you are traveling,
not all of it tropical,
and you can only have 1 plate.
Then consider that you can add weight to an aluminum plate but you can't remove it from a stainless steel plate.
As for plastic, ABS or Kydex I'd be willing to bet in real world use and travels the Aluminum would last longer without damage.
I own a SS and an AL plate and their is a 4.5 lb weight difference on my OMS plates. Another 2.5 lbs for the STA which I can do without if I use my Oxycheq 30# wing.
and it will allow me to dive much more diverse conditions than just warm water.
My first plate choice if I were starting from scratch would be aluminum.

 

[TSandM]

Especially with a 3 mil suit, I've never had any problem making the weight allowances with a SS plate. And I need two pounds with SS and a 3 mil suit (and more with a 5 mil) and I haven't yet found any water outside of a hot tub that I will spend an hour in without any kind of wetsuit.