Yeah I know, I know another BP/Wing thread. Just what the board needs right? Well, deal with it anyway lol
Last summer I picked up an Oxycheq backplate w/ 45# wing and I think I have enough dives on it to write an experienced unbiased review. Just a little bit about my background. I am a fulltime instructor during the summer and a part-time instructor the rest of the year (I am a college student.) I have been around diving my whole life and have been lucky enough to have access to almost any piece of gear that I wanted. Having read the praises of the backplate and wing on the board I decided to pick one up. Since then I have had about 100 dives on it. I've used it in warm saltwater and cold freshwater (drysuit.) I've had it in the pool for classes and on pleasure and training dives. In the past I've used a Scubapro Knighthawk, Glide Plus, Classic Sport and S-Tek. I've also used a Sherwood Avid, Oceanic Contour and Oceanic Tour although not very often. One of the guys who helps me with classes uses a Halcyon Pioneer system so I had the chance to try one out before I made the plunge on mine.
First off I think the BP/Wing a great system. I am a big fan of keeping things simple and it does not get much simpler than this. No frills, no padding and no integrated weights. Just a harnass, three d-rings, wing and STA. The first thing I did upon receiving it and properly setting the sucker up was to replace the cam bands with Scubapro stainless steel-cinch locks. I think the plastic cam bands are worthless.
It took me two or three dives to really get comfortable with the BP. I was not a huge fan of the crotch strap at first but I've gotten used to it. I own a scooter and the D-ring on the CS has come in pretty handy with it. That being said after having gotten used to the BP/Wing setup I can honestly ask:
What is the big f'n deal?
Is it a good system? Yep, I liked it quite a bit. Pretty comfortable once I had it adjusted.
Is it any better than any of the other BCs that I own/have used? That is debatable. I think it is a very good system however once I am in the water I can tell very little difference between it and my Knighthawk. For some applications (photography) I found the Classic Sport to be a better BC.
In my opinion I think part of the BP/W deal is hype. Newer divers come on here see the praise and think "Hey, did I make the wrong purchase" blah blah blah and so on and so forth. They then purchase a BP/W and dive. Well, as you dive more you become a better diver. They then attribute that to the BP/W when in reality it is the diver coming to a better understanding of proper weighting and breath control in relation to buoyancy control . I am not saying this is everyone it is just an observation. Many of the biggest BP/Wing proponents on this board seem to be newer divers.
In my opinion a competent diver can easily make due with a garbage bag and a straw. Having a solid understanding of weighting, breathing and a good learning foundation is the key to being a good diver. The gear is secondary.
If you are a new diver who is having trouble with buoyancy control and trim get with an experienced diver who can show you the ropes and is obviously skilled at buoyancy and trim and places an emphasis on it. I have invited plenty of divers out with me on pleasure dives to give them a hand if they need it. I really appreciate all the divers who did it for me when I was still new at it and I try to do the same for others.
Note: Currely I only dive singles. This thread has nothing to do with BP/W use with doubles and sling tanks
Question, comments and snide remarks are welcome
Last summer I picked up an Oxycheq backplate w/ 45# wing and I think I have enough dives on it to write an experienced unbiased review. Just a little bit about my background. I am a fulltime instructor during the summer and a part-time instructor the rest of the year (I am a college student.) I have been around diving my whole life and have been lucky enough to have access to almost any piece of gear that I wanted. Having read the praises of the backplate and wing on the board I decided to pick one up. Since then I have had about 100 dives on it. I've used it in warm saltwater and cold freshwater (drysuit.) I've had it in the pool for classes and on pleasure and training dives. In the past I've used a Scubapro Knighthawk, Glide Plus, Classic Sport and S-Tek. I've also used a Sherwood Avid, Oceanic Contour and Oceanic Tour although not very often. One of the guys who helps me with classes uses a Halcyon Pioneer system so I had the chance to try one out before I made the plunge on mine.
First off I think the BP/Wing a great system. I am a big fan of keeping things simple and it does not get much simpler than this. No frills, no padding and no integrated weights. Just a harnass, three d-rings, wing and STA. The first thing I did upon receiving it and properly setting the sucker up was to replace the cam bands with Scubapro stainless steel-cinch locks. I think the plastic cam bands are worthless.
It took me two or three dives to really get comfortable with the BP. I was not a huge fan of the crotch strap at first but I've gotten used to it. I own a scooter and the D-ring on the CS has come in pretty handy with it. That being said after having gotten used to the BP/Wing setup I can honestly ask:
What is the big f'n deal?
Is it a good system? Yep, I liked it quite a bit. Pretty comfortable once I had it adjusted.
Is it any better than any of the other BCs that I own/have used? That is debatable. I think it is a very good system however once I am in the water I can tell very little difference between it and my Knighthawk. For some applications (photography) I found the Classic Sport to be a better BC.
In my opinion I think part of the BP/W deal is hype. Newer divers come on here see the praise and think "Hey, did I make the wrong purchase" blah blah blah and so on and so forth. They then purchase a BP/W and dive. Well, as you dive more you become a better diver. They then attribute that to the BP/W when in reality it is the diver coming to a better understanding of proper weighting and breath control in relation to buoyancy control . I am not saying this is everyone it is just an observation. Many of the biggest BP/Wing proponents on this board seem to be newer divers.
In my opinion a competent diver can easily make due with a garbage bag and a straw. Having a solid understanding of weighting, breathing and a good learning foundation is the key to being a good diver. The gear is secondary.
If you are a new diver who is having trouble with buoyancy control and trim get with an experienced diver who can show you the ropes and is obviously skilled at buoyancy and trim and places an emphasis on it. I have invited plenty of divers out with me on pleasure dives to give them a hand if they need it. I really appreciate all the divers who did it for me when I was still new at it and I try to do the same for others.
Note: Currely I only dive singles. This thread has nothing to do with BP/W use with doubles and sling tanks
Question, comments and snide remarks are welcome
