BP/Wing Observations

[PaulChristenson]

Yeah I know, I know another BP/Wing thread. Just what the board needs right? Well, deal with it anyway lol

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.

Question, comments and snide remarks are welcome

Garbage bag...pshaw!!!

A large bowl of three alarm chili and wet suit is all the buoyancy control one needs

Ducking and running

Paul in VT

 

[ZoCrowes255]

You made some good points Chris. A great diver can dive anything and make it look easy. However, a bad diver is always going to be a bad diver even if you put him in good gear. I seem's to me that some people think they can solve they're short comings by buying a bunch of gear. However, the reality of the situation is it takes proper training, experience and hard work to be a good diver.

Exactly. I think for the most part a student is going to get the training that they need out of an openwater class to be a competent diver. They just need to realize that they still have a lot to learn. The minute any diver stops learning, the minute they step back and say they don't need to know anymore to dive safely that is when they will no longer dive with me. This goes if you are an openwater diver with 10 dives or a cave instructor with 10,000 you're always learning something new. I don't care if you do it right, left, upside, down, forwards or backwards just so long as you do it safely.

 

[ZoCrowes255]

And you'll want those new stretchy bags for tear resistance. You might also want to think about double-bagging for redundancy...

Oooooh double bagging that is not one I have considered yet

 

[skeet]

I know by having a BC that is not cinched down over my diaphram, like all have so far on my 6' 6" body, now I breath easier and and wear it snug enough to prevent all that flopping around. No shortcomings, just gear induced difficulties.

 

[ZoCrowes255]

I have recently converted to the BP/W and frankly for me it is not the backplate or the wing I appreciate most. I like the simplicity of the single piece webbing harness with a minimum of junk. I have switched to the long hose and pockets on my wetsuit.

For me the part that is behind me is about as comfortable in a BP/W or my Zeagle Ranger, both are excellent in my book. The plate has the simple harness while the Zeagle has a thicker padded one with pockets and a larger profile and lots of buckles and clips. Now the plate wins every time!

The Zeagle is far more comfortable out of the water and the single piece harness on the plate is far more comfortable in the water. Since diving is a sport where the principal activity takes place in water...

Mark Vlahos

Wait a minute...diving takes place in the water?!

Glad to hear you are happy with your backplate. I have personally never dove a Zeagle but I was never all that taken with them. I am not a huge fan of softpacks which most Zeagles are I believe (correct me if I am wrong.)

 

[ZoCrowes255]

Makes me feel even more certain about my new Zeagle I bought yestrday. I tried on a DiveRite plate and harness and just as I suspected, I would have to add 4-5 inches in length to get the waste belt right. We made my Zeagle outof large and x-large parts. Fits like a glove.

Glad you found something that made ya happy. Fit and comfort is the most important consideration for anything. And if something does not fit you out of the box you gotta improvise!

 

[Mark Vlahos]

Wait a minute...diving takes place in the water?!

Glad to hear you are happy with your backplate. I have personally never dove a Zeagle but I was never all that taken with them. I am not a huge fan of softpacks which most Zeagles are I believe (correct me if I am wrong.)

If by softpack you mean that it is basically a soft "frame" to hold the tank, and bladder to your body you are pretty much right on the money. I switched to the Zeagle in my quest to remove the clutter from my chest and abdomen while diving. The Zeagle did that and was very comfortable and snug fitting without being restrictive. I am 6' tall and long waisted so finding a BC that was tall enough to fit tight while not having a strap that ran right across my abdomen was a plus. The single piece Hogarthian harness on my plate does the same and more, or should I say less. The crotch strap pulls down on the waist strap enough that it does not restrict my breathing or full range of motion.

Mark Vlahos

 

[ZoCrowes255]

If by softpack you mean that it is basically a soft "frame" to hold the tank, and bladder to your body you are pretty much right on the money. I switched to the Zeagle in my quest to remove the clutter from my chest and abdomen while diving. The Zeagle did that and was very comfortable and snug fitting without being restrictive. I am 6' tall and long waisted so finding a BC that was tall enough to fit tight while not having a strap that ran right across my abdomen was a plus. The single piece Hogarthian harness on my plate does the same and more, or should I say less. The crotch strap pulls down on the waist strap enough that it does not restrict my breathing or full range of motion.

Mark Vlahos

Softpack stands for soft backpack.

The crotch strap took a little bit of getting used to for me. Now that I'm used to it I like it.

 

[ZoCrowes255]

Garbage bag...pshaw!!!

A large bowl of three alarm chili and wet suit is all the buoyancy control one needs

Ducking and running

Paul in VT

Good lord that is just wrong...hardcore...but still wrong nonetheless lol

 

[herman]

I have to agree with you Chris. I had read all the glowing reports about how much difference there was in the BP and could not wait to try one. Going from my Ranger to the BP was a huge letdown. At the time, I had been diving it for several years and had recently completed a cavern course so my buoyancy and trim were dead on. I found it no more stable, less comfortable out of the water, a pain to adjust and to get out of. The differences in trim, buoyancy control and streamlining were minimal at best. I also missed the intergrated weights, I hate weight belts.
There is no doubt they are fine peices of equipment and if I ever decide to venture into tech diving where I need doubles, stage bottles and the rest of the gear, I would switch to one for that type of diving, but for the rec diving I do now, I will stick with my BC.