BP/Wing What will I need to buy?

[Scott M]

I have pretty much decided I am going to go with the BP/Wing set-up. I have read as much info on the subject as I can but still am having trouble figuring out exactly what I need for my type of diving.

During my OW class I wore a very poorly fitting 7MM farmer john two piece with a zeagle BC with an AL80 and had to carry 26 lbs of weight.

My primary diving will be in Lake Champlain so I will be buying/ using a 7MM semi-dry, 7mm hood. gloves, boots and probably a core warmer most of the time. Single tank set-up either Aluminum or LP steel.

I will also want to use this set-up (if possible) for possibly several warm water reef dives. I am getting a 3mm for this and will rent a tank so it will probably be an AL80 as I understand this is the normal dive boat tank.

Is it possible to set-up a BP/Wing to do both types of diving?

If so, what exactly do I need?

Back-plate - steel, alum or ABS?
Harness?
Tanks? Aluminum/steel?
D-rings?
Wing size?
Anything else to complete the set-up?

What (approx) would I have to carry for weight for each location.
I assume the fresh water/ heavy wet suit vs. the salt water light wet suit would be the factors determining the weight requirements.

Thanks in advance
ScottM

 

[Scubaroo]

A stainless steel backplate sounds ideal - that's what I'm currently using for both cold and warm water diving, as long as it doesn't screw your baggage allowances.

For cold water diving, go for the steel tanks. PST E series are the "bees knees" at the moment.

For warm water diving, go with aluminum - the SS backplate at 6lb will offset the 4lb positive buoyancy of a near-empty AL tank, which leaves you with ditchable weight for the rest of your weighting requirements.

Most backplates come with a hogarthian harness with the correct D-rings.

You'll be wanting a larger wing in the 30-45lb range to cater for cold water wetsuit diving - I find a 36lb wing worked well in California, but I'll be shortly changing to a 45lb wing.

 

[Boogie711]

If I were you, I'd get a SS backplate with heavy STA for cold water stuff, and consider getting an aluminum plate with lightweight STA for travel.

I dive either 7mm wet or dry, and with my 7mm semi dry, hood, LP steel tank, I moved from almost 30 pounds on my belt to 6. My plate and STA weighs 12 pounds, tank knocks about 4 or 5 pounds off... much more comfortable, for sure.

But I wouldn't want to take a 12 pound setup with me to Cozumel. Hence, an aluminum plate and lightweight STA.

Other stuff you may need includes about 12 feet of weightbelt-sized webbing... probably some thinner stuff for a crotch strap, 5 D-Rings, some tri-glides...

For a wing, I would recommend the Oxycheq. I got mine at COVCI - www.covci.com. Chris there is a great guy.

You might need some cambands and stuff too, depending on where you get your plate. Send me a PM... I'm actually working on putting together some harness kits for E-Bay.

 

[ClassAction]

Why not look into the OMS IQ pack? I just got one and I'm very happy with it. It's the best of both worlds -- all the comfort of a BC (i.e. padded, adjustable straps) plus the simplicity and ability to grow (with you) of a BP/wings.

I went with the AL BP, since I'll be diving in cold and warm water. Eventually, I might spring for the SS BP. I also went with a 45# wing. I've heard that a smaller wing might be better for singles, but this was the most economical way to go for now (I can do singles or doubles with it).

Also, with the IQ, you don't need a STA. You could always add one in the future. As long as the cam bands work well, I won't be adding one. If you just want to get weight off your belt, why not go with trim or tank weights instead (much cheaper than a STA).

 

[ColdH20diving]

ClassAction once bubbled...
Why not look into the OMS IQ pack? I just got one and I'm very happy with it. It's the best of both worlds -- all the comfort of a BC (i.e. padded, adjustable straps) plus the simplicity and ability to grow (with you) of a BP/wings.

Also, with the IQ, you don't need a STA. You could always add one in the future. As long as the cam bands work well, I won't be adding one. If you just want to get weight off your belt, why not go with trim or tank weights instead (much cheaper than a STA).

When I switched from my OMS IQ PAK to the BP/wing set up I was able to drop another 5 pounds of weight. All the padding adds buoyancy and with a 7mil or dry suit the padding is not necessary. With the harness you can place D rings where you need them, it's easier to clean and takes a lot less time to dry. While the shoulder adjustment straps are nice, depending upon your size, the excess strap flopping around could be a potential snag hazard.

 

[IzzyTahil]

Initially, a ss b/p is your most flexible option. Things like sta's, vweights etc. you can get as when you figure out the best weight distribution for trim, or if you want ditchable weights, etc.

My set up with singles drysuit:

In fresh water
- ss b/p + steel tank + 30cf ponly (-2.7bls) + 3lb lead
- ss/b/p + al80 + pony + 6lb lead

In salt, I simply add 4lbs to either config.

In warm water, with a 3mm suit, I can use a b/p + 4 lbs or if im in a .5mm skin suit, no weights at all. OR the other option is to use an al b/p. The al b/p you can use when you switch to doubles.

I like many b/p users have multiple b/p configs for different diving situations. In the end, dive what is most comfortable to you

 

[ChrisM]

If you can swing it, get an AL backplate from FredT for the warm water stuff, and just switch the harness -- better yet, get each fully kitted.

If for no other reason, that travelling with a SS plate is a heavy drag

 

[jonnythan]

I dive in Lake George most of the time, so our diving is obviously similar.

I use a 6 lb stainless steel backplate with a custom poured 8 pound channel weight. The 14 pounds is all I need with my drysuit, and it works extremely well. I use a 36lb Pioneer wing so I don't bother with an STA.

$40 will get you an Al backplate from LP... go ahead and get both.

 

[ZoCrowes255]

Why would you buy something without trying it first? What's good for one diver is not always good for another. There are quite a few people in my local area who have let me try/have tried their BP setup and I live in Kentucky! Always always always try before you buy or make sure you can return or exchange it. That goes for any major scuba purchase.

Scott M once bubbled...
I have pretty much decided I am going to go with the BP/Wing set-up. I have read as much info on the subject as I can but still am having trouble figuring out exactly what I need for my type of diving.

During my OW class I wore a very poorly fitting 7MM farmer john two piece with a zeagle BC with an AL80 and had to carry 26 lbs of weight.

My primary diving will be in Lake Champlain so I will be buying/ using a 7MM semi-dry, 7mm hood. gloves, boots and probably a core warmer most of the time. Single tank set-up either Aluminum or LP steel.

I will also want to use this set-up (if possible) for possibly several warm water reef dives. I am getting a 3mm for this and will rent a tank so it will probably be an AL80 as I understand this is the normal dive boat tank.

Is it possible to set-up a BP/Wing to do both types of diving?

If so, what exactly do I need?

Back-plate - steel, alum or ABS?
Harness?
Tanks? Aluminum/steel?
D-rings?
Wing size?
Anything else to complete the set-up?

What (approx) would I have to carry for weight for each location.
I assume the fresh water/ heavy wet suit vs. the salt water light wet suit would be the factors determining the weight requirements.

Thanks in advance
ScottM

 

[Scott M]

Thanks for all the suggestions:

It looks like if I do go with the BP/Wings it will have to be with 2 plates. S/S and Alum. Using the S/S plate (with the heavier wet suit with some weight on it) would be a lot nicer than the 26lb weight belt I've had to use, it would be nice to get the ditchable weight down to around 6 to 8 lbs.

For those that suggested the packs. I have not ruled them out but for now I think I like the idea of the simplistic BP/Wing set-up and the ability to put things were I want when I want. I still like the Transpac and want to see more info on Oxycheq's new set-up beofre I decide.

Chris, I agree, in an ideal world I would go out and try everything I wanted to buy. Unfortunitily for me that is just not possible so I have to rely on others such as yourslef with experience to pave the way. I am aware this may lead to some gear ending up on EBay but that is the price I will have to pay.

Scott M