BP/Wings cheaper than BCD???

[Katz]

ScubaJeep,
You can get SS backplate and a heavy STA for $100 from S&W metalworks now. Or AL backplate with lightweight STA for $70. Or $160 for both.

 

[ElectricZombie]

Another advantage of buying a BP/Wing setup is that it will last forever and will never become obsolete. If you buy a gimmick BC, you'll probably be compelled to replace it with a newer model when the next big gimmick comes out. This ends up being a never ending cycle of constant "upgrades". If you just buy a good BP/Wing setup, you're set. A BP/Wing setup has a cheaper initial cost and a cheaper long term ownership cost; not to mention the fact that it actually does what it's supposed to do.

 

[jonnythan]

Buy a BC, then another BC with more features, then another BC for doubles or tech diving... and then the bp/wing is way cheaper. It's also on par in terms of price with the high quality rec BC's on the market. So the claim that it's "cheaper" is that it's cheaper to own, not necessarily to buy the first time.

 

[Zippsy]

ScubaJeep, in fear of getting shouted down, I'll tell you that I found the same as you. BTW, my first BC lasted 13 years. Actually, it's lasted more since my son now uses it. I paid around $200 for it. I expect my current BC to last at least that long and I'm obviously not the kind of person that buys the latest gear for the newest gimicks. If you're not either, buy what's comfortable for you.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I paid $390 for a Genesis Recon and another $180 for the plate kit and STA a few years ago.

Recently I bought a very slightly used wing for $85 including shipping and a new OMS aluminum backplate, harness and shoulder pads for $127 including shipping and then added a set of very slightly used dive rite weight pouches off E-bay for $50.00.

So a weight integrated Geneiss Recon with the plate kit cost $570.00 while a new aluminum backplate, harness and and slightly used wing with a set of slightly used weight pouches cost $262.00.

It is not exactly an apples to apples comparison but the BP/wing concept allows you to buy one piece at a time. It allows you to upgrade or change plates and wings, and to replace parts as needed rather than replace a whole system. And it also allows you to mix and match brands to get exactly what you want rather than accept what ever it is a company or shop feels like selling. It also does not have to be expensive if you take your time and buy smart.

I started diving with a Scubapro wing attached to a standard cam pack with a set of neoprene shoulder pads. The current BP/wing setup is nothing more than a slight refinement of what I started with in the early 80's so I really don't expect it to go out of style or lose it's utility (unless rebreathers become dirt cheap and open circuit becomes as vintage as double hose reg diving.)

 

[rjchandler]

yup -backpack and horsecollar - never obsolete :jump013: and if you shop around you can get them real cheap. The problem with BP/W and "cheap" is that unless you hit a sale - see Abysmal.com - or buy used, they aren't. And then there's the AL or "travel plate" for traveling and the smaller wing because you don't need all that lift in the tropics :bogey:

Buy what you feel comfortable diving in.

 

[ElectricZombie]

So the claim that it's "cheaper" is that it's cheaper to own, not necessarily to buy the first time.

In my experience, the BP/Wing had a lower initial cost and a lower long term cost because I never have to replace it with the latest gimmick.

The first BC I ever bought cost around $750.00. It was one of the gimmick BCs mentioned.

Total cost for a Halcyon BP/wing setup with SS BP + Harness, 27lbs single tank wing and 55lbs doubles wing: About $850.00. I have TWO great setups that will never become obsolete...all for $100.00 more than the cost of ONE junk rig.

 

[rjchandler]

The original poster is in se MI - he can get seaquest Balance or Pro QD for maybe $4-450. You can even use the Pro QD with doubles (that'll get everyones blood boiling :jump013. Scuba pro classic is probably in the $500 range been around for years and is hardly obsolete.

Only the Backplate and harness are suitable for all types of diving. You buy one wing and bands for doubles and a different wing plus adapter and bands for singles. As Ezombie specs it out - that ain't cheap.

And most people are never going near a set of doubles or anythng remotely resembling tech diving. Most rec diving is single tank diving. They may end up bobbing at the end of a tag line with 5 other divers in heavy seas at the end of a normal rec dive and appreciate the bouyancy characteristics of a jacket style bc. A bp/w would not be "suitable" for those that can't learn to be comfrotable under those conditions.

The Obviously you can always find a deal, but I do not think bp/w is cheaper in the long run or necessarily more expensive either. The jacket bc and the bp/w cost about the same - depending on the package. Focus should be on the characteristics of each style and what the diver feels comfortable with.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I traded my original back inflate BC in on a new Scubapro "Double Blue" BC and did my first double tank and deco dives with it. It was hard to beat in terms of durability, stability underwater, and comfort on the surface. But after diving in it and a warranty replacement "Double Black" for about a decade I went back to a back inflate wing style BC for the streamlining and for the availability of D-rings.

As indicated above, a well designed jacket BC can be hard to beat if you are a new diver who is perhaps less comfortable in the water. I would tend to agree with those who feel that starting new OW students in a BP/wing set up may be ill advised. I did it, but I also was a freediver (called "skin diver" at the time) for years before I started scuba diving and was very comfortable in the water. There are certainly advantages to initialy purchasing a BP and wing that will serve you throughout your diving career but that does you no good if you don't continue diving much past your OW class.

Personally I feel that for many divers the best route is to go with a good used BC and reg as soon as possible to make it easier and more ecnomical for them to dive more often. They can always upgrade later when they know exactly what they want and more importantly, after they are firmly committed to diving on a regular basis.

 

[simbrooks]

I would tend to agree with those who feel that starting new OW students in a BP/wing set up may be ill advised.

Not a flame, but please explain what is so different about being a new diver and diving a BP/Wings compared to a jacket???

I am a new diver, i only have 16 post OW cert dives and 6 of those have been on BP/Wings (4 on rentals and 2 on my new rig), i found the jackets a pain. Although the ones you can buy for a reasonable price are better than those you can get in rental, i really dont see how they are harder to use, only slightly tougher to get into if you arent accustomed to it. Am i unduly putting myself at risk with this set-up??? I dont think so, and also i did buy this gear with forethought to use it in future adventures in my diving career in caves (after training) which should get underway later this year with cavern.