Im using a Dive Rite Plates and harnesses and a Hog 32 lb wing. Both are exceptionally well made and all 3 brands you have mentioned make excellent products. The real deciding factors for me where availability, Service, and Cost.
BPW: Dive Rite vs Hollis vs DSS
- Thread starter Locus
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
annasea
Contributor
- Messages
- 19,206
- Reaction score
- 21,656
You don't specify where you do your diving so I'm going to guess locally. I started off with a SS DSS BP with weight plates that I got off ebay, but since cold water diving wasn't for me, I sold it all. If you're a travelling diver and want compact and lightweight (and quality, of course), I'd recommend an OxyCheq rig. I have an 18# wing paired with their ultralight BP and find it absolutely perfect!
Regardless of what brand you decide on, be sure to check Craigslist. I recently bought a next-to-new Suunto SK7 in a DSS mount for $40.
Regardless of what brand you decide on, be sure to check Craigslist. I recently bought a next-to-new Suunto SK7 in a DSS mount for $40.
What a coincidence, I got the same compass (with DSS mount) at the same price - also from craigslist. I'm on Craigslist religiously; it's where I got literally all the gear I'm using now except for my regs and mask. I find there are lots of jacket bcd's on craigslist but proper bpw's are few and far between, and I want something tailored to my needs.
Yes, I do plan to do some travel diving at some point, but presently I am gearing up for local cold water diving. I need quite a lot of ballast as it takes about 34lbs to sink just me and my exposure suit.
Quite a few people seem to like the integrated weight plates that DSS offers, but $100 seems like a lot to spend for only 8.1lbs. Are they really that much better than putting trim weights in pouches on your tank band?
I was wondering if OxyCheq would get mentioned. Where do they fit in among the other brands?
- Messages
- 17,700
- Reaction score
- 9,961
- Location
- Somewhere between here and there
- # of dives
- 2500 - 4999
It didn't look like OxyCheq was on your radar from your thread title. I dive Oxy wings an 18lb for travel and a 30lb for local, tiny wings and very well made I love them. They have a reputation for sketchy customer service but fortunately I haven't had to personally test it.
For dry suit diving in cold water with heavy thermals, yes, the weight plates are worth it. If you are diving that much weight, I'd venture you will shave some based on the BP/W characteristics (vs. conventional jackets), and, also with that much weight, you should likey be wearing a weight harness. A harness will cost as much or more than the plates.
I dive a single HP120 (-11#), DSS plate (-6#), DSS weight plates (-10#), and need no other weight. Blissfull!
I occasionally use cam band weights on a different rig. They are nice, but can be a PITA during tank switches.
I dive a single HP120 (-11#), DSS plate (-6#), DSS weight plates (-10#), and need no other weight. Blissfull!
I occasionally use cam band weights on a different rig. They are nice, but can be a PITA during tank switches.
BVickery
Contributor
Got a DSS Long Plate from a member here on SB. Haven't been diving with it yet, but can tell just from wearing it on shore the fit was much more comfortable than standard sized plates (I'm in the tall 6'4 - 6'7 type range).
annasea
Contributor
- Messages
- 19,206
- Reaction score
- 21,656
LOL! I've had sketchy customer service from DSS, prior to even buying anything, so I'd only turn to that brand as a last resort.
Patrick, OTOH, spent an hour on the phone with me, on his dime, while I was deciding on my first wing. (Started with the 30 and have since added the 18.)Locus, have you checked out The Deco Stop forum? A lot of gear is exchanged on that board. Alternatively, you can order from the States and have your parcel sent to a pick-up place in Blaine or Point Roberts. You'll probably pay tax at the border, but the savings might be worth it. (FWIW, I did order my first wing through a dive shop in Burnaby... took forever to get here and was exorbitantly expensive. Good thing I'm not a local diver; I refuse to feel guilty for not shopping local.)
- Messages
- 17,700
- Reaction score
- 9,961
- Location
- Somewhere between here and there
- # of dives
- 2500 - 4999
Cost will depend on brand, I know for example AGIR BROKK make a 6mm plate weighing in at just over 5kgs, it's expensive as most AB products are.
As for "effectiveness" they will both do the something as both will put the weight over your lungs. A 3mm with weight plates will of course be more versatile in that you can vary weighting depending on trim requirements, exposure wear, tanks etc. obviously with a 6mm plate you are stuck with the fixed weight if the plate. Personally I'd go for versatility.
As for "effectiveness" they will both do the something as both will put the weight over your lungs. A 3mm with weight plates will of course be more versatile in that you can vary weighting depending on trim requirements, exposure wear, tanks etc. obviously with a 6mm plate you are stuck with the fixed weight if the plate. Personally I'd go for versatility.
Exactly what I needed to know. Thanks.
Similar threads
