BPW

[Ishkrbibbl]

just got re-cert after years out of water - my how tech has changed in 20 yrs.

Looking at BPW setups, particularly a dive right hybrid wing w/backplate

Any experiences with...

Looking used...
Are all backplates essentially the same?
Besides what they are made of
Can you get a bad plate?
If so what am I looking for?

Any and all help appreciated

 

[tbone1004]

1. yes and no. They all have the same bolt hole spacing for doubles, they all accept harnesses. The cam band holes may or may not be there, they may be at different spacing. The angle of the spine may be different *particularly Deep Sea Supply which has a flatter backplate that is optimized for single tanks. Depending on your height, most manufacturers sell a short backplate, but DSS is the only one that sells long and extra long plates. The long plate was key for me to be able to dive backmount comfortably

2. SS is most common and ideal if you need to dive with lead. If you don't, then most companies make an aluminum plate, Deep Sea Supply uses kydex with stainless inserts for their "light" backplate

3. not really. You can get some that are less than ideal though. Particularly older plates that don't have cam bands and force the use of an STA. You may want to use one, or you may not

4. the biggest one is the condition and size of the wing. You don't want to go overboard on the wing, bigger is not better. Particularly use of something like the Dive Rite rec wing for single tanks which is way too wide. It's usable, but far from ideal.

Regarding tech, bp/w's have been around in their current form since the mid 80's, just a bit more popular now

 

[decompression]

Small point to add, most now accept a 1" or 2" crotch strap as some of the older ones only accepted a 1".

 

[2airishuman]

just got re-cert after years out of water - my how tech has changed in 20 yrs.

Looking at BPW setups, particularly a dive right hybrid wing w/backplate

Any experiences with...

Looking used...

I have a DSS plate that I like. I bought it used.

Are all backplates essentially the same?

No. The main difference is in how they work for single cylinders. Most but not all will accept a single cylinder wing and a single cylinder without an adapter, although a wing from the same vendor as the bp is required as the slot location isn't standardized. That said, some vendors setups for single wing are easier to use and more secure than others. There are also differences in weight, and in the number and placement of accessory mounting holes. DSS makes backplates in various sizes rather than one-size-fits-all, while other vendors do not. DSS also makes accessory weights although I haven't found them useful. Build quality is better with some vendors than others.

Can you get a bad plate?

You can get one that doesn't fit the single-cylinder wing you want to use. That's bad.

 

[runsongas]

Some have different bend angles and newer ones usually have bent/rounded corners. you also have better finishing on some brands.

304 plates that do not have passivation can become a bit discolored. some of the cheaper plates also have sharp edges that you will need to smooth out yourself.

the really old plates also don't have slots for cam bands, so you need a sta with them.

otherwise, they functionally are the same.

 

[dmaziuk]

You can get one that doesn't fit the single-cylinder wing you want to use. That's bad.

Well... if it's Al and you have a dremel with a set of cut-off wheels: not that bad. Ask me how I know.

 

[2airishuman]

Well... if it's Al and you have a dremel with a set of cut-off wheels: not that bad. Ask me how I know.

Been there, done that, although my weapon of choice is a die grinder.

 

[Ishkrbibbl]

1. yes and no. They all have the same bolt hole spacing for doubles, they all accept harnesses. The cam band holes may or may not be there, they may be at different spacing. The angle of the spine may be different *particularly Deep Sea Supply which has a flatter backplate that is optimized for single tanks. Depending on your height, most manufacturers sell a short backplate, but DSS is the only one that sells long and extra long plates. The long plate was key for me to be able to dive backmount comfortably

2. SS is most common and ideal if you need to dive with lead. If you don't, then most companies make an aluminum plate, Deep Sea Supply uses kydex with stainless inserts for their "light" backplate

3. not really. You can get some that are less than ideal though. Particularly older plates that don't have cam bands and force the use of an STA. You may want to use one, or you may not

4. the biggest one is the condition and size of the wing. You don't want to go overboard on the wing, bigger is not better. Particularly use of something like the Dive Rite rec wing for single tanks which is way too wide. It's usable, but far from ideal.

Regarding tech, bp/w's have been around in their current form since the mid 80's, just a bit more popular now

Thnx

 

[Ishkrbibbl]

Thnx for input and time, keep it coming

 

[daduls]

I suggest visiting a shop or well equipped friend to find the size plate you prefer, I bought a couple before finding the fit I preferred.

Also be sure to ge plenty of length on your harness.

Wing just depends on diving preference, some will use one for all diving conditions other people have a wing for each variation of dive.

I’ve got a Halcyon plate and harness collecting dust if you’re interested,