Hi All,
Went to my LDS today to give a look at a AP Valves Travel Wing. Want something light and packable for my dive travels, I shall not dive with ill-fitting rental BCDs any longer, so I gathered the Travel Wing would fit the bill. Its a nice package with a great price, but I am a little hesitant with respect to the pastic backplate. Looks sturdy enough, but it is quite thick (in fact, when I was in the shop, a guy walked in with a 15 year old Commando that needed its first repair ever, looked liked it had the same backplate in it). Won't this compromise the stability of the whole package? Unlike a BP, which typically is around 3mm, this was more the 20~30mm range (over the whole length, its a bit bend). Would this create tank wobble much like the rental jacket BCD I have used in the past, which typically also have a thick plastic backplate?
Or shouldn't I worry, as the harness will fit tight (unlike those rental BCDs), so that there won't be any wobble despite this thick plate?
Would be grateful for your thoughts - I might consider buying a (travel) Wing / BP if that is required to get the best fit. Bit more expensive but it is not like this will be investment you make many times in your life so the extra cost is, well, manageable.
Thanks!
Arjan
Went to my LDS today to give a look at a AP Valves Travel Wing. Want something light and packable for my dive travels, I shall not dive with ill-fitting rental BCDs any longer, so I gathered the Travel Wing would fit the bill. Its a nice package with a great price, but I am a little hesitant with respect to the pastic backplate. Looks sturdy enough, but it is quite thick (in fact, when I was in the shop, a guy walked in with a 15 year old Commando that needed its first repair ever, looked liked it had the same backplate in it). Won't this compromise the stability of the whole package? Unlike a BP, which typically is around 3mm, this was more the 20~30mm range (over the whole length, its a bit bend). Would this create tank wobble much like the rental jacket BCD I have used in the past, which typically also have a thick plastic backplate?
Or shouldn't I worry, as the harness will fit tight (unlike those rental BCDs), so that there won't be any wobble despite this thick plate?
Would be grateful for your thoughts - I might consider buying a (travel) Wing / BP if that is required to get the best fit. Bit more expensive but it is not like this will be investment you make many times in your life so the extra cost is, well, manageable.
Thanks!
Arjan
