Buy first AL or SS BP? & more newbie questions...

[Faris427]

I am a new diver looking into getting a BP/W, for money sakes I think I have decided to buy a hammerhead BP. I need help deciding if I am better suited to get an AL or SS BP and whether to get the 1 or 2 piece STA. I live in Florida and dont have any current plans to move from the state. I think that all I need is an AL BP but is there a reason to buy the SS over the AL? Is a SS BP able to grow with your diving better than a AL? Or can you make that compensation later on by just adding weight?

Also if you could help relieve my noobness and list out a quick have-to-haves for BP/W diving i.e. do you have to get weight pockets, what is this cam thingamabob? I intend on finding a LDS that sells BP/W to talk in person with someone on all this too, just work schedule is longer in the day than the LDS is open...
Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[halocline]

To decide about the AL or SS plate, you need to know what your weighting needs are. If you typically need 6-8 lbs or more with your current set up, a steel plate is probably better. The only time when I would prefer using an AL plate would be with a steel tank and little or no neoprene. (like a shorty)

You can always add weight to the AL set up, but you lose the trim and comfort advantages of the steel plate. The steel plate offsets the buoyancy of an AL tank very nicely.

 

[Colliam7]

I live in Florida and dont have any current plans to move from the state. I think that all I need is an AL BP but is there a reason to buy the SS over the AL?

I agree with mattboy, for single tank (AL or even steel) diving, SS is probably a more useful choice. If you are going to diving in mid 70s water wearing a 3 mm, then you will probably need some weight, and the SS is nice. AL plates are better for wet doubles diving, and may be useful where you don't need any added weight (fresh water, no neoprene, big steel tank), and may be preferred by those who travel a lot with their gear. Haven't done a SB poll but I suspect the majoirty of single tank BP diving is done with SS.

Also if you could help relieve my noobness and list out a quick have-to-haves for BP/W diving i.e. do you have to get weight pockets, what is this cam thingamabob?

Don't HAVE to have weight pockets, standard weight belt works fine for most. Not sure which 'cam thingamabob' you are thinking of, unless you mean cam band trim pockets, which you don't HAVE to have either. Choices you might have to make include: a) type of harness - simple single piece webbing or 'deluxe' harness (quick releases, possibly padding); b) wing - size (lift), model; c) tank attachment - cam bands only, 1 piece STA, 2 piece STA. The beauty of a BP is its simplicity, and modularity. To get started you only NEED a BP, a wing, a way to attach the BP to you (harness), and a way to attach the BP to a tank (cam bands / STA). Add the other usual stuff (mask, fins, regulator, weight system) and away you go. Lots (and lots and lots) of SB threads on BP/W, which are recommended reading before making your purchases.

 

[johnny_bravo]

That's a lot of questions you have...make sure you read a lot more here on SB, maybe call Tobin at DSS or the guys at Scuba Toys for some more BP advice, etc.

A SS plate is a good choice here in Florida especially with the exposure protection needed to dive the springs or the Gulf in the wintertime...a SS plate and STA can add 6-9lbs or even more...the 6lbs from the plate alone will compensate for the buoyancy characteristics of an AL 80 tank.

I assume by "cam thing" you mean cam bands/straps...which are a part of a BP/W system needed to hold the tank in place. Some systems have the cam bands attached to the STA, some STA-less systems just thread the cam bands thru the backplate and the wing directly.

In terms of weight pockets...I dove twice with weight pockets on my BP/W system and hated it...because I only need an extra 2-5lbs of weight after the 9lbs the plate and STA provide I choose to wear a weight belt.

Hope some of this helps.

-J.-