Buying a BC: questions.

[RTee]

You ditch enough weight so your BC can still provide enough buoyancy

Concur and +1 for size of the bladder vs 36lbs of weight.

@ James R...He needs that much weight to counter the buoyancy properties of his thermal protection + his near empty tank. Therefore, if he is weighted properly he should only be overweighted by about 5 lbs or so at the beginning of his dive if using an AL tank and be pretty much bang on at the end of his dive.

 

[elan]

To post #19: It sounds like your BC was too big. Unless one grossly gains or loses weight BP/W gives no advantage. A properly sized BC is a properly sized BC

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

To post #19: It sounds like your BC was too big. Unless one grossly gains or loses weight BP/W gives no advantage. A properly sized BC is a properly sized BC

Or one grossly changes their thermal protections. Lets says a diver from NE (or Toronto) with a bulky wet suit or dry suit decides to vacation in the tropics in a 3mm or skin.

 

[James R]

His wet suit will do that for him pretty normal weight for that suit in salt water

I meant to float his rig without him in it, but he's already addressed that. He uses both a belt and the BCD pockets.

I used to think I would never float my rig without me in it, but it's happened for various reasons a handful of times.

Concur and +1 for size of the bladder vs 36lbs of weight.

@ James R...He needs that much weight to counter the buoyancy properties of his thermal protection + his near empty tank. Therefore, if he is weighted properly he should only be overweighted by about 5 lbs or so at the beginning of his dive if using an AL tank and be pretty much bang on at the end of his dive.

I am very well aware of this, but it's a nice explanation for those who may need it

 

[elan]

Or one grossly changes their thermal protections. Lets says a diver from NE (or Toronto) with a bulky wet suit or dry suit decides to vacation in the tropics in a 3mm or skin.

I did this, and this is where the BP/W does not shine. First of all you need to replace the Backplate with aluminum and adjust the harness or you will have to simply keep 2 different plates with harness.
On a regulat BC the straps are tightened up thats it.

 

[James R]

I did this, and this is where the BP/W does not shine. First of all you need to replace the Backplate with aluminum and adjust the harness or you will have to simply keep 2 different plates with harness.
On a regulat BC the straps are tightened up thats it.

Why would you have to change backplates? I travel with my SS backplate...it's only 3lbs heavier than my aluminum plate, and my gear bag still easily makes the 50lb limit most airlines have in place. My SS plate is a Halcyon with the cinch system so it's super easy to adjust, but I rarely do.

My AL plate I use mainly with steel doubles because they are already quite negative and I don't want the extra ballast SS would give. I have traveled with it as well, and I didn't adjust the harness from when I was diving dry here at home to diving in Malaysia in a 1.5mm. It was a bit loose, yes, but not an issue at all.

 

[elan]

I travel with my family and with nowdays limits every pound counts no cannot afford taking the steel bp on a trip

 

[RTee]

I meant to float his rig without him in it, but he's already addressed that. He uses both a belt and the BCD pockets.

I used to think I would never float my rig without me in it, but it's happened for various reasons a handful of times.



I am very well aware of this, but it's a nice explanation for those who may need it

James, I am glad I could be of assistance...


Cheers

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I did this, and this is where the BP/W does not shine. First of all you need to replace the Backplate with aluminum and adjust the harness or you will have to simply keep 2 different plates with harness.
On a regulat BC the straps are tightened up thats it.

I dive with an AL plate all the time, don't even own S/S plate. Works from 40F dry suit with double layers of garments to tropics. Although the S/S might allow me to transfer a few pounds of ballast from my harness/belt to the BP, its does not reduce the amount of weight so its not worthwhile IMO since close to 1/2 my diving is while traveling.

Because the sizing of BCD's is in discrete steps, you can find yourself with a BCD the fits you on one extreme of thermal protection and not the other. It just depends how "normal" you are relative to the size charts or on the edge between sizes like I am.

The BP/W on the other hand has an infinite number of sizes.

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I travel with my family and with nowdays limits every pound counts no cannot afford taking the steel bp on a trip

Ever take a look at the Zeagle Tech Express, the plate is cloth. The thing is really light weight (3lbs or so) and ideal for travel with a single tank rig. It not as rock solid as a BP, but if you are like me and need to cram you gear and cloths into 50lbs its a nice option.

 

[Slmason.72]

I have an Aqualung Dimension i3 and love it, especially the i3 inflator. if I'm In a situation where I have to worry about that little tiny lever thats tucked up against my waist getting bumped in a wreck dive, I'm way beyond my training anyway. It Does get water in it occasionally, turn it upside down and drain it thought the manual fill tube (in my case an air source 3) or the flat dump valves are easy to remove should you wish to do so.

Your BC is personal preference. I tried a BPW set up and hated it, though if I follow through with where I want to go with diving in the next several years, I'll most likely end up owning one for doubles / side mount and stage bottles. If I go this route, I'll probably keep my BC for single tank dives as I truly do love it.

---------- Post added ----------

Don't get too wrapped up in the BP/W hype. If we were talking about cars instead of buoyancy control systems, the argument would sound like... "everyone should buy a truck! They are great because they are so versatile. You can get a king cab or a crew cab, a topper, a tonneau cover, you can tow trailers and the tailgate even doubles as a bench! See they are very versatile and modular! I don't know why you would want a car...
Dont get me wrong, there's a place for BPW, it's just not the be all end all that the Internet makes it it to be.