Can I Get Some Advice on Backinflate System?

[eclipse785]

Hi,
I just purchased a used Riptide Zone back-inflate system and I'm at a loss on how to configure it. It was delivered to me without tank straps or any kind of rigid plate (The BC has an opening in which to intall a plate). According to what I've read, it sounds like you can use this BC without a plate, but if that's so, it would be kind of 'floppy'. It just doesn't sound right to me.

I've never played with backplate systems so I'm not quite sure how to procede from here. If I do need to get a BP, I'm thinking of going with Hammerhead. I already understand the merits of SS vs. Aluminum, so SS sounds right for cold water (Monterey, CA). But 11 pounds (BP + STA) sounds like a lot to carry as non-ditchable weight, even for the California coast. Plus would this mean I'd have to change to a different plate if I took my rig warm water diving?

The more I think about it, the more I feel lost. Can you offer your suggestions?

Thanks

 

[djanni]

Hi,
I just purchased a used Riptide Zone back-inflate system and I'm at a loss on how to configure it. It was delivered to me without tank straps or any kind of rigid plate (The BC has an opening in which to intall a plate). According to what I've read, it sounds like you can use this BC without a plate, but if that's so, it would be kind of 'floppy'. It just doesn't sound right to me.

I've never played with backplate systems so I'm not quite sure how to procede from here. If I do need to get a BP, I'm thinking of going with Hammerhead. I already understand the merits of SS vs. Aluminum, so SS sounds right for cold water (Monterey, CA). But 11 pounds (BP + STA) sounds like a lot to carry as non-ditchable weight, even for the California coast. Plus would this mean I'd have to change to a different plate if I took my rig warm water diving?

The more I think about it, the more I feel lost. Can you offer your suggestions?

Thanks

My first thought was to wonder what you thought you were buying, but be that as it may, I took a really quick look at this BC on-line.

They call it a soft-pack bc that can be modified for doubles by adding a hard-plate.

Don't worry about it being "floppy." Soft-back BC's are not floppy with single tanks!!! Of course this assumes, as it would with anything, that it fits you properly.

Again, don't worry about the floppy part. If you get into doubles then think about the plate. By then, you may be ready for a new BC anyway. One never wants to take the chance that a piece of equipment might be getting old.

 

[eclipse785]

Maybe I made a stupid decision to buy it, but as they say,.. it seemed like a good deal at the time. The biggest reason I was doubting the set-up was because I looked at the system and thought about the logistics. It just didn't seem right to rely on the 'fabric' of the BC to be the only thing that kept the tank in place. And as I thought about the inevitable situation when I pick up the rig (tank, BC, regs, etc.) by just the handle of the BC, it just seemed to be a lot of weight concentrated on a small area. That's why I thought a backplate was nessicary.

 

[djanni]

Maybe I made a stupid decision to buy it, but as they say,.. it seemed like a good deal at the time. The biggest reason I was doubting the set-up was because I looked at the system and thought about the logistics. It just didn't seem right to rely on the 'fabric' of the BC to be the only thing that kept the tank in place. And as I thought about the inevitable situation when I pick up the rig (tank, BC, regs, etc.) by just the handle of the BC, it just seemed to be a lot of weight concentrated on a small area. That's why I thought a backplate was nessicary.

I wasn't saying you made a bad purchase. There are quite a few manufacturers who build soft-back BC's. I have two. A Dive Rite Transpac and Zeagle Stiletto. They're both great BC's. The back is fabric. There is no floppiness. When you pick it up use the tank valve or a combination of bc handle and tank valve. The tank valve if fully capable of handling the weight of the tank plus the 3 to 5 lbs of the bc.

Stop worrying and enjoy your BC.