choosing BP/W for 145lb female new in sport

[ocean chemist it]

Hi,

I've only got a couple of dives, but i'm doing training at UC Berkeley this semester to certify, and I plan to study oceanography so hope to do technical diving.

I don't like to waste money, so rather than buying a BC, I am leaning toward a BP/W as it is what my dive instructor recommends for tech diving.

So, i'm sure that you know that the choices are many, and i've done some reading but I know that you all have done much more and know the gear well. So, I ask that you share your expertise.

I am 5'5", 145lb, fairly fit build. I see that Golem Gear has sales here and there, and that right now the 55lb combo is on sale. Now, I assume this isn't what I need right off the bat, but should probably look at the 35lb single tank setup, assming you can't use the double for a single. I can't afford it without a sale, though

Questions:

Anyone know how frequently they go on sale? Maybe the 35lb will be on sale soon?

Would I want the aluminum or SS? Will this be dependent on my weight? Should I get the SS to make up for buoyancy?

I get this and I just rent the tank and regulator and that's it? Is there any quirkyness compared to BCs? They are all compatible with the same things, right?

I know i'm forgetting to ask some questions, but these are good for now. Chime in with other concerns if you think I should be considering them.

Thanks for the help,
Angela

 

[ocean chemist it]

Oh, and if anyone knows of shops that have these setups for rent/demo in the SF Bay area, the recommendation would be great.

I should also mention i'm going to be diving Monterey, CA.

 

[Hoosier]

You are in CA. How about Deep Sea Supply?

If something is wrong on the product, you can easily kick Tobin's butt...

Check out Tobin's small plate as well.

My 2 bar.

 

[ocean chemist it]

WAY too far. I'm in Northern California (outside of SF). Pasadena is 400 mi south. :/

thx, tho.
-A

 

[cool_hardware52]

Hi,

I've only got a couple of dives, but i'm doing training at UC Berkeley this semester to certify, and I plan to study oceanography so hope to do technical diving.

I don't like to waste money, so rather than buying a BC, I am leaning toward a BP/W as it is what my dive instructor recommends for tech diving.

So, i'm sure that you know that the choices are many, and i've done some reading but I know that you all have done much more and know the gear well. So, I ask that you share your expertise.

I am 5'5", 145lb, fairly fit build. I see that Golem Gear has sales here and there, and that right now the 55lb combo is on sale. Now, I assume this isn't what I need right off the bat, but should probably look at the 35lb single tank setup, assming you can't use the double for a single. I can't afford it without a sale, though

Questions:

Anyone know how frequently they go on sale? Maybe the 35lb will be on sale soon?

Would I want the aluminum or SS? Will this be dependent on my weight? Should I get the SS to make up for buoyancy?

I get this and I just rent the tank and regulator and that's it? Is there any quirkyness compared to BCs? They are all compatible with the same things, right?

I know i'm forgetting to ask some questions, but these are good for now. Chime in with other concerns if you think I should be considering them.

Thanks for the help,
Angela

Angela,

Given that you will be diving in fairly cold water you will almost certainly benefit from the ballast that SS plate offers, one of the key features of a BackPlate and wing is the ability to move ~6 lbs off your waist and on to your back, helps with horizontal trim.

I would recommend a singles wing for singles and ad doubles wing for doubles. If you choose to use a doubles wing with a single tank you will negate most of benefits of streamlining and easy venting a Backplate and wing can offer.

Keep in mind that the move to doubles involves big $$, Drysuit, couple sets of doubles, 3-5 regs (or more) training etc. The cost of another ~$300 wing when you are ready to make that jump is a small piece of the puzzle.

The lift capacity you currently need is a function primarily of the buoyancy of your exposure suit. A 7mm suit on a person your size is very unlikely to be 35 lbs buoyant, 18-22 is more typical.

If we assume that you will be using a Steel HP 100, which are about -2 near empty and about -10 lbs full, a medium SS backplate and a single first stage regulator, your rig will be about -18 lbs with a full tank. That means you need more than 18 lbs of wing lift to float it at the surface.

You also need to be able to compensate for a fully compressed wetsuit, and if we assume your suit will will be +22 lbs, the most it can loose is 22 lbs. That menas you need a wing with at least 22 lbs of lift to compensate for the potential loss of buoyancy from compression of your suit.

22 > 18 so, if my assumptions are correct, you need a wing in the 26 to 30 lbs range.

I would recommend first determining what you will be using for an exposure suit before buying any BC.

If you have other questions please let me know.

Tobin

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

I dive a Golem #35 stainless single rig combo with a horse wing and my buddy just ordered the #35 stainless single rig combo with the ring wing. I am not a little jealous her ring wing! I let my buddy try my rig out in the water and she was sold. Her old gear still in almost new condition is now for sale on ebay.

Golem makes solid gear and stands behind his product. I have found him easy to deal with and very receptive to customer feed back. I looked at a lot of gear before I made the decision to purchase a Golem single tank ring. It is one of the purchases that if I were making all over again I would make the same choice. I can’t say the same for other things I have purchased and will also be putting some stuff up on ebay.

If he doesn’t have the exact combo on sale that you are looking for, send him and email and give him a chance to earn your business.

My rig handles very nicely in the water and I love it more every dive. If you lived close to me I would be glad to meet you at the lake and let you take it for a spin. I tried to convince me dive buddy for a long time that Golem was the deal. Finally I got her to try it a couple of weeks ago and I did not need to say another word. As soon as she got clearance from her hubby for new toys she placed an order with Golem.

Now if we could just get him to offer it with burgundy or dark rose straps it would the perfect rig for Golem Gals. I don’t like the hot pink straps as they show dirt far too easily, but burgundy does a good job at high stains and Carolina mud. Heck I would even settle for burnt orange to match the little Golem Guy in the logo. I am a girl who likes color!

Good Luck and let us know what you decide to get! Since I can't purchase new scuba toys every week it is fun to live through others!

Leah

 

[halocline]

The decision about a steel vs aluminum plate depends on how much weight you need diving with the rig you're planning on. Factors include your exposure suit and tank buoyancy. About the only time it's not advantageous to use a steel plate is when you would need less than 6lbs (more or less) of weight. The most common scenario for that would be someone using a thin wetsuit in warm water with a heavy steel tank. Often divers using double steels in warm water are better off with an AL plate.

Since California diving is fairly cold water, it's unlikely that you'd be better off with an AL plate. But, if you could post the approximate buoyancy of your wetsuit, or at least what thickness it is, the type of tank you'll be using (most rentals are AL80s) and maybe what your current weight requirement is, I'm sure someone will help you determine a ballpark figure for the weight you might need with a steel plate. Tobin at DSS is very experienced at estimating your weight requirements and your lift requirements, which is important because you want to choose the smallest wing you need for lift.

In terms of getting a deal, you might get on ebay for a plate/harness kit, scour the sales for a good wing (scubatoys has good deals on oxycheq wings) and build up the rig that way. Or you could get a package from DSS (or elsewhere) which is often cheaper than buying individual parts. I don;t know anything about the Golem gear stuff, but lots of people like it. Hammerhead makes nice plates at a reasonable cost, then you're just looking for the wing. The "hidden" costs would be a STA (single tank adapter) and cam bands; don't forget to include those in your pricing. Many wing/plate combinations do best with a STA. The DSS wings are designed to work without one.

There's a lot of discussion about the virtues/vices of the STA. The simplest factor IMO is this: most wings bolt onto the plate right on the ridge in the center. Therefore, there are two grommets with boltheads in them on the ridge, exactly where you will attach the tank. When you cinch the tank down on a set up like this, the tank is actually resting on the grommets only, not the plate. This can be a little unstable, but it seems to vary from wing to wing. The DSS and some other set ups don't use the grommets to bolt the wing to the plate, and so can be very stable without the STA.

Lots of people will chime in with opinions about this, if they're not already sick of arguing about it! There are other factors regarding the STA, which I'm sure we'll hear about soon.

Edit; it looks like Tobin's already chimed in while I was typing!

 

[Peter_C]

TDL has always treated me right, and they post deals under the "Hot Deals" section of this board all the time. Quality of gear is top notch.
http://tdl.divebiz.net/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=20

We just got back from a weekend in Monterey. Fun place to dive, but we usually dive closer to home here on the North Coast.

 

[ocean chemist it]

Hi Tobin,

Thanks so much for helping. The suit i'm using is being loaned to me. It is a 7mm oceanic farmer john, plus a 7mm shorty with sleeves. I have purchased all 7mm hood, booties and gloves as well. This suit seems to fit pretty good, although i'm sure at some point i'll want something personally fitted. However, coming from another gear-intensive sport (skydiving), I tend to lean toward a well-fitted harness as my first piece of important gear to have. I don't like the feel of things falling off of my shoulders and not fitting properly.

"Given that you will be diving in fairly cold water you will almost certainly benefit from the ballast that SS plate offers, one of the key features of a BackPlate and wing is the ability to move ~6 lbs off your waist and on to your back, helps with horizontal trim. "

Sorry if this is a bad question, but why is it that the cold water would make me want more weight? It is higher density so It will be harder to sink?

"Keep in mind that the move to doubles involves big $$, Drysuit, couple sets of doubles, 3-5 regs (or more) training etc. The cost of another ~$300 wing when you are ready to make that jump is a small piece of the puzzle. "

Ah, this I did not know. We'll forget that for now, then.

"You also need to be able to compensate for a fully compressed wetsuit, and if we assume your suit will will be +22 lbs, the most it can loose is 22 lbs. That menas you need a wing with at least 22 lbs of lift to compensate for the potential loss of buoyancy from compression of your suit. "

Ok, so my suit will be compressed and lose any gas bubbles imbedded in the fabric when i'm low, thereby losing buoyancy? Or, do we calculate that soaking wet it is 22lb, and that it will be compressed so I won't have the water weight? I know i'm missing something, please elaborate if you don't mind.

Thanks,
Angela

 

[UnderSeaBumbleBee]

Sorry if this is a bad question, but why is it that the cold water would make me want more weight? It is higher density so It will be harder to sink?

Colder water means thicker wet suit or dry suit with thermal proction on underneath. The more exposure protection the more buoyant you are. If you dive in warm water with just a rig and bathing suit you will need very little if any extra weight to sink.