Comments on Recon vs wing/BP

[Buccaneer]

Here's my problem:
When I bought my first BC I had never even heard of wing/BP setups, and when I was adamant about wanting equipment I could grow into over time, the LDS sales guy sold me on the Genesis Recon BC w 75# lift as the ultimate BC that would take me as far as I wanted to go in rec or tech diving.

Now having some knowledge I really wish I would have found Scubaboard first, and went with the wing/BP setup. Don't get me wrong, I love my BC but now that I am considering moving to doubles I like the simplicity of the wing/BP configuration. While not a true DIR believer I like alot of thier ideas. So ultimately as most things it boils down to money. I can get the steel backplate and single tank adapter kit for my BC for $165- way cheaper than if I now try to build a whole wing/bp setup. I guess my question is: are there any doubles or tech divers out there who prefer a tech BC over wing/bp- and why? And anyone dead set against tech bc's? Right now I am leaning towards getting the bp for my BC rather than building a whole new rig.

 

[MechDiver]

There's another thread going on a very similiar subject in the BC forum.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I own both a back plate equipped Recon as well as a BP/wing. The Recon is very well made and the plate kit is well executed and very well finsihed although the design uses 5/16 bolts to attach the STA or doubles rather than 3/8ths and the nuts go on the tank side of the plate. This is a little non-standard but is really not a big deal as they are still on 11" centers. The STA is also a little higher profile than I would like as the nuts are on the tank side rather than the plate side but again it is not a big deal and is a non issue with doubles.

The Recon is very well made, very durable, very stable and very comfortable - quite a bit more comfortable than a BP/wing even with a deluxe or comfort harness. The D-rings are also well placed,(although not terribly adjustable. Some adjustment is possible by changing the attachment points for the shoulder strapas and waist belt.), and work well for attaching the usual deco bottles, backup lights, etc.

The recon's weight system is also well executed - a real plus if you like integrated weights.

The BP/wing has the advantage of being much more modular in design, is more mission adaptable and enables you to use a smaller aircell if you desire. You can get a redundant aircell for the Recon (for about $250-$275) but you can't get a smaller one. To it's credit however, the Recon performs very well with a single tank and I have never encountered problems with air trapping - very surprising given the 75 lb lift capacity. If you are going to dive both singles and doubles, you will need 2 wings for a BP/wing as there are really no suitable dual purpose wings out there. In contrast, the BP equipped Recon does very well with either singles or doubles.

Another advantage is that with an AL or ABS plate, the BP/wing is a lot lighter and regardless of the plate used, can be packed in a lot smaller volume.

Integrated weight options are not quite as slick for a BP/wing but I like the Dive-Rite pouches and they do an excellent job with only minor modification. I am not a fan of the OMS pouches or the Halcyon pouches.

The sales person who sold you the Recon is correct in that the Recon can do just about anything and grow with you, with the exception that it is not DIR and will never be accepted in those circles. In the end though even though I am not DIR, like my Recon, and used it for a few years with zero problems, I dive my BP/wing almost exclusively due to it's adaptability, light weight and portability.

 

[Buccaneer]

(QUOTE)There's another thread going on a very similiar subject in the BC forum.

Yes, I am aware of that, but I wanted the opinion of RECON divers specificlly, and unlike the other gentleman's post, I have already purchased my BC, so there is significant $$ involvment already that impacts the issue

 

[Buccaneer]

Thanks for the well thought out reply. You made alot of great points, and have made me feel alot better about keeping the RECON and going w/ the bp made for it. I agree with you about single tanks- I have had no issue using it w/ a single tank, and I hadn't thought about needing 2 bladders w/ a bp setup.

I own both a back plate equipped Recon as well as a BP/wing. The Recon is very well made and the plate kit is well executed and very well finsihed although the design uses 5/16 bolts to attach the STA or doubles rather than 3/8ths and the nuts go on the tank side of the plate. This is a little non-standard but is really not a big deal as they are still on 11" centers. The STA is also a little higher profile than I would like as the nuts are on the tank side rather than the plate side but again it is not a big deal and is a non issue with doubles.

The Recon is very well made, very durable, very stable and very comfortable - quite a bit more comfortable than a BP/wing even with a deluxe or comfort harness. The D-rings are also well placed,(although not terribly adjustable. Some adjustment is possible by changing the attachment points for the shoulder strapas and waist belt.), and work well for attaching the usual deco bottles, backup lights, etc.

The recon's weight system is also well executed - a real plus if you like integrated weights.

The BP/wing has the advantage of being much more modular in design, is more mission adaptable and enables you to use a smaller aircell if you desire. You can get a redundant aircell for the Recon (for about $250-$275) but you can't get a smaller one. To it's credit however, the Recon performs very well with a single tank and I have never encountered problems with air trapping - very surprising given the 75 lb lift capacity. If you are going to dive both singles and doubles, you will need 2 wings for a BP/wing as there are really no suitable dual purpose wings out there. In contrast, the BP equipped Recon does very well with either singles or doubles.

Another advantage is that with an AL or ABS plate, the BP/wing is a lot lighter and regardless of the plate used, can be packed in a lot smaller volume.

Integrated weight options are not quite as slick for a BP/wing but I like the Dive-Rite pouches and they do an excellent job with only minor modification. I am not a fan of the OMS pouches or the Halcyon pouches.

The sales person who sold you the Recon is correct in that the Recon can do just about anything and grow with you, with the exception that it is not DIR and will never be accepted in those circles. In the end though even though I am not DIR, like my Recon, and used it for a few years with zero problems, I dive my BP/wing almost exclusively due to it's adaptability, light weight and portability.

 

[Tamas]

Do you have a few pics of your Recon all decked out with the backplate and tanks? I would really like to see the setup once the plate is in, since I have wondered what it's like many times.