Construction of a bp/w....

[ScubaMan2025]

Ok, so as i look through all the sites selling back inflation bp/w's i have determined that, it may be cheapest for me to construct my own by purchasing the parts through different web sites. So just one quick question, since this is my first time purchasing a bp/w...if i buy the Dive-Rite transpac and then buy a trek wing (both seperate sales) is that all i need in order to have the bp/w? do i need like, *shrug* screws? STA? (yeah, i plan on diving singles for awhile). Not very familiar with this so any help/info would be awsome. thanks!

-Scubaman2025-

 

[mahjong]

Transpac is not a backplate--it is a soft-backed harness that does take wings. For diving singles with the Transpac plus Trek wing you would need no hardware (no screws or STA). If you were to buy a genuine backplate (SS or Aluminum) you would need the harness webbing and some D-rings plus a waist buckle (harness webbing plus harness hardware can be purchased as a package in a few different configurations--not very expensive)--and if you are diving singles only with a BP/harness plus the Trek wing, you would not necessarily need any additional hardware (screws, STA), as long as your BP had cam slots in the spine (see www.diveriteexpress.com and click on BCs for details). But I and most people here would probably recommend going with a bolted-down STA--but technically speaking it is not absolutely necessary for singles. Good luck.

 

[StSomewhere]

Yes the Transpac is not a BP/W, though it uses some parts of one.

For a real BP/W that's also reasonably priced, start here:
http://www.deepseasupply.com/
http://www.northeastscubasupply.com/
http://www.salvodiving
http://www.golemgear.com

 

[Halthron]

www.hammerheadscuba.com
www.oxycheq.com

 

[*Floater*]

http://www.kidspot.org/personal/scuba/bpsetup.html

 

[double80s]

Have you had a chance to try the Transpac or a standard backplate? Personally, I love diving with a backplate/wing. It suits the diving I do. I have quite a few buddies who use a Transpac as well.

Before you go spending your money, you might want to try and arrange to borrow someone's so you can try both out. If you plan on diving doubles, just go with the backplate.

You mentioned "purchasing the parts through different web sites", but it appears you are purchasing the same brand, DiveRite. Are you not able to get competitive pricing on the DiveRite products from one dealer? What made you decide on DiveRite?

Happy diving.

 

[kidspot]

Here's a list of parts for putting together your own BP/wing http://www.kidspot.org/personal/scuba/bpsetup.html

besides the Plate and Wing themselves that is
which is found here http://www.kidspot.org/personal/scuba/bpwing.html

Aloha, Tim

 

[Spoon]

www.hammerheadscuba.com
www.oxycheq.com

i knew i saw that hammerhead somewhere yours is the hammerhead with the handles on the plate right?

 

[Mandy3206]

The Trans Pack isn't a BP as mentioned before, The main benefeit from the Trans Pack is its compactness, but for rock solid stability the BP is the way to go.
As mentioned before you may want or not the STA.
IMHO, the main advantage of the STA is that it separates the tank from the diver just enough so the divers head doesn't hit the 1rst stage (a common complaint of Trans Pack users since the tank sits next to the body of the diver), added weight and a bit more stability is a bonus.
With a BP with the Single Tank camband slots, the tank may not hit the divers head due to clearance offered by the rib in the center BP, so in most cases, STA may not be needed for clearance.

If you want Dive Rite gear, you may want to check www.diveriteexpress.com for competitve prices and super fast shipping not to mention great service.

Also DSS gear has many innovations that are worth looking into for first time buyers www.deepseasupply.com

Any way, look at the top manufacturers and decide what's best for you, here are a few:

www.diverite.com
www.omsdive.com
www.hammerheadscuba.com
www.oxycheq.com
www.halcyon.net
www.zeagle.com

Decide what you want and then shop around for the best price, or better yet start another thread (war) here on SB to have the opinions of other divers.

Enjoy the process of selecting your gear, it's very fun..............

 

[SadiesMom]

One thing I might caution you about, though....while bolt spacing between brands of BPs and wings may be standard, be careful if you intend to get a slotted BP and put your cam bands through it without using a STA especially if you're planning on mixing brands! The spacing for cam bands is NOT always standard! (I learned this one the hard way ).

I got a DR SS BP and Halcyon Pioneer wing (which has a built-in STA)...I'd planned on bolting on the wing, then just putting the cam bands through the BP slots and I wouldn't need a STA, right? WRONG!!! The cam band slots on the BP and the holes on the wing were WAY off from each other...even though the bolt holes on both the BP and wing were the standard 11" apart. Bummer! The only way to get my cam bands on was to buy a STA and put them through there, then bolt THEM onto the whole thing....another investment that I hadn't wanted to make - oh...and I had to removed the internal STA from the Pioneer wing! (luckily, the person I'd bought it from dove it that way, so it wasn't hard to do that).

I just wanted to give you my experience with mixing brands so you think about this stuff in advance....it would be wonderful if everything were TRULY interchangable, but it's really not in practice....