Dammit!!!!

[neevo]

Had my trusty AP Diving Buddy Commando BC serviced the other day and whilst it looks brand new, the bladder apparently isn't passing a strict inspection (losing half the pressure over an hour). It's not a problem under water apparently so I'll dive it a bit more but it's got me looking at BP/W's.

I've fallen in love with the Dive Rite Stainless Backplate and Transplate harness and now I'm looking for an excuse to go towards a more streamlined setup.

Just buying a drysuit too, so need to try and see how I can sneak some extra purchases into the house

 

[Zef]

I can't speak for the transplate harness but I have a dive rite ss backplate and hogarthian harness and love it. I had a failure of my bc which was in otherwise great shape but the failure was terminal. I went with a BP/W so that my setup would be more rugged, modular, and repairable.

I would recommend taking a look at the dss wings if you are going to be diving a single tank....I like the way the dss wings can be put on/removed from the back plate without having to unthread the tank straps.

-Z

 

[Alastor]

Go definitely for a BP/W, you'll never regret the choice. hapy diving.

 

[neevo]

Good to know about the DSS wing Zef. Had my eye on one too. Do you have any pics you can share?

 

[rongoodman]

The SS back plate sounds good, the Transplate harness not so much. Start with a simpler(and cheaper) one-piece harness. If it doesn't work out for some reason, you won't be out a lot of cash in switching to something else.

 

[Hoag]

If you go with a "simpler(and cheaper) one-piece harness" as @rongoodman suggested above, the webbing will cost you about $20. If you find that it still isn't comfortable for you, then you can add something like the Scubapro Shoulder Pads if you need (want) them for about another $20 and you are still at a significantly lower cost than a harness system.

 

[rhwestfall]

sound advice. the only time(s) the transplate harness really shines is (1) schlepping tanks for l-o-n-g distances on land, (2) significant shoulder issues that limit ability to get in/out of the harness. my DSS plates have the glide harness adapter to allow me to loosen one side to ease getting in/out, and I find that beneficial. if you are barrel chested, you might want a harness with a pivot ring (but not the quick release) as it puts the harness in the correct orientation that webbing will not achieve.

 

[Zef]

Good to know about the DSS wing Zef. Had my eye on one too. Do you have any pics you can share?

I personally have the dive rite voyager xt wing...but the recommendation is to remove the wing from the plate during transportation and storage to prevent undue wear and tear and the possibility of damage. The dss singles wing make this really easy. The square spaces slide over the cam bands and there are molded rubber tangs that steady it on the back plate. With the dive rite wing the cam band must be unthreaded to slip the wing off. The wing just sandwiches and is held in place between the tank and the backplate unless you secure it to the backplate with bolts....the bolts are just one more obstacle in getting the wing off for transport.

I don't regret my purchase...I paid a $60 extra for the xt version of the dive rite wing which supposedly has a lifetime guarantee instead of a 2 year guarantee. I do think though that I would lean towards the dss design if I was to make the purchase again.

 

[rhwestfall]

additionally, the DR wing has no roll control. OxyCheq, DSS, HOG, & Deep6 (maybe others?) have an integral STA.

 

[guruboy]

Find the leak first. It might not be the bladder itself but one of the valves.