Dammit!!!!

[neevo]

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.

Agree the transplate harness is not simple or cheap, however I am not sold on the super simple setups. I prefer the look of the shoulder pads etc that the transplate harness has. Coming from a BCD I like the comfort of having those straps over the shoulders and I'm not sure I'd get that from a super simple webbing system, however I'll bear it in mind as it's easily half the cost for a simple webbing setup vs the transplate option.

 

[neevo]

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

That's highly likely as the service centre couldn't pull one of the dump valves apart as they feared they'd break it. I suspect this is the cause and I'm sure I could get it repaired at AP for a lot less than a BP/W, however I'm in Australia these days and for shipping I'd probably be half way to the BP/W already, plus I really like the modular way you can build up a BP/W if any parts wear out, break.

 

[rongoodman]

A few years back on in Bonaire I forgot my wetsuit one day and was diving in a one-piece Hog harness over a T-shirt without issue. It's hard for me to see why you'd need additional padding over normal exposure protection.

 

[neevo]

A few years back on in Bonaire I forgot my wetsuit one day and was diving in a one-piece Hog harness over a T-shirt without issue. It's hard for me to see why you'd need additional padding over normal exposure protection.

I think it's me struggling with the concept of going from a BC to a harness, where one has bulk and the other is a simple webbing. I think I need to give the harness a go in the real world and see if I find the system too "free".

I like the hug a backpack BC gives.

 

[guruboy]

A few years back on in Bonaire I forgot my wetsuit one day and was diving in a one-piece Hog harness over a T-shirt without issue. It's hard for me to see why you'd need additional padding over normal exposure protection.

Because sometimes you might be wearing close to 30# and the straps can really dig in

 

[rhwestfall]

A sleeve from an departed wet suit or the $20 pads are a great option to the very costly Transpac (and yes, I did originally get one, and regret it now). A bunch of "bulk" with little benefit over a basic harness (or add some cheap pads)....

YMMV

 

[seaseadee]

Just a thought... for a $20 investment, why don't you try a simple harness first? If you feel like you need the extra stuff you're only out the $20.

 

[stuartv]

If you use ScubaPro-style quick release tank straps, you can remove most any wing without unthreading anything. DGX has them for $20 each. I have those and I sold my DSS wing, kept my Hog wing, and haven't missed the DSS wing even a tiny bit.

I have dived double steel 120s in a 3/2 wetsuit, with a single piece Hogarthian harness. I never noticed any discomfort that made me wish I had padding on the harness straps.