Difference between Expensive & Cheaper BP/W rigs

[Pearlman]

Thread’s a little dated but I’ve been pleased with my XDeep Zen aluminum plate. The use of a Y crotch strap is a step up in comfort from another plate I had used.

If you can find another option that still supports the Y crotch strap it might be worth a look at.

Curious - There is only so much gap between human legs in male anatomy. The Y straps still have to converge right under a man’s “Jewels” and give that squeeze with the crotch strap pulled up to the navel. I am trying to understand why everyone says this. I haven’t dived with a standard BP/W with a non-Y crotch strap so I am wondering… do divers with these type of rigs always surface a little blue in the face?

 

[Wibble]

A single 50mm/2inch crotch strap in softer webbing is perfectly comfortable even when using a scooter to pull you.

The 'Y' crotch strap is just a standard unnecessary "improvement" beloved of marketing gimps.

 

[Shabaday]

Curious - There is only so much gap between human legs in male anatomy. The Y straps still have to converge right under a man’s “Jewels” and give that squeeze with the crotch strap pulled up to the navel. I am trying to understand why everyone says this. I haven’t dived with a standard BP/W with a non-Y crotch strap so I am wondering… do divers with these type of rigs always surface a little blue in the face?

I have had zero issues with the Y strap on my Zen and my Ghost. I also use them for DPV so I don't use an additional harness to clip the DPV too.

 

[Wibble]

I have had zero issues with the Y strap on my Zen and my Ghost. I also use them for DPV so I don't use an additional harness to clip the DPV too.

Ditto with a single strap.

 

[dmaziuk]

Curious - There is only so much gap between human legs in male anatomy. The Y straps still have to converge right under a man’s “Jewels” and give that squeeze with the crotch strap pulled up to the navel. I am trying to understand why everyone says this. I haven’t dived with a standard BP/W with a non-Y crotch strap so I am wondering… do divers with these type of rigs always surface a little blue in the face?

That depends on whether you're a regular human male, or Randy Marsh:

 

[Thunder Struck]

I find the Y strap more comfortable, but a single strap is not a show stopper. It's like having heated seats on a cold morning. A nice to have but not necessary.

ETA: Especially when diving without a wetsuit when there's more direct contact with the strap.

 

[Wibble]

Curious - There is only so much gap between human legs in male anatomy. The Y straps still have to converge right under a man’s “Jewels” and give that squeeze with the crotch strap pulled up to the navel. I am trying to understand why everyone says this. I haven’t dived with a standard BP/W with a non-Y crotch strap so I am wondering… do divers with these type of rigs always surface a little blue in the face?

Suppose it largely depends how cold the water is. Certain things shrivel up when it's cold

You also wear thicker under trousers and a drysuit, so there's a certain degree of padding.

 

[dmaziuk]

Well I expect if they hooked my up by the backplate and winched me out of the water, I would find the crotch strap uncomfortable indeed. As this hasn't ever happened to me, I'm yet to experience the dreaded blue-in-the-face-squozen-jewels syndrome.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Suppose it largely depends how cold the water is. Certain things shrivel up when it's cold

I would recommend against dropping an activated hot pocket in your shorts prior to kitting up.