Difference in backplates?

[Scubadent]

Ok folks, before I joined this site I was researching traditional back inflation BC's, but now all the discussion I've read about BP/harness has got me to thinking about purchasing this type of BC. What are your thoughts out there about the different vendors of this equipment? IE- Halcyon, Dive Rite, OMS. Any favorites among these? Background info - exclusively a single tank rec diver (for the moment) who would very much like to keep all my possibilities open for the future. Most likely to undertake dry suit wreck diving in the future. :cold:

 

[TexasMike]

Though I don't own one (yet) I have been shown OMS . The OMS I liked a lot due to it having a "softer" edge (IOW, it has been de-burred and ground to having a slight chamfer), and more holes drilled through along the outter edges to allow clipping of gear.

 

[roakey]

scubadent,

I don't have any direct experience with the OMS or the Dive Rite, but there's not much you can do wrong with a backplate (the first was reputed to be hammered out of a road sign).

I own a Halcyon, the Scubapro appears to be a clone of the halcyon but it doesn’t have all the holes around the periphery (but it has enough for the Halcyon pocket/pad). The best deal out there is the FredT backplate which comes sharp so you have to spend some time and elbow grease to radius all the edges.

My only concern about the FredT is the dorsal is quite deep which might cause a problem for a V-weight when diving doubles but I should be able to determine once and for all if it’ll be a problem in about three weeks.

Though there’s not much that can be done wrong with a backplate, there’s plenty that can go wrong with the harness and wings. For the harness KISS – one piece weight belt webbing. You MUST use a crotch strap. Don’t worry, correctly adjusted you’ll never know it there. No more cinching your cummerbund up to the point you can’t breathe just to keep the BC down. Halcyon’s the only one that makes a wing with the correct length inflator hose. It’s short, so by lifting it up slightly you’ll siphon the air out of the wing when you want to dump.

Roak

 

[Bob3]

I'm going to be giving out FredT BPs for X-mas this year. Good price & they'll accept just about any wing made. With a little shopping, you can wind up with a complete rig for well under $200.

Not all BPs are created equal; I've seen some lightweight steel ones that have material so thin there's no way they won't chafe through the webbing in a very brief amount of time. These were being sold by some of the well known manufacturers too. Pretty colors, but you'll need 100 yards of webbing every year. With BPs like that, a good stitched attachment with chafing protection may be preferable to chewing through the webbing every few dives (I'll pause here for ROAK to re-compose himself ).

In short, look closely at the slots. If they have a nice radius, you're good to go. If they need dressing, factor that into the purchase price. If the material is thin enough to use as a cheese cutter, pass on it or get used to replacing your webbing regularly.

BPs have been in use since the early '60s, tho they didn't put wings on 'em for several years.
The Nemrod tanks sold through Sears & Roebuck catalogs had a backpack that were almost identical to BPs in use today.

 

[tombiowami]

I have not used any but the Halcyon rig, but do love it and completely recomment it. As on another bp comfort thread going on here, I will say the solid piece of steel or alum is comfy without any extra padding. I think DR and OMS add the padding so it looks more comfy above the water, but I don't see it doing much under the water.

I would also add my observations that many people that originally bought or used a lot (me included) the back inflation BCs soon after saw the light of bp/wings. I completely agree with the DIR folks that the traditional bp/wings is the best rig for a first day in the water OW student to the 20 hour dives in Wakulla. Bouancy, trim, finning, etc are all easier (IMO) with the bp/wings.

I will plug the Halcyon here as Extreme Exposure will let you use any of their products for a month risk free, you just pay shipping, which from Fla. to NC was 15 or so each way. I asked about a scratch and dent discount on stuff that gets sent back and they were a bit dumfounded since only one thing had been sent back. They were also great at customer service. I dealt with Dave and Tamara. In fact, I ordered and used the 27 lb. wing and thought I might want the 36 lb. one, they would have switched the used one for a new one with no questions asked!


Tommy

 

[detroit diver]

I've got a Halcyon in stainless steel and a FredT in aluminum. Both are made extremely well. FYI, for an extra $15.00, Fred will sand down the edges for you so that they don't abrade the webbing. It's worth it-he does a nice job.

 

[Lost Yooper]

I use the Halcyon, and I'm very happy with it, but Fred T has the best bang for the buck.

Mike

 

[roakey]

Originally posted by Bob3
With BPs like that, a good stitched attachment with chafing protection may be preferable to chewing through the webbing every few dives (I'll pause here for ROAK to re-compose himself ).

Ok, that's it, you're banished to a rear pew.

Roak

 

[100days-a-year]

Dive-Rite S/S BP with OMS STA for singles.I have bladders from all over.Halcyon has hands down the best bladders.

 

[herman]

Do any of you know where I can get some info on the FredT backplates? I have see them mentioned a couple of times but as yet I have not found any info.

What I am thinking about is putting together a low cost,light weight and small size rig together. It's use would be strickly for travel to warm water shallow reefs, no tech/wreck diving or thick wetsuits. Something along the lines of an alum backplate with the smallest lift bladder I can find. Any ideas on locating a small lift badder? Most of what I can find is 40 to 100 lbs and I just don't see the need for 40+ lbs of lift when all the diving I intend to use it for is with an AL-80 and 6 lbs of lead.