Dive Rite ABS plastic Back Plate

[r37691]

I must agree with the above posts. Your LDS sounds like they ordered a few too many ABS BP's.

 

[msandler]

if you travel abs may be an option. In NJ you will appreciate the weight of SS.
ps. I would let that LDS fill my tanks let alone provide guidance on setting up doubles.

 

[pdoege]

It works great. No heat difference between the steel and ABS that I can tell.

I have heard reports of ABS plates splitting and I can see that happening if the bolts are over tightened.

If you are going to be diving dry in cold water, you probably want a steel BP. It all depends, but steel is a safe choice.

Used ABS plates are practically free, so you can just buy one and experiment with it.

Peter

 

[Mandy3206]

I think that the only issue is weight, my SS BP shaved 6# from my weight system, I used 12#, now I use 6# and it's rock solid on my back!!

 

[blueaway]

I've read several comments about people having "heard" of plastic plates cracking/breaking. Is this a reality or a sales gimmick? Does anyone have first hand knowledge that they would not mind sharing? I've met one diver who said he has been diving tech with an ABS plate for 10 years without any problems. (Have they been out ten years?)

I would also like to find out the difference between Kydex and ABS?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Boogie711]

I dive the dark, cold waters of northern North America and a) any argument about thermal conductivity is just absolute BS. Does he not think that being surrounded by 1 degree water isn't a tad bit of an issue, much less whether or not it's AL, steel, ABS or pure horsecrap?

b) In my drysuit and full undies, I'm 6'4 and 220... and with my steel E8-130's, I don't "need the extra weight" of a SS plate. I use an aluminum plate and I'm fine. Mind you, that is in fresh water, but I don't imagine it would be much different otherwise.

 

[BigJetDriver]

I've read several comments about people having "heard" of plastic plates cracking/breaking. Is this a reality or a sales gimmick? Does anyone have first hand knowledge that they would not mind sharing? I've met one diver who said he has been diving tech with an ABS plate for 10 years without any problems. (Have they been out ten years?)

I would also like to find out the difference between Kydex and ABS?

Thanks for any help.

Try www.deepseasupply.com

Ask for Tobin. He can help.

Cheers!

 

[simbrooks]

Weight for travel isnt all that much different between SS (regular 6#), AL (1.5#) and ABS (~1#) is marginal. The reason the ABS will break if stressed in colder water/environment is that plastic becomes more brittle as it gets colder, i recall tests in chemistry/physics classes doing a Charpy test where you worked out the impact/breaking stress for materials at different temps - plastic was terrible in that test compared to metals. Add to that additional stress from overtightened bolts and you have a nice cocktail for a fracture. Just get the AL plate, particularly if you dont need the extra weight when in your doubles and drysuit.

 

[cool_hardware52]

I've read several comments about people having "heard" of plastic plates cracking/breaking. Is this a reality or a sales gimmick? Does anyone have first hand knowledge that they would not mind sharing? I've met one diver who said he has been diving tech with an ABS plate for 10 years without any problems. (Have they been out ten years?)

I would also like to find out the difference between Kydex and ABS?

Thanks for any help.

Blueaway,

We selected kydex instead of ABS becasue of it's greater impact resistance.

You can learn more at http://www.kydex.com/index.asp

Kydex is frequently used for handgun holsters and knife sheaths. In these apps the goods are frequently subjected to rough handling.

As correctly pointed out in this thread all plastics becomes more brittle at low temps, but Kxdex retains a significant degree of impact resistance in the ranges that divers will encounter, i.e. ~ 32 F or 0 C and up.

Point loads in plastic (or aluminum for that matter) can precipitate cracks. A lock washer under a wing nut cranked onto bare plastic could easily start a crack, that's why we reinforce the loaded areas of our Kydex plate with stainless.


Regards,




Tobin

 

[The Chairman]

Tobin has made me a believer in his backplate... and his harness. He has stainless steel reinforcements throughout the plate, so you don't have to worry about cracking it. His harness is far easier on the body than the traditional harness.