Dive Rite Transpac(II) vs Scubapro S-tek

[mahjong]

Hi.

I've read through many past threads here and have noticed a trend. The Dive Rite Transpac(II) gets glowing praise from people, even ranked #1 by some in a poll. On the other hand, the Scubapro S-tek typically gets trashed, with a couple of exceptions.

From what I have heard--and from what I can read--the Transpac and the S-tek are very similar soft-pac BCs--and the wings available from DR and SP are not so dramatically different either. I have only dove the S-tek, so I can't really compare. One difference I am aware of, however, is weight pockets: I do use the DR pockets on my other SS BP setup and I like them very much--they are less bulky than the Scubapro integrated weight pockets. But then the Scubapro pockets are very secure and work nicely too.

Beyond this, I'm not sure why people have such sharply different views about these two BCs, which otherwise appear to me to be pretty similar on the whole.

Can anyone explain or comment--esp those of you who might be familiar with both? Or, why are Transpacs so appealing to those people who use them? And vice versa for the S-tek.

Mahjong

P.s., If anyone out there might be interested in selling their Trav-tek, please PM me.

 

[Vie]

The Scubapro X-Tek and S-Tek harness (differences: different colour and more metal components, such as the “belt buckle” on the S-Tek) are copies of the Dive Rite Transpac I. The Transpac II has better designed metal fittings and a much better weight-integrate system, as well as small improvements all around—it is now offered in three colours. The Transpac II fits better and is more adjustable than the S-Tek due to differently-sized adjustable/interchangeable components.

Scubapro introduced the X-Tek system after taking over Soniform (a maker of “tec” BCs) in the 1990s. Scubapro offered many different wings (as well as a bp) with the X-Tek system but only three wings with the S-Tek (and the largest one was quickly discontinued). The S-Tek family was finally allowed to die this year.

 

[Vie]

Just read the rather strange “ScubaLab Review: Backplate Buoyancy Systems” in the July 2005 issue of Scuba Diving magazine. It appears that Dive Rite is now offering a Halcyon-style “stainless steel” power inflator with their wings (picture on page 76). This would make the Transpac II’s inflator much easier to use than the rather small Scubapro “Balanced Power Inflator” on the S-Tek’s wings.

 

[Vie]

It appears that Dive Rite is now offering a Halcyon-style “stainless steel” power inflator with their wings

Oops—have been informed by Dive Rite that the inflator buttons are NOT stainless steel:

Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2005 10:42 PM
Subject: Re: Dive Rite “stainless steel” power inflator

Hello,
We have been shipping this “new style” for many months now. The button is not stainless. It is silver plastic. It is a “DIR” compliant power inflator. BC2055-S is the part number.

Regards,
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