Dive Rite TRanspac II

[aaen]

Curous about this BC. I really like the look of it, not really into these jacket stye bcs, I find them more of a nuisance. Anyways I am planning on getting into wreck diving, and possibly cave diving in the next year or so. Wanted to kow if this would be a good bc to get, or should I look arounf at some other bcs first.

Thanks

Steve Aaen

 

[Wendy]

Insted of the transpac, how bout just a harness made from one piece of 2" webbing and a backplate. Its simplier in construction, I think, than the transpac and may even end up being cheaper. I was up in cave country this weekend and saw a harness and Al backplate for $90. Of course this doesn't include the wing. Are you looking at diving single or double tanks?

Whatever you decide to get, its a good idea to go out there and try it out first and try a couple other set ups and make a comparison and then make your decision. The last thing you want to do is end up saying, "Man wish I had bought that other set up". Just buy what you like, no one else has to dive it but you.

 

[aaen]

Thanks for the advice. I am planning on eventually diving two tanks at a time, but I wanted something that was upgadable to two or more tanks for later on. I am going to be looking at other BC in the near future, just am interested in Diverites gear. We used it for my certification, and I absolutely loved my reg, my BC was an old sherwood, and I absolutely hated it. Just didn't feel comfortable having air pushing in on me from the front of the vest. Was rather uncomfortable. We had an old dive rite bc I checked it out a bit in the pool but it was just to small to wear with a wetsuit on. But I like dit in the pool though.

Steve Aaen

 

[Wendy]

Diverite makes backplates, and wings suitable for doubles. The harness is just webbing and some hardware (I'm not talking about that deluxe harness they have, too many unnecessary bells and whistles on it for me). There are several company's that make wings for single tanks such as Halcyon's pioneer wings and oxycheq. Diverite makes a travel wing, but I am not fond of it.

Here is a picture of the harness I am talking about (doens't have to be Halcyon) its just the only pic I can find).

http://www.halcyon.net/mc/harness.shtml


In my opinion it is best to have 2 wings, one to use with doubles and one to use with single tanks. The backplate (bp) and harness can be the same, mine is.

 

[h2whoa]

I used the Transpac II for my intro to cave (w/single LP95) and loved it. When I used the same transpac for doubles (double LP95s), I didn't like it because it didn't seem to be that solid. Now I use a SS backplate and will never go back.

However, some cavers and wreck divers love the TPACII for doubles. I have also seen the Tpac harness modified for sidemount cave diving as well.

The most modular and upgradeable product out there for anyone wanting to ultimately move to more advanced diving is a backplate and harness. I agree with Wendy that you should get one wing for singles and another wing for doubles. I used the DR rec wing for singles and thought that it was overkill. For doubles IMO, the REC Wing is manageable but would rather use the Classic Wing for doubles. Over the past 4 years or so, there have been some changes in the technical gear market. Halcyon and now Oxycheq have great wings for single tanks, IMO much better than the current offerings of DR or OMS. I just purchased an OxyCheq for singles and will vouch for the product. Although you may wish to wait and compare the Halycon Pioneer and soon to be released Halcyon Eclipse to the OxyCheqs.

Since you are primarily interested in DR, why don't you speak directly with the DR rep in Canada. His name is John Reekie (spelling?). John is one of the most knowledgeable guys around and will give you a no bs response to honest questions.

 

[oceancrest67]

I just purchased my new Transpac II harness, weight integrated, with the Rec Wings that can be used for singles and doubles. I agree, the Travel Wing does not look up to the task. I used to dive with a jacket style bc for the past 10 years...but, now I feel it was about time to try something a bit more versatile. The modular design of the Transpac II allows greater flexibility.

 

[Conor]

I dive a TPII with travel wing for singles and it IS up to the task. I think its fantastic and love every minute.

Its no harm diving a BP/w to get a comparison. I came to the conclusion that although I intended to get more techy in the future I couldn't gaurantee it and felt that turning up to a tropical resort with a BP/W would be a bit overkill. The TPII is a very nice compromise for me.

BTW you may want to do a search as this question has been asked a few times before, and you may find some useful information.

Cheers

Conor

 

[mac_diver]

I bought the transpac and love it. If you dive mostly singles the transpac is a great bc. If you get the rec wing, the tpII makes it real easy to switch between diving singles and doubles. With the rec wing you can always buy a bp and harness and still use the rec wing with doubles if the tpII is not as stable as you would like when diving doubles. If you by a bp with a singles wing then you will need to buy a doubles wing down the road. I suggest you try both the tpII with singles and doubles and the bp with singles and doubles before buying.

 

[Gator Diver]

macdiver
good advice if you are in area where you can
rent BP/wings. Luckily I am and
was able to try out what I wanted before
buying.

 

[aaen]

Thanks for the replies guys. I am going to wait for awhile before buying a bc. I unfortunately live in an area where I am unable to rent alot of equipment to try before I buy. The closest place to go diving is roughly a 2 hour drive away, that is for good diving. I could just go in the Headpond of the dam but there is not much to see htere except for tree stumos and alot of silt. Although Ihave heard of there being a village that was left intact, but nobody is able to verify this for me.

Thanks
Steve Aaen