Dive Rite - Transpac or Transplate??

[rico68]

Here's my situation...

Recreational diver. 90% of diving will be single 119s. Want the ability to switch to doubles when the situation calls for it. Cold water, using both a 7mm wet and a drysuit as necessary. Not really looking to go heavy tech.

Currently diving a vest and looking to step up to new BC.

I'm looking at the Transpac and the Transplate. I've watched all Dive Rite's videos on the Transpac, and heard Lamar promise it can be rigged for any diving situation there is. Those on this board who own it seem to give it rave reviews. The Transplate seems to have its supporters as well, but I also read of the heavy wear where the webbing mates to the plate. Price is pretty darn close to the same either way.

Keep in mind, I'm not asking about wings for singles/doubles. I'm already convinced I'll have a singles wing and a doubles wing.

Given the diving I outlined above, which would be a better fit for me? The Transpac or the Transplate?

 

[CompuDude]

TransPlate all the way. You dive in cold water, so the extra weight of the plate will be a very good thing, and help take some weight off your belt. Save yourself some bucks, too, and just get the standard harness and the plate. The extras included on the TransPlate just get in the way. Actually, if you want I'll sell you my old TransPlate harness (XL), used about 50 dives and in perfect shape!

I dive single 100s and single 119s, currently, and am about to make the leap to doubles.

 

[Tavi]

Go with the Backplate.

My first BC was a Trans-Pac II. now all my diving (singles and doubles) is with a BP and wing. It's more stable.

 

[djanni]

I'm sure you would like either one.

I like the TransPAC system better. I think it's less hassle and more comfortable than the plate. Especially considering you may only use it 1 out of 10 dives.

 

[RICHinNC]

Ditto on the plate.

 

[wunat]

I second the idea on the backplate setup. You can also look into using a webbing system as well if you haven't already consider that.

My journey into a BP+Wing system begain with a TransPlate. After a few dives, I tried a continuous webbing and never look back. I only wish I could have went ahead with the webbing system in the first place. But anyway, that's my experience on this.

BTW, if you go with the TransPlate or standard webbing setup, I strongly recommend to add a crotch strap to the harness. It adds stability to the whole system.

Hope this helps.

 

[battles2a5]

Another vote for the Transplate. I was in the same boat as you, but I plan on going to doubles soon and I think the BP will be a much more stable platform. The weighting on the transplate (SS BP) is great as well. I don't wear any lead at all in warm water. I have the deluxe harness at the moment but will be moving to the continuous harness soon. I'm not concerned with the failure points associated w/ the deluxe harness, it's just a PITA, comes out of adjustment, and you are always looking for places to tuck away excess webbing.

 

[CompuDude]

I'm sure you would like either one.

I like the TransPAC system better. I think it's less hassle and more comfortable than the plate. Especially considering you may only use it 1 out of 10 dives.

Unless you're wearing a T shirt, how is a plate less comfortable than the Transpac?

For cold water diving, it's not a question of NEEDING the plate unless you're doing doubles. It's a question of a plate providing the extra ballast to get some lead off your belt.

In the water, with singles, the two systems dive nearly identically. With the plate, you have more options, and carry less weight on your belt. It's also pretty much bullet-proof, impossible to hurt, and easier to repair in a pinch should you manage to accidentally cut something. Sounds like a win to me.

 

[ccso434]

I have done most of my dives with a rental transpac. I just got my transplate setup and can not wait until this weekend to get it wet. From the experienced divers I know, they all dive the transplate. Most of them dive singles and doubles and switching can be done in just a short amount of time, with no tools. The transplate setup will mean that you must wear some type of wetsuit, but in the cold water you will all ways have one on. In the warm water and hot summer time, I will use a lumber pad and no suit, or a dive skin depending on the location of my dive.

 

[tedwhiteva]

No contest - transplate. Save lead weight, at least as if not more comfortable with DS or heavy rubber - the tank stays put, especially a heavy one like a 119 or 120.