leadweight
Contributor
Tank height is also an issue on the BP setup. The typical single tank adaptor (STA) positions the upper camband very high. Even with the tank as far down as it will go the tank is very high. On the Halcyon Pioneer 36# right that I rented, this was annoying. The wing (old style Pioneer) hit my head constantly. I had to fold it down to get it out of the way. It was completely unacceptable. The newer Pioneer wing mounts lower, but I doubt that I would be satisfied with this.
Note that tank height is an issue with all softpack BC's, not just BP's. The Transpac is definitely an improvement over a BP in that regard although it is an issue that you should check out if considering any softpack or BP.
From what I am hearing on this board, the built in STA on the new Pioneer wings does not work all that well. It ought to tell a reasonable person that any BC that needs and adaptor to use a single tank was designed for doubles in the first place.
I know the majority of those posting here report no troubles with yor BP's, but I bet each one of you went through a period of adaptation to its quirks. I call this the learning curve. Most other gear just conforms to the diver, with a BP, the diver conforms to it.
Let me make it clear, I have no issues with the safety of backplates, reliability, streamlining, cosmetics and trim improvements. The only performance issue that I have is the distance of the tank from the diver's back. My gripes are about comfort and convenience.
If you are happy with your BP, I am glad you are happy, but I am just as glad that a diver with a jacket is happy with his jacket. I am not here to help out Dive Rite (but I like my TP2) or hurt Halcyon (they build top quality products) or anyone else who manufactures BP's. It is just that there are two sides to this story.
This thread is taking the usual course. Someone asked if a TP2 was DIR. The answer was no, only a BP with continuous webbing is DIR. That should have been it, IMO. As usual the crowd jumps in to convert the unsuspecting newbie. I put in my demurral. Most of the others who share my opinion have gotten tired of this nonsense, and so will I eventually. A few rebut me. The record is made for posterity. No one got wet, what a shame.
Note that tank height is an issue with all softpack BC's, not just BP's. The Transpac is definitely an improvement over a BP in that regard although it is an issue that you should check out if considering any softpack or BP.
From what I am hearing on this board, the built in STA on the new Pioneer wings does not work all that well. It ought to tell a reasonable person that any BC that needs and adaptor to use a single tank was designed for doubles in the first place.
I know the majority of those posting here report no troubles with yor BP's, but I bet each one of you went through a period of adaptation to its quirks. I call this the learning curve. Most other gear just conforms to the diver, with a BP, the diver conforms to it.
Let me make it clear, I have no issues with the safety of backplates, reliability, streamlining, cosmetics and trim improvements. The only performance issue that I have is the distance of the tank from the diver's back. My gripes are about comfort and convenience.
If you are happy with your BP, I am glad you are happy, but I am just as glad that a diver with a jacket is happy with his jacket. I am not here to help out Dive Rite (but I like my TP2) or hurt Halcyon (they build top quality products) or anyone else who manufactures BP's. It is just that there are two sides to this story.
This thread is taking the usual course. Someone asked if a TP2 was DIR. The answer was no, only a BP with continuous webbing is DIR. That should have been it, IMO. As usual the crowd jumps in to convert the unsuspecting newbie. I put in my demurral. Most of the others who share my opinion have gotten tired of this nonsense, and so will I eventually. A few rebut me. The record is made for posterity. No one got wet, what a shame.