Dive Rite Transpac

[tbone1004]

really? That's interesting since I own quite a few different bcd's. While DSS makes a sidemount rig, they don't market it, and I don't really like it, so I certainly advocate for people to go other routes when sidemount comes up, and IF someone was doing the kind of diving that the Transpac was designed for I would recommend that, but few are. There are also those that simply want a more "normal" looking rig, and in that situation if they really don't want to go with a plate, or can't go with a plate as is the case with a lot of dive professionals *for completely ignorant reasons I might add, but it isn't usually their fault*, then the Dive Rite Hunterpac is the best integrated rig out there, and at under $400, it really is a steal if you don't want a hard plate.

As I have said on many occasions, Deep Sea Supply represents the best value in backplates and wings. No one else makes one with the same or better value, few are cheaper, none are nicer, that's it. There are other options out there, but there really isn't a good reason to buy one if you are only looking at cost/features/performance/quality. If you factor in other things like "I want to support my LDS" or "I get keyman pricing" from some other mfg, then by all means, go for it, but in the age of e-commerce, there simply is not a better bcd on the market for under $500, and really I don't think there is a better one out there period and I have yet to be proven wrong. If you think there is a superior BCD on the market, please let me know, because I don't know of one.

 

[Bennno]

Au contraire. YOU only have ONE opinion when it comes to BCDs. Every time a question is asked, you jump in with a diatribe explaining why everyone else is wrong and DSS is far superior to everything else and that we should ONLY buy from Tobin.

As I've said before, the way people 'recommend' DSS comes across a bit pushy. I've never seen a DSS wing or bp and I don't doubt that they are well made but lets not forget that it is extremely easy to 'design' wing and bps that have been around for a long time and are being made by countless other companies... they can't be much different than any other run of the mill w/bp. BTW: slightly changing the shape of the wing hardly counts as 'designing', IMHO.
What can you do with a DSS wing that you can't do with a DR or Halcyon wing? They're also made in the US.

 

[tbone1004]

As I've said before, the way people 'recommend' DSS comes across a bit pushy. I've never seen a DSS wing or bp and I don't doubt that they are well made but lets not forget that it is extremely easy to 'design' wing and bps that have been around for a long time and are being made by countless other companies... they can't be much different than any other run of the mill w/bp. BTW: slightly changing the shape of the wing hardly counts as 'designing', IMHO.
What can you do with a DSS wing that you can't do with a DR or Halcyon wing? They're also made in the US.

with the wings? remove them from the plate without unthreading the cam bands *Dive Rite*, or removing the STA *Halcyon* which is super convenient for travel, Halcyon requires an STA, and Dive Rite really should have one. Other than that, the wings aren't the selling point for me as I actually prefer STA's if diving singles, especially off of a boat. They also have a thicker inner bladder material which makes them quite a bit more durable. Halcyon uses a butyl rubber coated fabric which is also super nice but harder to patch if you get a pinch flat. I have been vocal about not being a fan of the zipper-less design despite it not really being a valid concern and never having experienced a pinch flat, but my LCD wings aren't sewn shut and that is what I usually recommend as I think that's a better wing shape for singles.

For the plates, it is comfortably fit someone shorter than about 5'8" *Halcyon does not have a short pattern plate, but Dive Rite doesn't*, or taller than about 6'2". They also have the overmoulded grommets for all of the webbing slots which is very nice, and the q-tach retainers for use with doubles is just one of those stupid little things that makes your life easier not having to worry about losing your wing nuts. They are also flatter profile which puts the tanks closer to your back. It's all of the little things that add up

Now, add all of that up, and compare a selling price of $485 for DSS to $750 for Halcyon, or $460 for the cheapest Dive Rite package I could find *which is a DGX custom rig without STA*, and I'm willing to pay an extra $30 for the DSS for the features mentioned above, particularly the plate features, and I can't imagine spending an extra $300 for the Halcyon. I am not able to dive a normal backplate and wing, and the only backplate on the market that I can comfortably dive is the Deep Sea Supply. I have logged well over a thousand hours underwater in a Halcyon rig as that is what I was trained in, but DSS is the only company that produces long pattern plates.



Now to something a bit more relevant. The Transpac is not a good value. The cheapest you can get it is $600, and is designed to use Dive Rite single tank wings, it is certainly not compatible with every wing on the market like a hard backplate. Not that that's a bad thing, but it's just a thing. It does work for doubles

Nomad XT, so a Transpac with the Nomad wing carrying a set of double PST 104's inside of Orange Grove. Taken last year for those that believe that I think DSS is the ONLY solution

Older Transpac II with some wing that I can't remember carrying PST HP100's

Same rig, but with LP72's


Anyway, it's a brilliant rig, quite comfortable, and does work very well with doubles and singles, but it is very expensive and because of that I don't believe it is a good value. If you are diving singles only, the Hunterpac at just under $400 is a much better value and works better IMHO for single tank diving. The worst thing Dive Rite did was eliminate the Transpac XT Tech, but thankfully they can be converted back.

 

[BoltSnap]

Au contraire. YOU only have ONE opinion when it comes to BCDs. Every time a question is asked, you jump in with a diatribe explaining why everyone else is wrong and DSS is far superior to everything else and that we should ONLY buy from Tobin.

And it is all about a cheap scrap of metal and the worst wings on the market. He doesn't realize it but he is the talk of SB of how obnoxious he really is here.

Every time a question is asked, you jump in with a diatribe explaining why everyone else is wrong and DSS is far superior to everything else and that we should ONLY buy from Tobin.

Literally, EVERY single time.

 

[rhwestfall]

I'm partial to DSS, but for the reason of being 6'7", and really liking the benefit of the Tall & X-Tall plates that Tobin makes. It was a significant improvement in fit, and I believe it did help my diving. I am not aware of others making rigs to fit my size. There are also other niceties in the DSS plate (the rubber grommets, no STA needed if using his system and some other's wings, GHA, finish, and the bend angle favoring single tanks), but it's a matter of "desires" rather than "must have".

The Zeagle Ranger has been around quite some time, and has a loyal following. I doubt it would still be around if it wasn't so. It appears to be quite a versatile platform. I have buddies with it, and they really like it.

The DR equipment is also good stuff. It's well built, innovative, and fits general as well as purposeful diving.

If any of the above are within your budget, they can be excellent choices if they fit your diving.

 

[tbone1004]

Au contraire. YOU only have ONE opinion when it comes to BCDs. Every time a question is asked, you jump in with a diatribe explaining why everyone else is wrong and DSS is far superior to everything else and that we should ONLY buy from Tobin.

so instead of making personal attacks and trolling which is exactly all you are doing with that post, and about all Burhan ever does, make a meaningful suggestion that makes sense. Which you have yet to do

@BurhanMuntasser what makes you say it is a piece of scrap metal and the worst wings on the market?

 

[guruboy]

Why hunterpac over travelpac? More flexibility?

 

[Caveeagle]

... The cheapest you can get it is $600, and it can ONLY use Dive Rite single tank wings. Not that that's a bad thing, but it's just a thing. It does work for doubles

tbone... why do you say it can only use a DR wing? I have two of them that are currently set up with HOG wings. I don't remember any issues getting them to line up. One using DR SS Cam bands, the other using some no-name bands.

 

[tbone1004]

how did you set it up? The wings are designed with crosshair center sections so you don't have to use sex bolts to keep the wing on. The cam bands hold the wing in. You can get lucky with some brands if you have enough grommets to where you can sex bolt the wing to the transpac, but it's the best way to do it imho. It can also cause more tank rocking

 

[Caveeagle]

how did you set it up? The wings are designed with crosshair center sections so you don't have to use sex bolts to keep the wing on. The cam bands hold the wing in. You can get lucky with some brands if you have enough grommets to where you can sex bolt the wing to the transpac, but it's the best way to do it imho. It can also cause more tank rocking

Book screws / sex bolts seem to work just fine attaching the Trans-pac to the HOG wing. These wings also have a pair of stiff beads to assist in stabilizing a single tank. My older daughter recently used this for a cavern class and it all seemed to work just fine.