Dive Rite Transplate v. DSS Single Rig

[Jarrett]

I'm teetering on the edge of the dark side. After getting a major case of the BC Envy last weekend in Cozumel looking at my instructor's Halcyon BP/W setup, I am about ready to pull the trigger. I keep going back and forth between the DSS Single Rig and a Dive Rite Transplate setup and would appreciate some input.

Here are my stats, I'm 6'1 - 325lbs with a football lineman kind of build. Stricky a warm water weenie. If it requires putting on more than my 5mm Hyperstretch, I ain't goin and most of my dives take place in a 3mm Hyperstretch Shorty. I currently dive a Dive Rite Transpac and need about 6lbs. to get down with that shorty. Sometimes going up as far as 18lbs in salt water, but I figure I can put weight pockets on the tank straps when I need that kind of weight. I figure if I am going to be using 6lbs most of the time, it might as well be on my back instead of on my belt.

I like the Dive Rite Transplate setup because I am very familiar with the Transpac harness already. The quick releases are not a big deal to me, but I like the idea of being able to quick adjust the shoulder fit. I know this will be a comfortable and easy to adjust BP/W setup and easy transition coming from the Transpac. Plus I already own two Dive Rite wings, a Travel and Rec wing. (Although they say you can't use the Travel wing with the Transplate, but I don't really understand why you could not since you just thread it through the tank straps on the Transpac? Would it not be the same on the Transplate?)

I like the DSS Single Rig because its more streamlined and has that cool Torus wing on it. It's clean, basic and down right Hog-a-licious. Not to mention, Tobin makes a fat man's plate which would probably be right up my alley. And its the hot ticket on SB lately and I'm susceptible to gear head peer pressure.

Price doesn't seem to be a big differentiator. $280 for DSS harness, SS BP and Cam Bands versus $305 for the Transplate setup from Dive Rite Express (is there a less expensive spot?)

Are there other pros and cons I am missing? Thanks.

 

[cool_hardware52]

Price doesn't seem to be a big differentiator. $280 for DSS harness, SS BP and Cam Bands versus $305 for the Transplate setup from Dive Rite Express (is there a less expensive spot?)

Jarrett,


With our gear the best "buy" is a complete rig, that a backplate, wing, harness and the cambands and wedge blocks.

If you want a complete rig with a Torus wing, Large SS backplate and Hogarthian harness and cambands / wedge blocks the cost is $475 + freight.

Regards,


Tobin

 

[scubadobadoo]

I don't believe the travel wing attaches the same exact way as the rec and venture wings. In other words, the travel wing isn't compatable with a SS plate and the transplate. You may have to use your rec wing or buy the venture wing if you go with the DR kit. I do also like the DSS stuff.

http://www.diveriteexpress.com/bcs/aircells.shtml

 

[Biodiversity_guy]

I went with a DSS single rig, but with the pro-fit harness. I figured it would be easier to start with this harness and then change it to a Hog configuration later if desired, than to start with a Hog harness. I must admit that I do like having the quick releases to get out of the rig after a dive is over. Otherwise it is a bit tight and takes a bit of wiggling to get out of the harness. Both my wife and I are enjoying the DSS BP/W combo.

 

[kidsdream]

To be honest you would be happy with either.

If you are not changing suits and rigs, a standard Harness would work just fine.

On the other hand I dive with every suit combo, from Dry Suit to Skin only and like the padded shoulder straps and the adjustability of the Trans Plate.

 

[halocline]

Regarding the travel wing, I'm pretty sure you can't use as is, but people have added their own holes and grommets to bolt the wing to the plate.

I've posted this question on a couple of other threads and still have not gotten an answer; does anyone use a venture wing on a dive rite plate with no STA? Does the tank end up sitting on the grommets, preventing a good contact with the plate?

 

[Jarrett]

After talking to a few people offline, the majority felt like unless you are specifically going into DIR that the Transplate harness would be much more comfortable and useable for my rec diving needs.

So this morning I pulled the trigger on a Dive Rite Transplate setup with Apollo Bio-Tank locks from Phil at Dive Sports. I'm going to keep my Rec wing and try it out first. If it doesn't work so well, I will either modify my Travel wing or look into another wing for it, ie. Venture wing or a Torus wing from DSS if those will fit the Transplate.

Has anyone successfully installed grommets in the Travel wing? It seems like it would be simple enough. Would there be a danger in a setup like that?

Thanks for all the input so far.

 

[Captain CaveMan]

Jarrett,


With our gear the best "buy" is a complete rig, that a backplate, wing, harness and the cambands and wedge blocks.

If you want a complete rig with a Torus wing, Large SS backplate and Hogarthian harness and cambands / wedge blocks the cost is $475 + freight.

Regards,


Tobin

Thats a killer deal. If I had the chance to buy my gear again thats what I would by. I have a OMS bp and a Halcyon wing. I think my double wing will be a DSS from Tobin. He make great gear.

 

[kidsdream]

Regarding the travel wing, I'm pretty sure you can't use as is, but people have added their own holes and grommets to bolt the wing to the plate.

I've posted this question on a couple of other threads and still have not gotten an answer; does anyone use a venture wing on a dive rite plate with no STA? Does the tank end up sitting on the grommets, preventing a good contact with the plate?

To be clear, on the current model Tanspac the only thing that holds the Travel Wing on is the tank itself as the wind is trapped between the harness and the Tank. On the older models there was a strap. This is the rig my son uses. I found this a little problematic so I use a cable tie on the top "ring" (that was used to thread the strap with on the older Tanspacs.

I do use a Venture Wing with my Tansplate, but I usually use a STA as it reduces the weight I must add, so I cna not answer your other question.

 

[scubadobadoo]

I've posted this question on a couple of other threads and still have not gotten an answer; does anyone use a venture wing on a dive rite plate with no STA? Does the tank end up sitting on the grommets, preventing a good contact with the plate?

I use a Venture wing, DR Transplate harness, and DR SS plate when single tank diving and I don't use a STA when in warmer waters. It was designed to work without a STA and it works very well as long as you tighten the camb bands properly. For the record, I usually use it with a weighted STA here in NYC because I like the 6 pounds that the STA adds. The tank doesn't feel more stable with a STA than it does without.