Diving Doubles?

[TheRedHead]

Thanks guys!

Mark: I'm looking at the Oceanic Chute and the Oceanic Probe. I'm not sure about the Chute because Oceanic doesn't have it on their site anymore, just checked it out in my LDS and I kind of like it, probably going to dive my AOW with it and see how it feels.

I think it would be the worst thing you could buy with the intention of diving doubles, but newbies have to learn, sometmes the hard way.

 

[Mark Vlahos]

Mark: I'm looking at the Oceanic Chute and the Oceanic Probe. I'm not sure about the Chute because Oceanic doesn't have it on their site anymore, just checked it out in my LDS and I kind of like it, probably going to dive my AOW with it and see how it feels. Anyway, on Oceanic's site there's a double tank bracket available for about $120 in the accessories when you're looking at the Probe, as seen here.

I'll have to dig around and see if the Chute can take the same bracket or not. I've got my fingers crossed that maybe one of the local instructors is diving a BP/W so I can ask if they'll let me try it out. From what I've read and seen, I think I'd rather have a BP/W, but $500 isn't exactly casual money to me, so I want to be sure before I buy one, y'know?

There may be some divers, heck I will go so far as to say there must be some divers who like either of these BC's for doubles. I will say that I have yet to meet one of them.

Seriously, which would you rather do. Spend about $300 on one of those BC's and then later spend about $500 when you decide to get a BackPlate and Wing. Or would you rather just go straight for the Plate and Wing. If you start now with a single tank wing and then later get another wing that is appropriate for doubles you will spend somthing like $800 to $900. If you get the Oceanic now, I predict that when you do actually transition to doubles you will still spend $800 to $900 for a setup that will accomodate both singles and doubles, but you will have spent the initial $300 or more on the Oceanic BC that will sit in your closet.

I have a Seaquest Quickdraw BC and a Zeagle Ranger LTD in my closet that have not seen the water in years. Take my, and others, advice. Save your money and get the right gear the first time. If your local shop is advising you to dive doubles in either of the Oceanic BC's ask the sales person or owner how many times they have personally been in doubles with those BC's. Most if not all of us that are giving you advice to get a Back Plate and Wing HAVE personally been in doubles with the exact type of rig we are endorsing. Sure dive gear is expensive, but take this advice, you will end up spending LESS money in the long run if you buy the right thing the first time. When I bought each of the BC's that now hang in my closet I was told that they would accomodate doubles. I have never used either of them with doubles nor do I think it would be very much fun if I did.

My doubles rig is a Deep Sea Supply Kydex plate and an Abyss 55lb lift wing for fresh water. For salt water, I have not yet purchased but I intend to, a DSS Stainless Steel plate with the same wing. I have been diving the Kydex plate in salt water, but I would trim out better with a steel plate. Other brands of plates and wings also work fine, my choices were for personal preferences. Halcyon, DiveRite, OxyCheq, FredT, Hammerhead, Golem Gear, and many others that I just can't remember right now make good gear. The beauty of the BP/W is that you can mix different brands, choose what you like and make your own system.

I will say that I also strongly endorse the use of a simple one piece Hogarthian harness, and not somthing with padding and buckles. This is truly a case of "less is more." Resist temptation, do not spend money on a cushy padded harness, if you do you will most likely replace it with a one piece harness when you start diving doubles.

Mark Vlahos

 

[CuriousRambler]

I definitely want a BP/W, but since I'm not sure I will get into diving doubles, I don't want to buy one and then figure out I don't like it. I guess I just don't want to commit that much money to something that I've never even seen in person, much less dove. I'm going to actively pursue trying to find someone who dives a BP/W so I can try it out before I buy any BC, but who knows how successful I'll be in that heh.

Anyone feel like taking a vaction to Montana lol?! Maybe I will just spring the money for one, but I'd really prefer not to without at least trying it first.

 

[Mark Vlahos]

I definitely want a BP/W, but since I'm not sure I will get into diving doubles, I don't want to buy one and then figure out I don't like it. I guess I just don't want to commit that much money to something that I've never even seen in person, much less dove. I'm going to actively pursue trying to find someone who dives a BP/W so I can try it out before I buy any BC, but who knows how successful I'll be in that heh.

Anyone feel like taking a vaction to Montana lol?! Maybe I will just spring the money for one, but I'd really prefer not to without at least trying it first.

Threading a one piece harness can be confusing, but there are some good websites out there to explain it. If you also choose to switch to the long hose it can also be good to get help explaining that as well. Of course the long hose is not required for the plate, but it is quite common for doubles.

If price is a problem keep your eyes on ebay, but if you get one there you will still want to verify the way the harness is threaded. If it is from someone who did not like it, it may be because they had it threaded wrong. Be patient, ebay can be a money saver, especially since a back plate has no moving parts. If you get a wing on ebay it has a higher chance of being a dud, at the very least get a new inflator mechanism, they are cheap.

Mark Vlahos

 

[TheRedHead]

He could compromise with a Dive Rite Transpac which would allow him to use the wing later with a BP and harness. With weight pockets and other accessories, it's pretty much like a BC with an uncluttered front. Isn't that Oceanic a poodle jacket?

 

[PerroneFord]

It's a pretty poor compromise. It requires additional weight to sink due to the padding, it's bulky, and the Dive Rite wings aren't the best. I say this as someone who considered the Transpac, and as an owner of a DR Wing (Classic Wing).

Somehow I wish I could convey to the original poster how much better a BP/W was going to be, versus the other options. But as you said, sometimes newbies have to learn the hard way.

I guess he can unload on Ebay.

He could compromise with a Dive Rite Transpac which would allow him to use the wing later with a BP and harness. With weight pockets and other accessories, it's pretty much like a BC with an uncluttered front. Isn't that Oceanic a poodle jacket?

 

[TheRedHead]

It's a pretty poor compromise. It requires additional weight to sink due to the padding, it's bulky, and the Dive Rite wings aren't the best. I say this as someone who considered the Transpac, and as an owner of a DR Wing (Classic Wing).

Perhaps a pound or 2 additional weight? My buddy dives doubles in a Transpac. The Venture wing is a nice little singles wing and the RecWing can work for both doubles and singles, albeit not the best for either. Isn't your wing something like 59 lbs of lift?

 

[BabyDuck]

i dunno, red. i have a friend in the transpac, and it's pretty padded. maybe he got some 'ultra cushy' version or something. i can see that thing taking some poundage to get it down.

cheetah, plates are *great* for singles, too. there's really nothing in the whole set-up not to like, except perhaps lack of pockets, and there are pockets you can add to the waist strap, or you can glue some to your suit, or you can try x-shorts. this makes my bp/w have way *better* pockets than my bc did (cause it had !1! that was about big enough for a car key, and that's it!), and i can pick what kind and where.

 

[PerroneFord]

Perhaps a pound or 2 additional weight? My buddy dives doubles in a Transpac. The Venture wing is a nice little singles wing and the RecWing can work for both doubles and singles, albeit not the best for either. Isn't your wing something like 59 lbs of lift?

I say this will all due respect, but there isn't a DR wing other than the classic I'd own. There are at LEAST 4-5 better options in every wing size than DR wings, including my Classic. The Recwing is awful for both singles and doubles. Horeshoe wings are an idea who's time has past for the most part. At least in my opinion. For a small singles wing, theyr'e ok, but once you get over 30# of lift, a cicular wing is really preferable. And ESPECIALLY for doubles. The Venture is OK but not ideal.


Yes, my wing is 59 pounds of lift. It did a job for me, and it will be added to the "backup pile" in case one ALL of my other doubles wings break. The DR wings come with the wrong length inflator hoses and dump valve corrugated hoses instead of simple elbows. My pioneer 27# wing is fabulous. As are any of the donut single wings I've seen around that size.

Again, this may not be popular opinion, and I know a LOT of people who dive DR, including me. My shop is a DR dealer. Doesn't change the fact that there are better options out there. Thank goodness they have excellent customer service.

 

[PerroneFord]

i dunno, red. i have a friend in the transpac, and it's pretty padded. maybe he got some 'ultra cushy' version or something. i can see that thing taking some poundage to get it down.

My guess is a good 5-6 pounds. And there is no ultra-cushy version. They are all that way.[/QUOTE]