Do instructors not like to sell BP/W?

[irishsquid]

A BP/W is about the MOST UN-technical piece of gear one can purchase.

How can something so very, very simple be "technical"?

Good advice has been given you.

Go with what you want.

the K

Good advice K!
I made the mistake of going with a BCD (jacket style) right after OW. It wasn't bad gear, just a mistake, because I ended up taking a loss when selling it to purchase a BP/W. The BP/W is sooo... simple and easy to dive, fits like it's part of me, and is tech ready if/when I choose to go that route. I found that when I went with the BP/W, steel tanks, my trim came alot easier and I was able to get rid of a weight belt. I lucked out with my body type/size, exposure suit and rig. It is just a better setup IMHO!

 

[cool_hardware52]

So i was wondering why both the Scuba Shops in my town don't want to sell us this equipment or want us to take a tech diving class to use this equipment. And if I buy elsewhere will I have trouble using a BP/W or any Winged BC like the transpac on dive trips with these particular instructors?

Aside from the obvious motivation to sell what they currently stock, the reality is most dive shops know almost nothing about BP&W's

I design and build and sell BP&W's and we do have some very well qualified dealers.

OTOH it's down right scary to talk to some LDS's who call to order goods for customers.

Often what they have recommended to the customer, or what the customer thinks they need is completely inappropriate for the diver's real application.

We have sold many thousands of BP&W's. Many of these were sold to new divers who may not know directly anybody that uses a BP&W, they may not have even seen a BP&W.

Somehow these folks manage to set up and use their "Highly Technical" BP&W without specific instruction, hard to imagine isn't it?

In all fairness a BP&W does require more effort to setup and adjust than the typical vest BC, but it's a long way from rocket science, and well worth the effort.

Tobin

 

[irishsquid]

Aside from the obvious motivation to sell what they currently stock, the reality is most dive shops know almost nothing about BP&W's

I design and build and sell BP&W's and we do have some very well qualified dealers.

OTOH it's down right scary to talk to some LDS's who call to order goods for customers.

Often what they have recommended to the customer, or what the customer thinks they need is completely inappropriate for the diver's real application.

We have sold many thousands of BP&W's. Many of these were sold to new divers who may not know directly anybody that uses a BP&W, they may not have even seen a BP&W.

Somehow these folks manage to set up and use their "Highly Technical" BP&W without specific instruction, hard to imagine isn't it?

In all fairness a BP&W does require more effort to setup and adjust than the typical vest BC, but it's a long way from rocket science, and well worth the effort.

Tobin

I got my "Tech" setup from Tobin, and recieved all the info I needed. He called me the Monday after the Saturday I ordered, made sure I was getting the appropriate setup, and shipped it out right away. It was easy to assemble, and required just a couple "tuneup" dives to get it fitted just right. Don't let the "more effort to setup and adjust than the typical vest BC" mislead you. That is just because it doesn't come pre-assembled, ready to throw on. I found it pretty easy to do, but then again, I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express a few times.

 

[snowmaker]

Most instructors I know have full time jobs away from the shop and most don't care what gear you use as long as it works for you.

Most OW instructors have never used a BP/W and some probably don't fully understand what it is. I always tell students to get what fits their needs and their diving. Make sure you understand what your buying. FWIW I don't think most new divers need a BP/W and will never need one. Now if it's what you want buy one. I certainly not against them and I dive a BP/w myself but I just don't think it's what ever new diver needs.

Any shop that tells you this piece of gear is 100 times better then everything else out there you should walk out of. Find a shop that will discuss your diving now and your future diving and then make suggestions on what they think will work best for you.

 

[WeldonDowd]

Very cool, squid. Tobin, I'm 100% sure that I am going the BP/W route. In fact, I just bought a brand new Venture Wing on Ebay bc the price was right to start my setup. I guess I'm more concerned that both the LDS' around me seem to think this is "tech gear" and I want to make sure that I will be able to go on local dives with them with this gear before I advance my PADI certifications.

 

[sander8]

I recommend the OMS IQ Pack. It combines the best features of the Dive Rite Transpac and Transplate in that you can dive with or without a hard plate and is no more bulky than the Dive Rite. It is only slightly more gear than a simple harness and a lot less than most recreational BCD's. I think IceBergSlim's comments refer to the IQ Pack when it is fit out with one of the big OMS double wings. I sue the IQ Pack with a small 32 lb lift no bungee OMS wing and a 2 lb Aluminum plate and it is a very light setup that I use in cold water single tank drysuit dives and travel to tropical places. Great minimal rig.

 

[rstofer]

You won't have any problems going on dive trips. Nobody will care. Same for advanced classes. As long as the gear works, the instructor shouldn't have a problem.

In terms of classes, if you have the money, they want it! Pretty simple business arrangement.

The thing about BP/W's is that it's a much smaller market than BCs. So, to compete, the BP/W makers offer the product on the Internet and this means there isn't room for a 100% markup at the LDS. The BCs, regardless of make, are probably made in Vietnam and have a manufacturing cost of far less than $50. There's labor to assemble but, in Vietnam, it's pretty cheap. There's plenty of room left for importer, distributor, wholesaler and LDS markups.

Richard

 

[rstofer]

My girlfriend wants the Transpac or the QPac by OMS. Either way both our choices seem unconventional when we tell our LDS what we want in equipment.

If your girlfriend hasn't bought the Transpac yet, please have her consider the offerings at Deep Sea Supply. Even with the ProFit harness it will be cheaper and less cluttered than the TransPac. With the hogarthian harness it will be about $470 for a Kydex or stainless steel plate. The ProFit harness drives it up to $524. All of these are configured with an LCD 30 wing and that may not be appropriate. There are many alternatives, I just picked the one I use. But the prices are COMPLETE and ready to dive. No tank bands to buy, no wing to source separately, ready to dive!

Call Tobin...

I have put together 3 other rigs out of parts and pieces for specific applications (primarily double hose setups) and, in the end, they were more money than the DSS. That Transpac will be more expensive too, by the time it's ready to dive..

Richard

 

[IceBergSlim]

I recommend the OMS IQ Pack. It combines the best features of the Dive Rite Transpac and Transplate in that you can dive with or without a hard plate and is no more bulky than the Dive Rite. It is only slightly more gear than a simple harness and a lot less than most recreational BCD's. I think IceBergSlim's comments refer to the IQ Pack when it is fit out with one of the big OMS double wings. I sue the IQ Pack with a small 32 lb lift no bungee OMS wing and a 2 lb Aluminum plate and it is a very light setup that I use in cold water single tank drysuit dives and travel to tropical places. Great minimal rig.

I think we have a different opinion on the term "Minimal".

If you like it that's great but I just never understood what all that padding and plastic was for. I really don't see the value in it with a single or double.

I find the IQ to be the Hummer H2 of dive gear. Big and rugged looking but ultimately pointless for any real world application.

But my statement still stands: If a brand new diver is gravitating toward a huge harness such as the IQ they need to reconsider what their needs are as a diver.

 

[redacted]

I think we have a different opinion on the term "Minimal".

If you like it that's great but I just never understood what all that padding and plastic was for. I really don't see the value in it with a single or double.

I find the IQ to be the Hummer H2 of dive gear. Big and rugged looking but ultimately pointless for any real world application.

But my statement still stands: If a brand new diver is gravitating toward a huge harness such as the IQ they need to reconsider what their needs are as a diver.

I agree but my wife totally disagrees and loves her transpac. Mars vs Venus