So I dug through the bargain bin at the local dive shop and found some Deep Sea Supply Backplate/harness/wings. They look like they have been sitting around for a while (white crud on the black inflator hoses, backplates not too shiny) but otherwise look to be in usable condition. The shopkeeper offered me a really tempting price of $185. He also said I could mix and match the harnesses, wings (mainly 30L and 35L I believe, with zippered tops), and backplates (SS and their combination type Kydex, in various sizes).
He also offered me a Diverite Travelpac which looked to be in newer condition but also a bit of white stuff on the inflator hose, for a price of $302. Online, it appears that this model includes a crotch strap, but I don't recall seeing one on this particular piece.
He then pulled out a Zeagle Express Tech and offered it to me at $306. This was in absolutely new condition.
What would you guys suggest I go with?
About me: I'm a leisure/rec diver who has no intention of going into tech diving. I live in an area with pretty much no local diving, so I almost always have to travel to dive. I dive exclusively in warm water (I live in the tropics) with a 3mm suit and usually use 7-8lbs of weight.
I'm about 174cm tall and 65kg in weight. I have never dived with a backplate/wing setup, but have tried my friend's back inflate BCD (female version of Knighthawk) and enjoyed the way it felt snug and secure regardless of inflation level. In the past, I have not carried much gear when diving, but am gradually increasing my equipment. I think I would typically carry: 1 small torch, 1 smb + reel, 1 pointer/tickle stick and perhaps 1 knife/shears. At night I would add on another small torch. I also share a Gopro style camera with my gf so I may carry that at times too.
Here are my considerations:
1) I don't like wearing a weight belt. My original plan was to get a back-inflate BCD with integrated weight pouches. However, the good deal on the DSS popped up and I wonder if it would be nice to use the SS plate. At the same time, I have to travel to dive, and it really did seem heavy to deal with. I also worry if I might even be overweighted with a SS plate.
2) I like the idea of a crotch strap but have never used one. No BCD has ever sat nicely on me until I tried my friend's undersized back-inflate BCD
3) I have a tiny budget
4) Perhaps because the straps were stiff, the Hog harness on the DSS Medium plate (correct size for me) seemed to press into my lower back. This is strange because I've always been on the skinny side for mainstream BCD's. The Large was wider and did not press/rub. Would you suggest Medium or Large? Would Medium be ok once the harness softens?
5) I was only offered 6 months warranty on the DSS (although he later seemed to change that to a year). Is durability an issue?
6) I like putting stuff in pockets in BCD's e.g. my small torch. There is the option of getting additional pouches I suppose.
So the questions are: DSS or others (or none)? Steel or Kydex? Medium or Large?
Sorry for the wall of text. Hope you guys can help me decide which to get, or whether I should even get one, before I go on my trip to Maldives next week! Oh yes and I've heard great things about this Tobin guy, but I can't quite make an extended international call to him, hence I ask here.
He also offered me a Diverite Travelpac which looked to be in newer condition but also a bit of white stuff on the inflator hose, for a price of $302. Online, it appears that this model includes a crotch strap, but I don't recall seeing one on this particular piece.
He then pulled out a Zeagle Express Tech and offered it to me at $306. This was in absolutely new condition.
What would you guys suggest I go with?
About me: I'm a leisure/rec diver who has no intention of going into tech diving. I live in an area with pretty much no local diving, so I almost always have to travel to dive. I dive exclusively in warm water (I live in the tropics) with a 3mm suit and usually use 7-8lbs of weight.
I'm about 174cm tall and 65kg in weight. I have never dived with a backplate/wing setup, but have tried my friend's back inflate BCD (female version of Knighthawk) and enjoyed the way it felt snug and secure regardless of inflation level. In the past, I have not carried much gear when diving, but am gradually increasing my equipment. I think I would typically carry: 1 small torch, 1 smb + reel, 1 pointer/tickle stick and perhaps 1 knife/shears. At night I would add on another small torch. I also share a Gopro style camera with my gf so I may carry that at times too.
Here are my considerations:
1) I don't like wearing a weight belt. My original plan was to get a back-inflate BCD with integrated weight pouches. However, the good deal on the DSS popped up and I wonder if it would be nice to use the SS plate. At the same time, I have to travel to dive, and it really did seem heavy to deal with. I also worry if I might even be overweighted with a SS plate.
2) I like the idea of a crotch strap but have never used one. No BCD has ever sat nicely on me until I tried my friend's undersized back-inflate BCD
3) I have a tiny budget
4) Perhaps because the straps were stiff, the Hog harness on the DSS Medium plate (correct size for me) seemed to press into my lower back. This is strange because I've always been on the skinny side for mainstream BCD's. The Large was wider and did not press/rub. Would you suggest Medium or Large? Would Medium be ok once the harness softens?
5) I was only offered 6 months warranty on the DSS (although he later seemed to change that to a year). Is durability an issue?
6) I like putting stuff in pockets in BCD's e.g. my small torch. There is the option of getting additional pouches I suppose.
So the questions are: DSS or others (or none)? Steel or Kydex? Medium or Large?
Sorry for the wall of text. Hope you guys can help me decide which to get, or whether I should even get one, before I go on my trip to Maldives next week! Oh yes and I've heard great things about this Tobin guy, but I can't quite make an extended international call to him, hence I ask here.