Finally tried out my new bp and wing...

[RICHinNC]

After looking at it for a couple of weeks in the corner of my bedroom....I finally got to try out my new bp and wing.

Until now I have used a SQ Pro QD and was happy with it but wanted to try something that had less ""stuff"" in the front.

I ended up purchasing a Transplate from DiveRite with a TransPac II harness. I am by no means now and have no intention of tec diving in the future or DIR so the harness gave me more comfort and ease of getting into and out of it.

Just the other day I read a thread where someone tried their new bp and wing and had all kinds of trim problems. I guess I was just very lucky. A very close DM friend of mine went with me to the pool and took a couple of pics so I could see how the wing looked and all went very well actually.

I had none of the problems noted in the other thread. It was just pure bliss and control. It was nice having all the "air" behind me and I had no problems with being neutral. I could spin, roll, stand verticle.....do all the things I could do with my SQ just as easily.

There are a couple of areas where I need some getting used to and plan to take some action.

There was no doubt that I was pushed forward when coming to the surface ...and no...I did not over inflate the wing. I could over come the effect and sensation by a concious effort of leaning back but there was no doubt....no matter how much or how little I inflated the wing...there was the push forward. Probably just me.

And, I will probably cause a comment or two on a boat because I plan to make a six inch wide cushion for the bottom of the plate. Sorry all you sticklers, I had too much going on with my back from jumping out of airplanes and that backplate digging into my lower back just dont cut it. I am sure I will hear about that....but ....its my back.

All in all I am glad I made the purchase. I am out looking for some different weight pockets however. The ones that came with the package are about 5 inches square and are way bigger than I need. I went to the DiveRite web site and couldnt figure out if they had anything smaller. I need only something big enought to hold about 5 lbs max. Any suggestions???????

 

[simbrooks]

Last point first, there are weight pockets on the Dive-Rite Express website that hold 5# each, see: http://www.diveriteexpress.com/bcs/weights.shtml, if you go onto the main page you can find all sorts of other bits. They have free shipping on orders >$25, i go there for price checking and to see what kind of things they offer.

Glad you like your BP/Wings, i just got a Zeagle set-up, really like it, no troubles with trim that a shift of the tank wouldnt help, nor dumping air from rear dump. I will say that i dont get that forward pushing affair. I wear 2# in addition to the SS BP and an AL80 tank in fresh water and its just fine, i can have it fully pumped up at the surface, no need to lean back to counter anything - am i just a freak compared to these others who have troubles??? However i used to get rolled forward when fully inflating a jacket BC, like a sherwood or cressi rental, have no idea why.

Still glad that another person likes this kind of confirguration, it also cost the same or less than most decent BC's i was looking at as well.

 

[RICHinNC]

Thanks for the info. I went to the site....they want $99 for a set of two. I had just been to a Zeigle dealer today and he had almost the exact same thing for $44 for two. I am on my way back to the Z dealer.

 

[simbrooks]

Personally i dont worry about the weight pockets, i use a weight belt for the 2# fresh and 8# salt, really doesnt bother me. When i get my steel tanks those numbers should continue to drop to near zero for each (will buy an AL plate for fresh!). Weight systems dont seem to be cheap for any BC, no matter BP's. Didnt actually check the price on that site, just thought you might like to see it for all dive-rite gear continuity!! Zeagle also has a ripcord thing you can attach to the BP rather than little pockets that are strung on the webbing like i saw on the dive-rite express site, not sure on the price of that. Try LP, search for "weight pocket" and there should be a range on there from $25 and up made by various, research you manufacturers and see what you like and if the price is right.....

 

[divegeek]

I am out looking for some different weight pockets however. The ones that came with the package are about 5 inches square and are way bigger than I need. I went to the DiveRite web site and couldnt figure out if they had anything smaller. I need only something big enought to hold about 5 lbs max. Any suggestions???????

Here's the bargain of the year.

http://s1059kxm.leisurepro.com/weba...6&cgrfnbr=976&parentCategory=974&sort=prsdesc

They're great. I put them on my waist belt between the waist D-Rings and the backplate