First BCD: an embarras du choix

[MidOH]

You wont need padding. Thats your wetsuits job.

 

[lexvil]

BCD’s have a big advantage toward new divers, one of which is simplicity, no thinking needed, just tug a few loose ends and it fits, it’s very hard to overcome this.

a BP/W can be as simple or as complicated as you want but you have to know what you want.

The biggest advantage to a BP/W is in modularity of fairly generic parts. They seem intimidating to the uninitiated but the options are pretty unlimited, with a standard BCD you adapt to where things are, with a BP/W you adapt it to you. One of the hardest things to get over for some is pockets, never let yourself get to used to them and you’ll be better off.

 

[Calatinus]

Exactly.

Don't shame the ignorant

 

[Zef]

I came across Tecline (no "h") when I was looking for European BP/W manufacturers other than OMS and Xdeep, but I didn't want to mention a company I had no familiarity with.

They make a conventional doughnut wing, but also have an interesting wing that sits lower on the plate except for a bit that comes up so the inflator is in the conventional location. Also comes in several color options.

The website is Scuba Diving Equipment | TecLine

Thanks for the prompt on the spelling error. I have updated the company name in my earlier post.

Cheers,
-Z

 

[FishWatcher747]

Any arguments against shoulder strap padding?

I got the HOG BPW harness and wing that came with shoulder padding. I guess if you plan to do long hikes into a shore diving site they might be helpful. I took mine off and don't need them.

A backplate, harness and wing is a lot more simple than a jacket BC. For a single-tank, you need a "single tank adapter" which bolts to the tank and backplate.

If the wing comes with stabilization bars (I think the majority do) you don't need an STA. If one is diving in cold water and need the extra weight they have a use. If you are flying to a warm water destination even occasionally why would anyone buy a single wing without stabilization bars so one could avoid using an STA?

I don't fly to a warm water destination with lead weights in my baggage. Why would one want to travel with a weighty STA?

 

[Zef]

Lots of very useful comments and feedback! Thanks all! I'll have to let it sink in, and indeed, test different products before making the final choice. I'd indeed go for a real BP/W instead of a back-inflate BC jacket-style. I currently tend to look more into Tecline and XDEEP.

As to lift capacity, taking into account the cold to moderate Belgian temperatures (mostly) and 7 + 3 mm wetsuit, I'd suppose lift capacity of around 30–35 lbs should suffice with a steel backplate?

Any arguments against shoulder strap padding? I was wondering whether this extra bit of comfort for bare-skin pool trainings is worth the extra fuss; does it interfere with other specifications, performance ...? I've only used BP/Ws with no backplate padding, but don't find that part too uncomfortable, it really doesn't bother me, even on bare skin, but shoulder strap padding would be nice in those circumstances. If, and only if, this does not interfere with its ease of use etc. in open waters with wetsuit.

30-35lbs of lift should suffice but If you are planning to wear that much neoprene then you should really consider investing in a drysuit.

When I first started diving in Belgium, I wore a 5.5mm combi with 5.5mm shorty on top. Despite that much neoprene, I was never very comfortable....I felt like the michelin man and it only made the cold a little more tolerable and it did not work well in the late autumn and early spring when the water temps were colder than 15c.

There are a couple guys I know that dive a 7mm there all year there, but I think they have a mental disorder. A drysuit will allow you to dive all year. For me, diving in Belgium and Holland, the length of time when the water temp is high enough to be comfortable in a wetsuit is rather short. A drysuit was a game changer with regards to overall comfort during and after a dive...also it is much more comfortable to put a drysuit on for a 2nd dive instead of pulling on a damp combi, especially when the air temp is cold.

Another recommendation for a drysuit is safety, particularly if your 7+3 combi are both full suits...the amount of lead you will need to decend is a concern. With a drysuit you automatically have a redundant source to inflate should you have a problem with your BCD or wing at depth. This is not something that is discussed during initial certification and is not often something a new diver thinks about.


Regarding shoulder strap padding:
When I initially purchased my backplate I bought the optional neoprene shoulder pads. These are just neoprene sewn/glued into tubes to fit over the webbing. The pads had a tendency to bunch up and I don't think they really added any benefit. There are more robust shoulder pads on some of the fancier harnesses, but if you are not purchasing one and instead going with a simple (hogarthian) harness then I don't think it worth the expense to add the shoulder pads. Remember, anything with any padding will to positive buoyancy that you will need to counter with more lead.

I have never had an issue without shoulder pads in the pool. I also don't adjust my harness when I dive in a pool, I just let it be loose, and never had an issue. But if you think shoulder pads will offer you a benefit then you should buy and install them...if they work for you then great, if they don't then sell them. I don't like the cold water in the pools used by the clubs I was in, so I typically wore a rash guard or a 1.5mm-2mm shorty when doing pool training.

-Z

 

[lowwall]

30-35 pounds (14-16 litres) of lift is the correct range for a single tank setup that will primarily be used in cold water.

I wouldn't bother with a Single Tank Adapter (STA). You don't need them with any of the wings we are discussing as they all have built in tank stabilization mechanisms.

Here's a good discussion of what they are useful for: Single Tank Mounting with Backplates | Dive Gear Express®

 

[Wibble]

If the wing comes with stabilization bars (I think the majority do) you don't need an STA. If one is diving in cold water and need the extra weight they have a use. If you are flying to a warm water destination even occasionally why would anyone buy a single wing without stabilization bars so one could avoid using an STA?

I don't fly to a warm water destination with lead weights in my baggage. Why would one want to travel with a weighty STA?

STAs (single tank adapters) are a small piece of metal where the cam-band straps go through. They're bolted to the backplate with the wing in between. They are simple, work well and not at all heavy.

Some weight pouches are useful too. These go on the cam-bands and you simply slip in the lead you need -- normally supplied with the tank by the dive boat/shop at resort destinations.

 

[FishWatcher747]

STAs (single tank adapters) are a small piece of metal where the cam-band straps go through. They're bolted to the backplate with the wing in between. They are simple, work well and not at all heavy.

With just a brief internet search it looks like nonweighted STAs weigh around 2.2 pounds and then there are weighted STAs that weigh 5 pounds or more.

If you are strictly using the BPW for cold water and need the weight or are switching from a single wing to a doubles wing occasionally they make sense.

My contention is that 90% of divers do not fall into either of these categories.

For this 90% of divers buying a wing without stabilization bars makes no sense.

 

[lexvil]

With just a brief internet search it looks like nonweighted STAs weigh around 2.2 pounds and then there are weighted STAs that weigh 5 pounds or more.

If you are strictly using the BPW for cold water and need the weight or are switching from a single wing to a doubles wing occasionally they make sense.

My contention is that 90% of divers do not fall into either of these categories.

For this 90% of divers buying a wing without stabilization bars makes no sense.

Most STA’s come in under 1 lb and they are also available in aluminum. I like an STA, it makes loading tanks eas(y) (ier) and with some wings/backplates it’s the only option.