First BCD - BP/W?

[Tank601]

Those shorts are nice but pricey!

If you look for a package online you can get everything you need for $200-$300. Though this will be the most basic variety (which some divers prefer). My second BP/W setup was this: TECHNICAL SCUBA BCD PACKAGE @ Divers-Supply.com . My first was a larger brand name and about twice the price. Both are pretty close in apparent build quality.

For any single tank setup you need to be sure you have at least

- backplate - Aluminum or kydex for warm water

- harness - basic Hog harness works well

- crotch strap - very helpful to keep the backplate in position, especially on the surface

- wing - get a singles wing for a singles tank

- cam bands - most often you need two

- Single tank adaptor - Optional with some BP/W combinations, but often recommended anyway.

- d-rings, Belt Buckle, belt slides - Stainless steel preferred, these will often come with the harness.

For pockets, I agree with a number of others on the board that pockets glued to your wetsuit (drysuit for me) are better than pockets that attach to the BP/W. You can add pockets to the waist band on a BP/W, but it is often easier to use pockets on your thigh. There are also shorts that you can wear over your suit with attached pockets (for example, XS Scuba Highland Neoprene Pocket Shorts - Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL). I've never had to try these myself.

 

[Phishie]

I also got my bp/w though this deal: TECHNICAL SCUBA BCD PACKAGE @ Divers-Supply.com

Add the crotch strap. The cam bands you can buy on Leisurepro for a little cheaper (like $15 cheaper if you can get free shipping). I did a lot of searching, and that's about as cheap as your going to find a package unless someone gives you a special deal.

 

[Tank601]

Price looks excellent but wing looks big - i was looking into a 17lb wing... Would be good although for a cold water setup...

I also got my bp/w though this deal: TECHNICAL SCUBA BCD PACKAGE @ Divers-Supply.com

Add the crotch strap. The cam bands you can buy on Leisurepro for a little cheaper (like $15 cheaper if you can get free shipping). I did a lot of searching, and that's about as cheap as your going to find a package unless someone gives you a special deal.

 

[Phishie]

The 32# HOG wing it comes with is a single tank wing and it's a torus (donut) design, not the one in the picture which is the 38# doubles wing.

HOG 32 lb Wing for Single Cylinder Diving

It's really not that big.

 

[Tank601]

The 32# HOG wing it comes with is a single tank wing and it's a torus (donut) design, not the one in the picture which is the 38# doubles wing.

HOG 32 lb Wing for Single Cylinder Diving

It's really not that big.

Do you use a single tank adapter with it? How much weight do you have on your belt normally?

 

[Tank601]

If you look for a package online you can get everything you need for $200-$300. Though this will be the most basic variety (which some divers prefer). My second BP/W setup was this: TECHNICAL SCUBA BCD PACKAGE @ Divers-Supply.com . My first was a larger brand name and about twice the price. Both are pretty close in apparent build quality.

For any single tank setup you need to be sure you have at least

- backplate - Aluminum or kydex for warm water

- harness - basic Hog harness works well

- crotch strap - very helpful to keep the backplate in position, especially on the surface

- wing - get a singles wing for a singles tank

- cam bands - most often you need two

- Single tank adaptor - Optional with some BP/W combinations, but often recommended anyway.

- d-rings, Belt Buckle, belt slides - Stainless steel preferred, these will often come with the harness.

For pockets, I agree with a number of others on the board that pockets glued to your wetsuit (drysuit for me) are better than pockets that attach to the BP/W. You can add pockets to the waist band on a BP/W, but it is often easier to use pockets on your thigh. There are also shorts that you can wear over your suit with attached pockets (for example, XS Scuba Highland Neoprene Pocket Shorts - Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL). I've never had to try these myself.

That package looks about in my price range since I need two of them! How does that rig work for you and what all extra do I need to make it work? Just a crotch strap? Do you use a STA?

 

[Amphibious]

I went with the deep sea supply right. no STA needed, good price. wish I would have known about BP/W setup from the beginning, hundreds of hours wasted in jackets


www.deepseasupply.com

spent nearly 100hrs in this rig in warm water, SS plate, 3mm suit and an AL80 tank. BP/W truly is the cats ass.

 

[M_Bipartitus]

I bought the 32lb HOG wing, steel BP, 2in crotch strap and no STA. However, I haven't dived it as such. Last year I was looking for everything except a wing to build a second BP/W dedicated for doubles. The package above was not much more than many places were charging for what I was looking for, so I decided I'd get a spare wing and call it good. As I was planning on doubles, I did not buy cam straps, but you will need those if you want to dive single tanks.

I already had a doubles wing I liked, so I decided I would get a singles wing. I wasn't expecting much of the 32lb HOG, but it turned out to be well built and the built-in STA is good enough for me. A solid STA may be a bit more stable, but if I feel I need it later, I can always add it. One great advantage of BP/W is it is easy to change as most parts from most manufacturers work together. If you' want teh extra stability of the STA and you don't need the extra weight, you may consider the less expensive lightweight STAs, such as those at Wings-STA. Note that the "soft single tank adaptor" listed here is basically the same as what is built-in to the HOG wing.

Since I normally dive dry and don't have steel single tanks, I still have a belt with some weight.

I'm happy with all the components, the 32lb HOG has become my primary singles wing. All the other stuff is what it is. I have no complaints about the SS BP, it's a piece of metal bent with holes in it, like most of the others. The harness & crotch strap are pretty standard & from a reputable manufacturer (Dive Rite), so nothing to gripe about there.


PS: The package was not assembled, but came with some instructions. I actually thing it's a good exercise to put it together yourself, with instructions and/or videos. It helps you understand every part of the system, such as how to adjust stuff.

 

[Tank601]

I went with the deep sea supply right. no STA needed, good price. wish I would have known about BP/W setup from the beginning, hundreds of hours wasted in jackets


www.deepseasupply.com

spent nearly 100hrs in this rig in warm water, SS plate, 3mm suit and an AL80 tank. BP/W truly is the cats ass.

What wings did you get?

 

[Amphibious]

I dive the LCD 30, but I am primarily a drysuit diver, it's a littler larger then I need for warm water dives, but isn't bothersome, serves both duties very well.

bomb proof wing, I really like it. the rubber tank support, combined with a BP made to take cam bands through it, is super supportive. my tank doesn't move at all.