First BCD - BP/W?

[Tank601]

Tobin has already responded, but I will add a comment. Your diving rig, when you needed so much weight, was NOT a BP/W but a traditional jacket BC. By and large, these are positively buoyant, sometimes quite a bit positive. On the other hand, when you use a streamlined 6 lb SS BP with a simple web harness (no padding), it is quite negative relative to the jacket, so quite a bit of weight can come off your waist. Years ago, when I made the change from a Zeagle Ranger to a SS BP/W, I had the same experience - I dropped a great deal of weight. As Tobin mentioned, your exposure suit makes a difference as well, particularly for the shallower dives (at depth, where the neoprene is fully compressed, not so much). But, you should see a big difference in weight requirements between the jacket and the SS BP. But, it is better to think of the relative difference, rather than the absolute weight required. The absolute weight will depend on you, on the exposure suit (as Tobin mentioned, if you throw a drysuit into the mix, you really find variability), the environment (fresh vs salt), etc. But, if you are in a 3mm full suit with a shorty over it, and require 20 lbs of lead, and you change from a jacket BC to a SS BP/W, and everything else stays the same (mask, fins, whatever) you may see a reduction in the required weight of at least 50%. And, as for the surprisingly small absolute weight requirements that Tobin may have discussed, in fairness you did start of saying 'I dive wet - warm water with shorty - one tank'. If you dive only a shorty you will probably need less weight than with a 3mm full suit.

I was accurate in my first description - I just change the scenario a bit to give him an idea of what my body required as far as in the sea water. I'm leaning heavily towards the BPW but according to scuba diving mag, the inherent buoyancy is 1.8 lbs? So how did you drop 10? Not that I don't believe you, just trying to understand...

 

[Tank601]

Deep Sea Supply Rig = $470

Techical Rig

Basic Rig $250
2" Crotch Strap $16
DiveRite Cambands $55
Book Bolts $10
=====================
Total $331

I stand corrected, $140 difference.

And, yes, I would still buy the DSS rig. A loyal bunch we are!

But since I have that very same HOG wing and I use it with my double-hose regulators, I would be more than willing to dive the TECHNICAL PACKAGE as well. In fact, I have used that wing on at least 3 different plates and it works just fine.

Richard

I also found ST has a DR rig for 375. I like the quality of DSS but I need to buy 2 rigs so money is an issue. I was looking at the scout initially at $200 a pop. The 375 is higher but i like the oxycheq wing. If I bought 2 - $750 vs. $940 - thats approx 200 clams!

 

[rrweather]

Dive Gear Express is selling the DR Hog harness for $70 (includes crotch strap). They are also selling the DR AL BP for $48 and the SS BP for $75. Dive Right In Scuba is selling the HOG 32lbs wing for $200. Throw in some cheap cam straps and you have a good setup.

DRIS also sells the Light Monkey harness for $40 so you could save a few bucks there as well.

 

[gtxl1200]

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.

I live near Matt hi Matt. Myself and another Buddy bought this same package and we love out HOG wing and Back plate. well built and a little easier on the wallet then the other brands. The wing is the 32lb wing for singles. I use a steel 130 with mine with no issues. I also just purchased the HOG regs that I will be trying out New years day.

 

[M_Bipartitus]

Well, I tried a HOG reg with the coldwater first stage today. Worked without problems, but it was only a 15min dive for me. Water temp: 40deg, Air temp: 19 deg No freezing, but a leaky drysuit and poor fin straps didn't let me stay very long or go deep. So I guess I can't say much. For the record, I also was using the HOG 32lb wing & backplate today. I can say it worked well, but again, I wasn't in the water long.

 

[Choyster]

Just my two cents:

I recently switched from the Knighthawk to an OxyCheq rig. I absolutely love the BP/W for all the reasons everyone else has stated and can't see ever going back. That being said, I probably did 50 dives with a jacket-style before going to back inflate and 100 dives using the back inflate BCD before going BP/W. I definitely would not have done it any other way. It's like the difference between Mac and Linux.

 

[CalgaryDF]

If you are concerned about cost you might want to look at the Zeagle Express Tech. They are $250 at ScubaToys, and they are similar to a BP/W. They do not have a lot of weight so they wouldn't help you take weight off.

I haven't used it, but it has received some very good reviews on the board recently.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...h-first-last-bc-most-will-ever-need-want.html

 

[Peter Guy]

In general, if you want the best tool for a job, you need the tool that is designed for the job. Sometimes just any old tool will work, but, there always seems to be the right tool and it just works better.

A Buoyancy Compensator is a tool. If you get one that is designed for the job you want to do (which is to comfortably fit you) you will PROBABLY be better off than getting one that is more of a "general use" (i.e., not specifically designed) type.

A few weeks ago I was diving with a guy who was very proud of his new BC that could be used for singles, doubles and side-mount -- that is he was very proud of it until it didn't work very well for his specific need. (BTW, I have no idea if he set it up wrong or if it was just part of the design compromise.) He ended up renting "the right tool" for the diving he was doing (and I've since seen that he has sold that particular BC/tool).

While an "all-purpose" BC may be cheaper (in the short run), I think people make a mistake by trying to buy a general purpose tool instead of getting the right one for the specific type of job/diving they are planning on doing. For the OP, the BP/W system, which allows for modifications (different wings, different tank setups), is probably the best -- although perhaps more expensive. But hey, isn't that why people work?

 

[Tank601]

These are some impressive wings!

YouTube - OxyCheq Mach V Extreme Wing

 

[Colliam7]

I'm leaning heavily towards the BPW but according to scuba diving mag, the inherent buoyancy is 1.8 lbs? So how did you drop 10?

If I understand the question correctly, I suspect the answer lies in the fact that we are talking about relative, not absolute buoyancy. The inherent buoyancy of a SS BP/W may absolutely be neutral, or even positive. But, the inherent buoyancy of most (material-laden) BCDs is much more positive. So, in moving from a 'standard' jacket BCD to a SS BP/W, you see a substantial shift in buoyancy, from relatively positive to less relatively positive, or even negative. The important part is the difference, not the absolute value.