First BP/W Options

[Scared Silly]

Just managed an SS Plate + wing, Drysuit, Fins and fixins at 49.5 lbs per the Southwest rep this morning. SS means regs need to be carried on in some circumstances, but that's it.

Ease of travel is the most important thing as 99% of dives in the near future involve flying. I work for an airline and often fly standby/jumpseat so if I can fit everything in a 22inch suitcase with some room to spare that would be ideal. Checking a bag is a last resort.

You missed the OP's note on how they fly. Yer checking a bag. The OP does not unless a last resort.

IMHO hard plates are PITA for traveling when compared to a soft plate. I have done both and now only travel with a soft plate unless specifically traveling and diving with doubles.

 

[Nemrod]

You missed the OP's note on how they fly. Yer checking a bag. The OP does not unless a last resort.

IMHO hard plates are PITA for traveling when compared to a soft plate. I have done both and now only travel with a soft plate unless specifically traveling and diving with doubles.

Out of curiosity, which soft plate are you using these days?

 

[Scared Silly]

We have been diving with the Zeagle Express Tech Backplate. I have their 30lb donut wing my spouse uses another which long ago Zeagle added a panel into. We made our own one piece harnesses, have weight pockets on the top and bottom tank bands, the bottom are releasable.

 

[happy-diver]

a plate at a reasonable price

half the plate for twice the price

Then y'all spend more money to substitute the weight you already paid twice the price for but didn't get

 

[Nemrod]

We have been diving with the Zeagle Express Tech Backplate. I have their 30lb donut wing my spouse uses another which long ago Zeagle added a panel into. We made our own one piece harnesses, have weight pockets on the top and bottom tank bands, the bottom are releasable.

Where are the lower harness attach points? I am always looking for new approaches to reduce gear bulk and weight and like soft plates in general. This one must work only within the Zeagle system and some other components attaches the harness at the lower positions? Interesting, thanks.

 

[Scared Silly]

Where are the lower harness attach points? I am always looking for new approaches to reduce gear bulk and weight and like soft plates in general. This one must work only within the Zeagle system and some other components attaches the harness at the lower positions? Interesting, thanks.

The website picture is the back (cylinder) side. There are rings on the front side for the harness. This video shows the harness assembly (about 2:20 you can see the rings).

 

[Sam757]

Thanks everyone! Going to head to the shop in the next few weeks and check out some options in person

 

[happy-diver]

in person is good you really have to finger this stuff and get a feel for it man

 

[Nemrod]

Thanks everyone! Going to head to the shop in the next few weeks and check out some options in person

Good luck, I would be surprised if any but a handful of stores actually have any of this in stock. They more likely will have pink poodle jackets and blue back inflates and matching fins and mask and importantly a matching snorkel.

A leap of faith. And some educated guess work. I do not know of any diver who does not constantly faff with their gear. Some, like one of my regular dive buddies, sees how much complexity and how many things he can hang from his outfit. Some others, possibly me , are constantly trying to remove everything in hopes of achieving some underwater Zen moment of perfection not yet achieved despite 57 years of diving trying. Either way you usually wind up with a pile of plates and wings.