first dive with BPW

[KevinNM]

BP/W needs careful adjustment to fit you. I adjusted mine based on an on-line article at home, then an instructor spent 20 minutes helping me adjust it. I ended up with tri-glides to prevent me from over-tightening it.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I'm late to this party, but I agree with those who say a BP/W is only "superior" because it is (or can be) inexpensive compared with a traditional BC with all kinds of bells and whistles, and because it's fairly indestructible. A metal plate lasts a lifetime--or more. Webbing can be replaced in minutes for little money. A wing can be repaired or replaced. On tropical trips, I use a small wing that folds up compactly in my baggage along with an identical spare. The plate, harness and two wings (one purchased used) probably cost what a traditional BC with all the bells and whistles might cost. But I'd gladly dive a traditional BC with a sensible amount of padding and neat features if someone wants to pay for it and have it ready for me at my destination. The weighting and stability benefits of a BP/W have always seemed secondary to me.

 

[AdivingBel]

Agree with Zoid...the big difference for me in trim and ease in the water was going to a back inflate whether or not it was a bp/w. I dived a Stiletto for years and enjoyed it. Then my wife started diving and liked my rig, so poof, now I needed a new rig (a more than fair trade off ). I got a soft plate with a small wing and a couple ditchable weight pockets I use for tropical diving 'cause it was cheap & light and I like to fiddle with stuff. I stole the saddle strap/crotch strap off the Stiletto (since the Stiletto had a cummerbund, wife didn't feel she needed it). I have a pocket I add for Bonaire/Curacao shore diving (leave nuttin' you love in the truck ), otherwise I clip stuff off and keep it streamlined. If someone wants to buy me another Stiletto or something similar, I would go back. I might have to toss some stuff out of my bag to make flight weight, but I'm not evangelical about it.

 

[dmaziuk]

If Outlaw was available at the time, and at around, say, Litehawk price, I may have well gone with that instead of a BP&W. I got a nice deal on the wing, plus el-cheapo aluminum plate, I think I ended up paying less than a hundred over a basic back-inflate's sale price -- modular design and ability to replace things later if I want are well worth that much to me. But I didn't expect an epiphany, nor did I lose any lead (but I did move it to the shoulder straps).

 

[KentB]

@KentB

Establish a relationship with a shop as a regular customer and you may very well get some discounts. That’s what’s happened in my case.

its a great idea for sure but shops are quite inconvenient for me with their open times, I probably haven't been to a dive shop in over a year. shy of grocery shopping i cant remember the last time i went into a store to buy something..... online ordering has made my life much easier for sure.

Yes. As in, a thousand bucks is three times more than three hundred no matter how many kids you don't have.

i think you missed my point completely. hobbies are funded by " disposable income" and if they're not.........well you have your priorities in life wrong. Persons A+B have the same income same mortgage same utilities same car payments...... person A is single person B is also supporting a stay at home mom/dad and 2 kids so he/she is supporting 4 people vs 1 person. Person B is going to look at spending $200-300 on a hobby different than person A will.
also comparing $400-$500 USD plus tax plus shipping plus credit card exchange rate plus possible import duties to $1100 CAD shipped with taxes in is not necessarily the big difference like your making it out to be. I don't buy anything used I cant physically see and hold, so unless its local the used market isn't something I look at.

either way Im hoping to get out tomorrow and will try it not so tight and report back.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

Even with conversion to CAD, taxes and credit card exchange a backplate and wing should never cost that much. DGX ships internationally.
DGX Custom - DGX Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing Package

 

[hammet]

Most rec divers cans spend thousands on vacations each year so an extra couple hundred on gear that will probably last 10 years for single tank diving is a drop in the bucket. Now professional divers, dive masters, and gonzo rec divers are most likely on a very tight budget so spending less for gear that is more configurable is the norm.

 

[dmaziuk]

i think you missed my point completely. hobbies are funded by " disposable income" and if they're not.........well you have your priorities in life wrong.

"That's how they stay rich" is a stereotype for a reason.

For whatever reason you had a disconnect between your expectations and the actual oomph delivered by the product you bought: buyer's remorse, whatever. Happens to all of us. I was pointing out that higher price tags tend to amplify that.

 

[BoltSnap]

Even with conversion to CAD, taxes and credit card exchange a backplate and wing should never cost that much. DGX ships internationally.
DGX Custom - DGX Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing Package

I think that the offering from D6 is a much better value and quality with more features. It is very difficult to compete with the D6 offering.

 

[divad]

I have the Halcyon Infinity. Love it. But I won it at an underwater pumpkin carving event my LDS has.

That sounds rigged....