First "Real" BC Advice

[Scott T]

Thanks for all the advice everybody. I think at this point I'd be a fool to at least not check into the BP/W setup. A few things I have questions about though.

Where does the dive weight come from? (I don't like using weight belts)
If I want to take a dive light on every dive (even a smaller one during day dives), where do I put it if there are not any pockets?
I understand how it would be smaller to pack, but isn't it a bit heavier than a standard back-inflate BCD? If so, how much?
What's the main price range for a BP/W and what is a good brand to look into?
If I don't spend the money right now for my own regulator setup and continue to rent, will I have any problems with hose lengths using the BP/W?
It seems from what I've read that the plate and harness will be the same even if I decide to dive doubles in the future. Is this the case?

Well, that should do for a start.

Scott

 

[The Kraken]

1: Well, you get about 6 pounds from the back plate, if it's steel. You can use either a weight belt, or buy weight pockets and put on your waist strap.

2: Clip you light off on you waist d-ring. (I clip my primary on my right waist d-ring and my back up on my right shoulder d-riong)

3: Price range can vary a lot with the manufacturer of the wing. Most plates (steel) go for around $100 to $125 or so. A singles wing can run from about $200 to $350.

4: Hose lengths are no problem. A BP/Wing is nothing more than a minimalist B/C.

5: It can be. There are various back plates available. Some are more suited to diving a single tank than others. You'll need to do a little research of you own on this one. But the configuration, itself, will not change between doubles and singles.

the K

 

[cool_hardware52]

Thanks for all the advice everybody. I think at this point I'd be a fool to at least not check into the BP/W setup. A few things I have questions about though.

Where does the dive weight come from? (I don't like using weight belts)
If I want to take a dive light on every dive (even a smaller one during day dives), where do I put it if there are not any pockets?
I understand how it would be smaller to pack, but isn't it a bit heavier than a standard back-inflate BCD? If so, how much?
What's the main price range for a BP/W and what is a good brand to look into?
If I don't spend the money right now for my own regulator setup and continue to rent, will I have any problems with hose lengths using the BP/W?
It seems from what I've read that the plate and harness will be the same even if I decide to dive doubles in the future. Is this the case?

Well, that should do for a start.

Scott

The Kraken hit most of the major points well.

Let me touch on weighting and weight belts. It is a common request to "get ride of the weight belt" While that may be possible with a BP&W it may always be in your best interest.

Commonly newish divers in jacket BC are carring a LOT of weight. Partly because they are overweighted, and partly because they need 2-4 lbs just to overcome the inherent buoyancy of a jacket BC.

Let's say you are currently overweighted by 2-4 lbs (maybe not, but play along)
And your BC's that you have been using are 2-4 lbs positive.

When you use a 6 lbs plate and harness, get correctly weighted, and loose the buoyant BC you could see a weight belt reduction of up to 14 lbs! This is admittly just an illustration, but it's fairly typical.

If you are currently wearing a 20 lbs belt (ouch!) I'm sure you'd find a 6 lbs belt much less of a problem.

I'm not a fan of having all your ballast on your rig. Better to have some on the ring and some on your person.

Good luck with your research.


Tobin