Flexible setup for singles and Twins

[alexxred]

Hi,

Having just completed my rescue course I have certainly been bitten by the diving bug. Now I am looking at getting a BCD setup. I live in Melbourne Australia and will be doing a range of diving from single tank to technical diving - checking out wrecks etc. But also will be diving in Asia which presents different all sorts of diving again.

At first I was looking at a Zeagle Ranger, but I think that I will be doing alot of diving with Twins so thought it might be better to consider either a backplate system or something like the DiveRite TransPac with their Rec wings which would serve both well. However it seems that some say that once you dive with a backplate you will never go back. Others say that this system is getting a little specific (also mentioning comfort and that a backplate can damage a dry suit over time) and that a back plate it really no good for use with a single tank. Also in terms of weights integration vs a belt, I can see the both the pros and cons of it. So far it seems that most tech divers prefer a weight belt, especially if wearing a dry suit. And with double's I guess you would not need that much weight. Any thoughts on what would work best would be appreciated.

Cheers

Alex

 

[Rick Murchison]

I own & use jackets, BP/wings and a Transpac. For what you describe I recommend the Transpac, with travel/Venture wing for singles and a Rec or Classic wing for doubles.
Rick

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I think a back plate and wing is the way to go as it allows you a lot more flexibility.

The Rec Wing works well with a Trans Pac with doubles but tends to get compressed between the tanks and backplate if you use anything larger than 6.9" diameter tanks. So even doubled AL 80's are problematic.

I have also found that combination singles and doubles wings tend to do both jobs minimally adequately but do neither job well. Even with bungees, you get a lot of the taco effect with a combination wing on a single and on doubles they tend to have too narrow a profile for optimum stability.

You are better off using a separate wing for singles and doubles or alternatively just buy a doubles wing and use doubles all the time. I use independent doubles when traveling as it allows the use of rented single tanks and avoids having to ship my own tanks, talk dive shop owners into letting me manifold their tanks, find a shop that rents doubles, etc.

You then have the option of either managing them during the dive(s) as doubles or using them sequentially as more or less a single and a really large pony bottle.

I prefer integrated weight pockets on my BP and wing, but the nice thing is the system is modular so you can add and delete items to meet your specific needs and preferences.

I have not found it to be a problem with the backplate wearing holes in the dry suit as long as you take a little time with a file and debur and radius the bottom edge of the back plate. Alternatively, a few companies sell a packpad that fits over their backplate and will protect the dry suit (as long as you take care not to raise any burrs on the heads of the screws that hold the pad in place).