from BI to BP/W (?)

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Good idea when that option is available. Many dive resorts, especially in the third world, don't carry steel.
 
cool_hardware52:
Why would he change? Wrong application. Give him a steel 120 and maybe the Kydex is great.

Tobin

Tobin: Wrong application....? Yeah, and that's the usual problem with most of these posts. Generalized statements are made. No specific application is pointed out. Someone says "with a steel plate you move weight up and onto the back and this and that is, therefore, better."

My point was the weight of the plate has little to do with it. Weight distribution is the key.

So, as you said, and I follow your logic perfectly, if one wears, for example a Knighthawk, all he/she needs to do is get a steel 120 and now trim is top notch and they're stable as hell.
 
Don Janni:
Tobin: Wrong application....? Yeah, and that's the usual problem with most of these posts. Generalized statements are made. No specific application is pointed out. Someone says "with a steel plate you move weight up and onto the back and this and that is, therefore, better."

My point was the weight of the plate has little to do with it. Weight distribution is the key.

So, as you said, and I follow your logic perfectly, if one wears, for example a Knighthawk, all he/she needs to do is get a steel 120 and now trim is top notch and they're stable as hell.


Don,

I'm often not sure if you don't understand, or just prefer to be difficult. You asked a question with a flawed premise. I rejected the flawed premise. I offered no logic, just a solution.

What more can I say. Different weight back plates have different uses. If somebody's trimed out well with a certain tank and plate and exposure suit why would they suddenly switch to something else? Where is the logic in that?

Tobin
 
Halthron:
Good idea when that option is available. Many dive resorts, especially in the third world, don't carry steel.

Tank availablity can be a problem. If the question is "How do you trim out a diver using a Kydex plate, 3mm suit and an AL80?" There are other solutions. Weight pouches / bullet weights on the cambands are an obvious choice. Ankle weights hung on around the valve. Ankle weights zipped tied to side of the plate. Lots of simple ways to solve the problem.

Are these the prefered way if either a SS backplate and or Steel cylinder is available? No, but in a pinch they will work.


Tobin
 
cool_hardware52:
Don,

I'm often not sure if you don't understand, or just prefer to be difficult. You asked a question with a flawed premise. I rejected the flawed premise. I offered no logic, just a solution.

What more can I say. Different weight back plates have different uses. If somebody's trimed out well with a certain tank and plate and exposure suit why would they suddenly switch to something else? Where is the logic in that?

Tobin

Well that's the pot calling the kettle black. I don't think you even read these threads thoroughly. I'm very sure you assume too much.

I never ask a question. Your logic (solution) was that by adding a steel 120 one can regain the trim and stability otherwise lost by virture of a lightweight Kydex plate. That is what you said. I actually agreed with your primise that a heavy tank accomplishes the same thing as a heavy steel plate with an AL80.

Anyway, enough.... if you want to continue to try to prove you're right and I'm wrong then PM me.

Don
 
Don Janni:
Well that's the pot calling the kettle black. I don't think you even read these threads thoroughly. I'm very sure you assume too much.
I never ask a question.
Don Janni:
Now, the only thing he changes is to switch to a Kydex plate. So the extra 3 lbs would, most likely, go to the belt. The trim characteristics are now changed, right?

This is the question I referred to. Your premise that properly trimed diver would choose to change to a different plate and suffer difficuties is what I rejected.

Thread is filled with your examples of divers switching to DSS products and suffering problems:

Don Janni:
If your logic was correct it would mean someone using a plastic backplate, like a DSS Kydex (1.6 lbs) for example, would have serious trim and stability issues (post #15)

&

Now, the only thing he changes is to switch to a Kydex plate. So the extra 3 lbs would, most likely, go to the belt. The trim characteristics are now changed, right? 60% of the weight of the plate is now on the belt and only 18% of the total weight is up over the lungs.

So comparred to his SS plate and in keeping with the general opinion on bp/w's his trim isn't as good and he is less stable. (post #19)

Pretty easy for the casual reader to get the impression that Lightweight Plates always cause problems.........they don't when properly employed.

Forgive me if I couldn't recognise you were agreeing with me, it's an infrequent event.


Tobin
 
utnapistim:
uuuuhhh ....

so....

about the potential advantages of switching? :D

Is your question "What are the advantages of using a Lightweight Plate?"

The advantages of our lightweight Kydex plate are:

Less baggage weight for travel. Most dive travel is to warm sunny places. In warm water you typicaly use less exposure suit. Less suit means less weight is needed. Even if one would benefit from a SS plate's weight the travel issue may still dictate using a lightweight plate and adapting weight to it at the destination.

Our Kydex plate is slightly flexible, this can be more comfortable when wearing little of no exposure suit.

Near neutral in the water, a great help in the right application, such as heavy doubles in warm fresh water. With little exposure suit in fresh water it's easy to be overweighted.

Let me know if you have other questions,



Tobin
 
I have used a Zeagle Scout BI for a few years. I dive a 5/4 wetsuit and need 6 lbs weight, which I put in the trim pockets attached to the tank bands. I have considered switching to a BP/W but since I only dive single tanks, usually AL80, I have not been able to convince myself it would be worth the cost.

I already have good fit and trim; I see perhaps a slight improvement in trim using a BP, but with my weights already close to the center of my back I am not sure if the difference would be very noticable. Can anyone give a reason why my trim would improve if I was using an AL BP vs my Scout?
 
Kupu:
I have used a Zeagle Scout BI for a few years. I dive a 5/4 wetsuit and need 6 lbs weight, which I put in the trim pockets attached to the tank bands. I have considered switching to a BP/W but since I only dive single tanks, usually AL80, I have not been able to convince myself it would be worth the cost.

I already have good fit and trim; I see perhaps a slight improvement in trim using a BP, but with my weights already close to the center of my back I am not sure if the difference would be very noticable. Can anyone give a reason why my trim would improve if I was using an AL BP vs my Scout?

If you can spread the COG over a wider area, the result will not be better balance, but better stability. The 6 pounds you use now is centered in a very narrow area, where a BP will spread that weight out and give you better stability. Think of a tight rope walkers pole.
 

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