Getting a BP/W, questions I have

[bdshort]

I've decided almost for certain that I'd like to move from my current BC, a 2 month old Pro QD with 20 dives on it, to a BP/W setup. The LDS sells DiveRite, so that is probably what I will get. For the harness, I'm looking at buying the TransPlate harness, though I'm also considering the deluxe harness since I think it costs a bit less. I'm really not interested in a hog harness at this time. I'm not to worried about the quick release buckles killing me, and I'm just a rec diver at this point anyway. Any advantages to the TransPlate harness over the deluxe harness?

Which wing should I get? I'm just doing single tank dives at this point, and into the forseeable near future. I was looking at the Venture wing (30# lift), but it seems a lot of the wings that the LDS has are the Rec wings, which supposedly work with both single and dual tanks. I kind of like the idea of having one wing that will work for both, and the rec wing still looks fairly compact (especially compared to my Pro QD!).

How will my weight change when I switch to the BP/W. The owner of the shop said the plate with the single tank adapter was about 8 lbs, so that's what I could drop from my belt, but I'm thinking the Pro QD is probably more positively buoyant than the Rec Wing and harness. Might I be able to drop more than that?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions, but that's what I have for now.

Brian

 

[PerroneFord]

I've decided almost for certain that I'd like to move from my current BC, a 2 month old Pro QD with 20 dives on it, to a BP/W setup. The LDS sells DiveRite, so that is probably what I will get. For the harness, I'm looking at buying the TransPlate harness, though I'm also considering the deluxe harness since I think it costs a bit less. I'm really not interested in a hog harness at this time. I'm not to worried about the quick release buckles killing me, and I'm just a rec diver at this point anyway. Any advantages to the TransPlate harness over the deluxe harness?

Buy the one with the least crap on it. Less stuff to toss out later. Or just buy the hog harness and save yourself a LOT of trouble. Really. Take the money you save and spend it on something important... like beer.

Which wing should I get? I'm just doing single tank dives at this point, and into the forseeable near future. I was looking at the Venture wing (30# lift),

Oxycheq Razor, DSS Torus, Golem, or Halcyon Eclipse (plastic inflator)

but it seems a lot of the wings that the LDS has are the Rec wings, which supposedly work with both single and dual tanks. I kind of like the idea of having one wing that will work for both, and the rec wing still looks fairly compact (especially compared to my Pro QD!).

It will work for both....it will work just as badly. Buy a single wing if you want to dive singles. A minute ago you said you were just a recreational diver, so why worry about doubles now?

How will my weight change when I switch to the BP/W. The owner of the shop said the plate with the single tank adapter was about 8 lbs, so that's what I could drop from my belt, but I'm thinking the Pro QD is probably more positively buoyant than the Rec Wing and harness. Might I be able to drop more than that?

Yep. Maybe 10-11 pounds would be my guess.

I'm sure I'll think of more questions, but that's what I have for now.

Ok.

 

[Jarrett]

FYI

There are some Dive Rite BP/W setups for sale in the classifieds here:

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=159448

I have a Dive Rite Rec Wing for sale in the classifieds here:

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=157957

 

[Jim Ernst]

i retired my sherwood avid,great bc, i bought the dive rite bp/w with the transplate harness, and the rec wing, it is the best i have ever had/used, i dont like the hog rig and feel it is way to much for rec diving, i had all of the help in my decision in what to buy from my instructor who is a MAJOR tech diver, he showed me all of many differant pro"s and con"s, i love the set up and feel you cant go wrong, i also feel it is not too much for just recreational diving!!! great rig!!

 

[bdshort]

Another reason I was looking at the rec wing was the extra lift. I dive with a trilam drysuit and undergarment, with 32# of extra lead, so I have a feeling that 30# of lift might not be enough. I am planning on diving in Florida in January, though I haven't decided on a wetsuit for that yet (looking at a 5/4 full), and I want to be able to use the same rig in both Alaska and Florida.

Brian

P.S. I dont like beer!

 

[PerroneFord]

Thirty two pounds eh? In an aluminum tank and a BC, I guess. That should drop to 20# or so.

Do a search through the board and see how many Recwings have been sold by people trying to get one wing for doubles and singles... If you need the lift, lots of manufactuers make good wings with 35-36# of lift. Buy one.

Don't like beer? Buy more salmon!

 

[PerroneFord]

i dont like the hog rig and feel it is way to much for rec diving,

way too much what?

 

[diveprof]

I've decided almost for certain that I'd like to move from my current BC, a 2 month old Pro QD with 20 dives on it, to a BP/W setup. The LDS sells DiveRite, so that is probably what I will get. For the harness, I'm looking at buying the TransPlate harness, though I'm also considering the deluxe harness since I think it costs a bit less. I'm really not interested in a hog harness at this time. I'm not to worried about the quick release buckles killing me, and I'm just a rec diver at this point anyway. Any advantages to the TransPlate harness over the deluxe harness?


For recreational diving (single tank 100cf steels, 80s), I like the transplate harness and use it. For doubles, I would go with the hog. Some folks think that the transplate harness adds potential failure points, but to me this is not an issue if we are talking single tanks.

Which wing should I get? I'm just doing single tank dives at this point, and into the forseeable near future. I was looking at the Venture wing (30# lift), but it seems a lot of the wings that the LDS has are the Rec wings, which supposedly work with both single and dual tanks. I kind of like the idea of having one wing that will work for both, and the rec wing still looks fairly compact (especially compared to my Pro QD!).
How will my weight change when I switch to the BP/W. The owner of the shop said the plate with the single tank adapter was about 8 lbs, so that's what I could drop from my belt, but I'm thinking the Pro QD is probably more positively buoyant than the Rec Wing and harness. Might I be able to drop more than that?


In the Dive Rite line, I would go with the Venture for single tank diving. Be careful and don't let them try to talk you into buying one wing to cover both singles and doubles. You will end up with a wing that doesn't do the job well for either. A rec wing will probably be to bulky for singles and not as streamlined. It will not handle heavy doubles. The 30# Venture wing works great for singles. The set up that I am using for single tank diving is the Transplate (SS plate) and Venture Wing. I went with the 32 pound pocket rather than the 16. I was a little concerned that this pocket would impact my streamlining, but it really doesn't if you position it towards the plate. In really don't often use the 32# weight pocket as a weight pocket. I use it to carry stuff - backup lights, safety sausage, finger spool, etc. It works great as a pocket for those who do not want to give up pockets when they switch to a BP/W. Diving my 7mm fullsuit with hood with a 100 steel tank, the 6# plate is all the weight I need. You are correct that your current BC probably has some significant bouyancy - probably 2-3 # at least. You will also like how the Transplate with venture wing travels for those tropical vacations. By the way, you do not need a single tank adapter with the Transplate/Venture wing. The cam bands thread through the plate and provide a sufficiently secure arrangement.

 

[sambolino44]

I'm also considering switching from a jacket-style BC to a harness/plate/wing system. I looked at some yesterday, and liked some components from one brand, and other components from another brand. Can you use a Halcyon Ecclipse wing with a Dive Rite TransPlate? How about with the TransPac? Or can you put the Dive Rite harness on a Halcyon plate? Anybody out there actually using a rig like this now? Thanks.

 

[wunat]

I've decided almost for certain that I'd like to move from my current BC, a 2 month old Pro QD with 20 dives on it, to a BP/W setup. The LDS sells DiveRite, so that is probably what I will get. For the harness, I'm looking at buying the TransPlate harness, though I'm also considering the deluxe harness since I think it costs a bit less. I'm really not interested in a hog harness at this time. I'm not to worried about the quick release buckles killing me, and I'm just a rec diver at this point anyway. Any advantages to the TransPlate harness over the deluxe harness?

I started of my BP+Wing with the TransPlate harness. I then ended up with the hog webbing which I prefer. Personally, I don't see hog harness as something for tech diving only. I love its simplicity. Getting in and out of it is much easier than I thought it would be at first.

Not saying TransPlate is not good though. Just would like to clarify the benefits of the hog harness is not dedicated to tech.

Which wing should I get? I'm just doing single tank dives at this point, and into the forseeable near future. I was looking at the Venture wing (30# lift), but it seems a lot of the wings that the LDS has are the Rec wings, which supposedly work with both single and dual tanks. I kind of like the idea of having one wing that will work for both, and the rec wing still looks fairly compact (especially compared to my Pro QD!).

I have a RecWing which I started with. I find it way too big for singles and not that good for doubles. I got a Halcyon Eclipse dedicated for singles and uses the RecWing for diving doubles. But I ain't that impress though it is manageable. I am thinking of getting either a Halcyon Evolve or Explorer instead. In other words, RecWing can manage both singles and doubles but it is not that effective for either.

If you will definitely get DiveRite, Venture wing is probably the better choice.

How will my weight change when I switch to the BP/W. The owner of the shop said the plate with the single tank adapter was about 8 lbs, so that's what I could drop from my belt, but I'm thinking the Pro QD is probably more positively buoyant than the Rec Wing and harness. Might I be able to drop more than that?

I'm sure I'll think of more questions, but that's what I have for now.

Yeap, you will certainly drop some weight switching to BP+Wing. As for how much, I would say to actually to a weight check with the gears.

There are a few other good manufacturers of BP+Wings out there. DiveRite makes good products and so are many others. If you have the chance, you might want to look into them as well.