going with a bp/w

[coldwaterkid]

im going to be diving in the great lakes, primarily huron up in tobermory on wrecks and the such, now what would be the the best bp/w for my situation? i like the zeagle ranger ltd alot and was wondering if there is anything else i should consider.

 

[SDAnderson]

Without more information, a meaningful answer isn't really possible. Singles or doubles make a big difference, as does your height/weight and even what your buddies are wearing.

In general, the manufacturer isn't all that important when choosing a backplate. Single tank divers normally choose steel plates for their weight. Doubles divers might choose aluminum for the same reason. Traveling divers might choose aluminum or even high-impact plastic. Tall divers sometimes choose one of the longer plates. I like mine to have lotsa holes in them to hang argon bottles and SMB's from. I don't like plates that have slots instead of holes for the tank bolts.

Make sure that the wing will fit with your tank. Halcyon made (IMHO) a mistake a couple of years ago when they came out with a single tank wing design with an internal STA that wouldn't fit well on some backplates made by other manufacturers. Be sure to assemble whatever system you're considering before you buy so that you can see that it fits together properly. Value design flexibility over creative novelty.

Search BWOD and you'll get some information about wing design that is pertinent.

Frankly, I'd steer away from Halcyon right now. They've been having a string of QC issues with a couple of their inflator designs over the past few years and are in the middle of a big recall campaign. After paying out of my own pocket to replace my old cludgy inflators with new improved ones, the new ones have now been recalled to be replaced with newer ones...they charge a premium price for a less-than-advertised level of quality.

In addition to the wings made by Dive Rite, Halcyon and OMS, I'd definitely look at the wings being sold by OxyCheq and Deep Outdoors. I've not had a chance to play with the OxyCheq wing but I have a lot of confidence in Patrick Duffy. The Deep Outdoors wings include a line of the dreaded BWOD (read "internal compression bands") but some don't. The ones I've seen are well made and people have been saying nice things about them.

For what it's worth, I own two Halcyon wings and one from ScubaPro. I've got backplates from FredT, Halcyon and Dive Rite and a soft pack from ScubaPro.

Happy hunting!

 

[Rick Inman]

Reefraff said it.
And as much as I hate when people say, "Do a search", you absolutly do want to do a search on this one. Then give yourself a couple hours of reading time.

 

[Glitch]

Coldwater Kid I just bought the Freedom SS backplate and the Element Wing and so far I am really happy with it. Prior to buying it I checked out both the Zeagle and Halcyon backplates and this one was so much better manufactured. The Zeagle backplate was not at all as smooth on the edges as this one and for the Halcyon it was quite a bit more expensive and not as convincing as the deepoutdoors setup. I have done about 20 (tropical) dives on the setup so far and I have only good things to say about it. Just get properly weighted first
It´s really a good well thought through product and I highly recommend it. If you have any questions in particular let me know and I´ll answer them as good as I can.

Cheers

/C

 

[murph-diver]

After approx. 200 dives, I have just recently cashed in my BCD for an Oxycheq wing/Backplate set up with a single tank, now after approx. 10 dives with the new set up I can see the advantages. Stay in touch i will let you know how i get on

 

[dlndavid]

Reefraff said it.
And as much as I hate when people say, "Do a search", you absolutly do want to do a search on this one. Then give yourself a couple hours of reading time.

Now that's funny :lol:

 

[cameron]

If you are diving up here in the cold water I assume you would be using a drysuit. If you are for sure set on a BP/W for a single tank set up I would get a wing with around 30 lbs lift and a stainless steel back plate. Most plates are 1/8 inch but you can get 1/4 plates that can help take more off your belt. If you are in doubles it is a different can of worms...

 

[aquaoren]

Now that's funny :lol:

You did notice that you resurrected another old thread, didn't you?

 

[Hank49]

Frankly, I'd steer away from Halcyon right now. They've been having a string of QC issues with a couple of their inflator designs over the past few years and are in the middle of a big recall campaign. After paying out of my own pocket to replace my old cludgy inflators with new improved ones, the new ones have now been recalled to be replaced with newer ones...they charge a premium price for a less-than-advertised level of quality.!

reefraff, what was the problem with the inflator? I just got a Pioneer 27 a month ago and had heard nothing of it. Is this new model affected? Hank

 

[dlndavid]

You did notice that you resurrected another old thread, didn't you?

:11: