Good all-purpose BC? Or BP w/ wings?

[MXGratefulDiver]

JohnCollins once bubbled...
I have a "traditional" BC and love it, and can get it trimmed just fine. However, if I replace it I'm going to try to dive the DiveRite Transpac II to check it out. I suspect I'll like the wings better based on the experience of others, and I don't plan on doing advanced technical diving, so I don't really care that the Trasnpac II doesn't appeal to the hardcore techies. I may never dive doubles, or more likely may only occasionally dive doubles, and the Transpac can do that.

I'd recommend that you try the TransPlate ... a BP/harness that uses the same shoulder straps as the TransPac II, but with a stainless steel backplate and wing. I purchased one recently (for less $$ than the Transpac II). I chose this model because I didn't want the traditional harness/BP (too difficult to doff/don for me). I like how easy it is to get into and out of.

My prior BC was a Scubapro Superhawk ... which I absolutely loved. But by my second dive in the TransPlate I was a BP/wing convert ... would never consider purchasing another BCD. The performance difference was very noticeable ... and the tank felt a lot more comfortable on my back than with my old BCD.

FWIW - I don't do tech diving. I'm strictly a recreational diver. I dive a single tank. But I have to admit that the BP/wings folks have a valid point on this one.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[concollective]

Thanks for the advice, which I truly appreciate (as I do all the advice offered in this thread). I know I've got to try various BC's and BPs w/ wings for myself to really know, but let me ask: when you say

MikeFerrara once bubbled...
After using a bp/wing I have no desire to use a bc ever again.

why is it that you feel that way? Better control of your buoyancy? Comfort? Streamlining? A combination?

 

[concollective]

Doc Intrepid once bubbled...
Why do you want to go diving?

If you want to only do underwater tourism on tropical vacations, either will serve you well.

If you harbor the potential desire to dive more frequently under a wider range of circumstances, you may find yourself happier with one than the other.

Figure out what you want to do, and then - as Mike said - go try on about a dozen different selections. If you can, try them on in a pool. You can find retailers with rental bp/wings.

Then buy the one that will serve best for the type of diving you think you want to do.

I'm getting the impression from this thread that, while traditional BCs can certainly be adquate, many divers prefer the BC w/ wings in that it lacks many of the drawbacks of traditional BCs and is, therefore, better for technical diving -- i.e., as you say, diving that isn't just "underwater tourism on tropical vacations." A sincere question: what do you mean when you refer to a more demanding form of diving? Deeper depths? Non-tropical waters? (I understand that "technical diving," in the simplest sense, means diving that requires special skill sets to do safely overhead environments, let's say, or decompression diving. But I'm not getting how technical diving is related to a preference for BPs w/ wings).

With the very little experience I have so far, I can tell that I'm going to love almost any dive environment because I really enjoy the techical aspects of diving, the science and art of it . . . but in the sense that diving probably will never be my day job, it would always be "recreational" for me. (Gulp. Am I doomed to always be deemed an "underwater tourist"?)

All this is my sadly verbose way of asking a question to your question about figuring out what kind of diving I want to do: what kind of diving is a BP w/ wings good for, and why? Thanks in advance for any wisdom you might want to offer.

 

[Bloop]

I am strictly a recreation diver and I love the Transpac. Freedom of movement, luxurious comfort and cool gadgets all contribute to my choice. Anyway, it looks way cool!!!!

I can also change the wings to suit any type of diving and if the day comes when I decide to do tec.... I can still use the wings and save a lot of cash. I just have to pop in to Dive Rite shops and get a BP and some webbing... or I can try to transfer my harness over to the BP... ( I rather not disect my Transpac as it is too good to salvage for parts....)

Get the idea... go the Transpac way and enjoy your dives.... then when you want to do tech... just need to get the BP... you already have the wings.

 

[concollective]

SeaJay once bubbled...
Here's an article I wrote on the subject:

http://www.bftwave.net/lcscuba/homebc.html

Great article. I'd recommend it to other newbies in search of solid advice and credible information. Thanks!

 

[SeaJay]

It was long in-coming... I wish someone had been able to tell me those things when I was looking for my first BC.

...So I put it together to help others debating the advantages and disadvantages of a backplate and wings vs. the "normal," commercially available BC's from manufacturers like SeaQuest, Mares, Dacor, and ScubaPro.

I tested a lot... And there's quite a bit on the market that I like... The SeaQuest Black Diamond and it's little brother the Balance, along with ScubaPro's Classic Plus and the Dive Rite Transpac II were all favorites of mine.

...So unlike many bp/wing "converts," I have good things to say about lots of BC's on the market.

Unfortunately, none of them had the performance, durability, and customizability of a bp/wing. Mostly, I purchased mine simply for the reason that I spent most article talking about; it's uncanny perfect trim and balance.

I must admit that after 100 dives or so with my bp/wing, I'm in love with it now more than ever... And for the same reasons. It also looks and performs exactly like it did when it was new. If the key is consistency, the bp/wing also wins in that category, hands down.

I appreciate the kind words regarding the article. My hopes are that it will help someone else looking for an answer to the question of which BC is "right" for them... Or at least explain why there seems to be such a bp/wing "convert" concentration here on Scubaboard.

Good luck in finding the right one for you, man.

 

[mleong]

I use to dive a USD Sonic rental bc. Simple to use. I need about 6 pc of lead to decend. At the surface, when fully inflated, it restrict breathing a it, not too comfy.

Finally bought a Ranger after hearing a lot of good reviews on it (at www.scubadiving.com). Very Comfortable bc, durable (1050 Bal. Nylon), more than enough lift (45#), very comfortable at the surface when fully inflated(while waiting for the boat) and integrated weight pockets(relieve the strain on my backs).
The downside of it is that due to the amount of nylon used in the Ranger, it is a bit bouyant, and also it is a hell trying to lift the bc with tank and weights( I need 8 pc of lead to decend).

After getting hold of a blue print of a backplate, I got one made here in Malaysia. Tried it out with my Ranger wing in a pool. It really feels different. First, I only need 2 pc of lead, and with the weight of the backplate, it is enough to decend. Second, it allows more freedom of hand movement and the tank is very stable on the back. I wear a 3mm full suit so I have enough padding.

After trying out, I immediately order a Oxycheq wing and a backplate from S&W Metal works. I think this will serve me well. (Still waiting to actually try it out on a dive though)

MIchael

 

[Ganzoe]

Hi all....It has been very interesting reading your articles and I truely appreciate you providing feedback about BCs currently out there in the market.....believe me it makes things so much easier since I am now at the process of selling my BC and purchasing a new one.

I am currently a recreational diver and own a very clumsy and heavy Mares Powertech which I truely regret buying....I am currently looking to go streamline under water as I feel like there are just too many things hugging around my body....after reading your articles I think I might go for the BP/wing configuration.

However there are questions which I have and hopefully people here can help me out with.

Firstly its the weight of the back plate....how heaavy is it compared to just a normal padded BCD?....I am thinking of it from the point of view that I travel quite frequently overseas for my diving. Will it be a problem packing it into my luggage for overseas travel?...will it take up alot of space...I am sure it will not be as bad as the BC I have now!

Secondly, are there weight pockets available for it or do I have to go back to use weight belts which I truely hate using.

Thirdly, what is a good brand to buy for a BP/wing rig?....I heard either dive rite or halcyon are reputable brands.

AG

 

[ABQdiver]

Ganzoe once bubbled...
Firstly its the weight of the back plate....how heaavy is it compared to just a normal padded BCD?....I am thinking of it from the point of view that I travel quite frequently overseas for my diving. Will it be a problem packing it into my luggage for overseas travel?...will it take up alot of space...I am sure it will not be as bad as the BC I have now!

It can actually be heavier than a regular BC. If you factor in the BP which can be an aluminum at 2#, 6# for a standard thickness SS, or 9-11# for a heavy BP.
If you travel, use a aluminum or even a travel BP (from Koplin) you could save a lot of weight. I've taken my SS plate and wings on a trip and with all the other stuff required, did fill up a suit case pretty well. I have to say the BP&Wings does pack a lot better than the Ranger I used to use.

Secondly, are there weight pockets available for it or do I have to go back to use weight belts which I truely hate using.

Thirdly, what is a good brand to buy for a BP/wing rig?....I heard either dive rite or halcyon are reputable brands.

AG [/B]

With a plate and even a weighted STA you won't have to use or carry much weight on a belt. Try one of the soft weight belts instead. They are quite a bit more comfortable.

For your third question: You can't go wrong with a Halcyon system. I have one of their Pioneer BP&W and it's great. However they aren't cheap and the options just keep getting broader every day.
Check out
Koplins backplates and OxyCheq's wings. VERY nice!! Fred T has some awesome plates as well.
Dive Rite has some interesting equipment, but I don't have any experience with them.

Don't forget to match your backplate and wings to the exposure suit and conditions you dive.

 

[SeaJay]

Ganzoe once bubbled...

Firstly its the weight of the back plate....how heaavy is it compared to just a normal padded BCD?

The most common bp/wing includes a 6 pound plate. This, of course, means that six pounds comes off of your waist, whether it be a weight belt or integrated weights. How much weight do you normally dive with, and what sort of diving are you doing? Do you dive singles? Aluminum tanks? What's the thickness of your wetsuit, and do you dive salt or freshwater?

....I am thinking of it from the point of view that I travel quite frequently overseas for my diving. Will it be a problem packing it into my luggage for overseas travel?

Absolutely not. There are two advantages of bp/wings in this arena... Firstly, that it packs up MUCH better than "normal" BCs, because it can fold flat like a pancake. There is no padding to "bulk up." Second, a bp/wing typically has so much less cloth and padding on it than a regular BC that it dries much faster than a regular BC. Not only does this make for better packing, but it can actually weigh LESS than a regular BC that's still wet on your trip home.

...Then there's the option like ABQdiver mentioned... You can use an aluminum plate which is only around 1 pound... Effectively saving even more weight for travel.

I am sure it will not be as bad as the BC I have now!

Yep, that's exactly what I hear a lot of divers say.

Secondly, are there weight pockets available for it or do I have to go back to use weight belts which I truely hate using.

I'm with ya on that. I can't stand them, personally.

the answer to that question, exactly like ABQdiver said, is that if you do choose a "normal" plate, instantly 6 pounds comes off of your belt - making them much more palatible. In fact, many divers (myself included) choose a 6, 7, or 8 pound plate because that way we need no additional weight of any kind when diving in freshwater. When I dive salt, I simply thread a couple of three pounders on my harness. Halcyon makes their ACB pockets as well, which are exactly the same as your BC's regular "ditchable" weight pockets.

Additionally, there are other options. There are some manufacturers who are making a sort of weight pocket for your harness that's simple, easy to use, and inexpensive, too. For more information, check out http://thedecostop.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2275&highlight=seajay+pocket . (Sorry, I've been asked not to "advertise" them here, even though I'm not on payroll for the company that makes them. Thus, you'll have to check them out at the other board.)

Thirdly, what is a good brand to buy for a BP/wing rig?....I heard either dive rite or halcyon are reputable brands.

AG

Yes, that is very true, although there are many other excellent brands as well.

My recommendation is to call the experts in the field of backplates, Extreme Exposure in High Springs, FL. They're owned by the same people who make Halcyon equipment, but that does not make them any less expert at this. I also recommend picking up the book "The Fundamentals of DIR," which is a book that describes and addresses your desire to simplify and streamline your gear. Believe me, that thought process is shared by a bunch of people.

But talk to them there are EE. Their website is http://www.Extreme-Exposure.com . Additionally, the "Fundamentals of DIR" is discussed pretty much in depth in some other articles on my site, http://www.LCscuba.com Click on "Talk" and then anything that talks about DIR.