Good BC to start out with?

[AaronR103]

Take a look at Halcyon. Simple and well-made though a bit pricey. I've found that a bunch of padding in the straps doesn't make a lot of difference particularly through a wet or dry-suit. Some people like bells and whistles though, and the halcyon certainly doesn't have those.

A

 

[spacemanspiff1974]

DSS certainly makes a nice backplate, but in my opinion, it isn't necessary.

Things I would look for in a backplate would include slots for a cam band which gives you the option of diving without a single tank adapter - providing that the wing is set up for this. I would also look for enough holes to attach a backplate pocket if you feel the need.

If you can find a titanium backplate, skip it. It is a solution looking for a problem.

 

[lof]

I have been reading the thread on the backplate/w setup and trying to learn more about it, basically you buy all the parts and put them together? And so you can build a custom BC that fits you exactly? While it does seem like a good idea, I'm not sure if I want to have to bother with that where I am in diving, not sure though, I will research it some more.

Thanks

You do not have to put parts together. We carry several combos ready to dive.
http://www.golemgear.com/c-2-bcdswings.aspx
There are also weight pockets available that will fit the Combos.

 

[djanni]

You do not have to put parts together. We carry several combos ready to dive.
http://www.golemgear.com/c-2-bcdswings.aspx
There are also weight pockets available that will fit the Combos.

Jakub:

At this link to your web site http://www.golemgear.com/pc-197-2-deepseasupply-pro-fit-hybrid-kydex-backplate.aspx the weight of the DSS Kydex backplates are shown in 3 places. Each place gives a different weight. How much do they weigh?

 

[cool_hardware52]

Jakub:

At this link to your web site http://www.golemgear.com/pc-197-2-deepseasupply-pro-fit-hybrid-kydex-backplate.aspx the weight of the DSS Kydex backplates are shown in 3 places. Each place gives a different weight. How much do they weigh?

I don't know what is shown on the golem site, as it's not responding this morning, but I do know what my plates weigh.

Small 1.4 lbs
Medium 1.65 lbs
Large 1.85 lbs

Because these Hybrid plates are part Kydex, which is close to the density of water
(SG 1.35) they are only slightly negative. The medium is only 0.7 lbs negative, the small is a little less and the large is slightly more, all under one lbs negative.

Tobin

 

[lof]

Jakub:

At this link to your web site http://www.golemgear.com/pc-197-2-deepseasupply-pro-fit-hybrid-kydex-backplate.aspx the weight of the DSS Kydex backplates are shown in 3 places. Each place gives a different weight. How much do they weigh?

There are three sizes of Kydex BP, each has its own weight displayed in the table. The 2lb weight is the shipping weight.

 

[djanni]

There are three sizes of Kydex BP, each has its own weight displayed in the table. The 2lb weight is the shipping weight.

I see someone updated the web page correcting the weight for the 3 different plates.

Okay on the shipping weight... the site just doesn't indicate it's a shipping weight.

 

[djanni]

I don't know what is shown on the golem site, as it's not responding this morning, but I do know what my plates weigh.

Small 1.4 lbs
Medium 1.65 lbs
Large 1.85 lbs

Because these Hybrid plates are part Kydex, which is close to the density of water
(SG 1.35) they are only slightly negative. The medium is only 0.7 lbs negative, the small is a little less and the large is slightly more, all under one lbs negative.

Tobin

I bet you tried to get in while they were updating the page. It's been corrected now. See, I still think about a purchase. I'm flying to India in June. Bangalore. Might take a trip to the Maldives. That Kydex plate, harness and wing would weigh practically nothing and pack real neat and tidy. Do you have an old beat up rig you want to get rid of for a $100 or so?

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

DSS single tank rig will make you happy. For cold water diving, I didn't find that weight integrated BC's could really handle the weight needed. The DSS with the weight plates turned out to be ideal for me.

And for tropical, you just pop off the weight plates if you want. It's a very cool system.

IMHO, there's absolutely no point in paying for Halcyon and all the associated problems with their inflator when DSS gear is better in the first place. Halcyon is a brand name the DIR guys get hung up on.

In any event, for cold, I'd go with a BP/W of some sort. They are also the smallest-packing BCs you can find, so it's the ideal solution for my cold water and vacationing. There's a lot of talk about the DSS plate, deservedly so, but it should be mentioned also that the DSS wing is a thing of beauty.

 

[djanni]

There's a lot of talk about the DSS plate, deservedly so, but it should be mentioned also that the DSS wing is a thing of beauty.

If you could pick the color of the embroidery then "thing of beauty might apply. Orange... reminds me of the Longhorns and I'm a Razorback.