Had enough from jacket...

[maged_mmh]

...so time to move now for a back-inflate!
But since i'm lazy do all the thinking alone i would ask you views for this:

first i was thinking of getting something like the knight hawk BC; but i'm not sure whether in future I'll need the double taks capability? I know that there is some solution to allow 2 tacks usage with the knight hawk but not sure whether lift capacity will be sufficient...

so i went looking for BP/W setups, honestly, i have no idea what parts sould be ordered and how it is all set-up, but these maybe a later stage, to begin i want to make sure that it is what i really "need" rather than "want" or "looks nicer".

i would appreciate your inputs as well as some education for the parts of the BP/W and how they're put together.

oh, BTW, is the crotch strap a real necessity??

 

[pickens_46929]

Contact Tobin at DeepSeaSupply... he'll get you set up correctly.

http://www.deepseasupply.com

His equipment is awesome!

I wouldn't say it's a necessity but it ... yeah it is pretty much.

 

[kf4zht]

I tried on a knighthawk and had a couple issues with it.
The first was that the inflator/dump valve was directly on top of the shoulder, instead of a couple inches back. While this probably would not be a big deal in the water, it was uncomfortable with just the BC on, add a tank and it would have made it a very uncomfortable hike anywhere.

Second was that while it was high priced BC the quality was not that much better than a zeagle that cost several hundred less. Not saying it was cheap, but you can get something that seems to be just as good for less.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Another vote for Tobin at Deep Sea Supply. The fact that you even mentioned doubles is like a self fulfilling prophecy. Do not waste money on a bc that 2 years down the line will have to be modified to do something it was never truly intended to do. GO check out the website and look at the single tank rig setups. Then call or shoot an email to Tobin with your stats and weighting requirements. I've sold a couple of these to students/customers of mine and everyone is completely satisfied. ANd if they say nothing else in common they all say that they love the fact that you fit the rig to you. You do not have to settle for what some manufacturer thinks your size should be. My next choice would be a Hollis set up. Not as big a selection of wings but good stuff with a solid rep for service after the sale. You also have the option of a few more goodies on the harness like shoulder pads weight set up etc. Whichever you choose if you are even considering doubles in the future a BPW is your only good choice. Unless you like throwing money away.

 

[Standingbear56]

Ditto for Tobin!

 

[bdshort]

Go for it... lots of good manufacturers. I went with OxyCheq's Mach V wing and plate, but lots of people here like DSS and Tobin. You really can't go wrong with either of those. DSS has some great deals though.

I don't know if a crotch strap is necessary or not. I have one on my SS plate which I've never tried without, but I have no desire to remove it. I also have the new ultralight plate from OxyCheq, with no crotch strap. I've used it in the pool once, and didn't once think I needed a strap on it. That was with a wetsuit... normally I dive dry.

 

[cool_hardware52]

...so time to move now for a back-inflate!
But since i'm lazy do all the thinking alone i would ask you views for this:

first i was thinking of getting something like the knight hawk BC; but i'm not sure whether in future I'll need the double taks capability? I know that there is some solution to allow 2 tacks usage with the knight hawk but not sure whether lift capacity will be sufficient...

so i went looking for BP/W setups, honestly, i have no idea what parts sould be ordered and how it is all set-up, but these maybe a later stage, to begin i want to make sure that it is what i really "need" rather than "want" or "looks nicer".

i would appreciate your inputs as well as some education for the parts of the BP/W and how they're put together.

oh, BTW, is the crotch strap a real necessity??

maged_mmh,

There is a bewildering array of choices in BP&W's available today.

The concept is pretty simple however. BP&W's are just a type of modular BC.

Three basic components: Back plate, Wing and Harness.

Plate: Selecting a plate is pretty straight forward. Pick the appropriate size based on your height, and pick the plate material based on your ballast requirments.

Harness: Stick with the simple "one piece" harness. More complex harnesses are usually attempts to solve problems that don't exist.

Wings: Things are bit more involved here. The wing you need is a function of primarily the buoyancy of your exposure suit. The "bad news" is you will need two wings, one for diving single tanks, and one for use with doubles. The "good news" is in most cases all you will need to change when moving from singles to doubles is the wing.

To be able to make a specific recommendation for you I need to know:

Your Height

The most buoyant exposure suit you use.

What you use for cylinders.

Tobin

 

[maged_mmh]

thanks Tobin, here are some data:
height = 172cm.
suit max 6.5mm semi-dry (mostly used 3mm)
cylinder for now single mostly 12L Alu. or sometimes 15L steel

one question: do you carry your own in-house manufactured products only or other as well like diverite or OMS?
thanks.

 

[Nismo]

If you want a BC that can handle doubles look into the Zeagle Ranger or Zeagle Brigade(Scubatoys only). BP/W is very simple. If you are diving warm, back plate of what ever material you want, harness straps Zeagle has padded ones if you feel so inclined. As for the wing just get something around 35 ibs to start or if you dive a dry suit and or cold go with something in the 40's.

 

[cool_hardware52]

thanks Tobin, here are some data:
height = 172cm.
suit max 6.5mm semi-dry (mostly used 3mm)
cylinder for now single mostly 12L Alu. or sometimes 15L steel

one question: do you carry your own in-house manufactured products only or other as well like diverite or OMS?
thanks.

At ~5' 7" tall you need a "medium" plate.

With your 6.5mm suit + either tank you will benefit from a Stainless steel plate

With your 3mm suit and a al 80 (al 12L) you would again benefit from a SS plate

A 3mm suit + SS plate + negative steel tank is not a good idea, as you will be over weighted.

I prefer to have a little better info on suit buoyancy, but given the details I have I'll take a stab at wing sizing.

Your 6.5 mm suit is likely about 18-20 lbs positive. That means it can't loose more than that even when fully compressed.

I don't have the specs on your "15L steel" but I'll assume it is about -2 lbs when empty, and about -10lbs when full.

With medium SS plate, reg and full 15L tank your rig will be about -18 lbs.

I'd recommend a Torus 26 wing. This wing provides 26 lbs of lift. That's enough to float your rig if you need to ditch it, and it is enough to compensate for a fully compressed suit.

In your 3mm & al 80 you could use a smaller wing, our Torus 17 would be more than enough, but the 17 is too small with your more buoyant suit.

I would recommend waiting to buy your "doubles" wing until you know what you will be using for tanks and exposure suit when you move to doubles.

A hogarthian harness does need a crotch strap, but it's really no big deal.

At DSS we design, and manufacture our own designs. We do not resell other brands.

Tobin