Hard to get a wing configuration, tips&tricks needed

[AnaCat]

Hi,
I need advice in switching to a back plate+wing.

Currently I have a back inflate Mares Aliikai BCD, but I keep having issues with the integrated weights (weak mechanism, they fall off at the slightest touch although not overweighted) and the trim pockets placed on the tank belt have ruptured in the first trip, with just 0,5 kg in them and no other strain placed on them.
While I wait for a response from Mares as it’s still in the warranty period I started considering switching to a backplate and wing config.

My main issue is that in Romania there are just 2-3 dive shops in Bucharest and they keep minimal stock for most common items.
I have no chance to try different configurations with them.

I know it‘s essential to have the proper fit for the backplate and this is my main concern.
Although I dive only when traveling I would like a heavier version (3-4 kg) because it would help me with my weight distribution. I usually travel to dive in the very salty Red Sea with a 5 or 7 mm wetsuit, 5 mm boots and being a very curvy female means that I need 12 kg to go down and have a comfortable safety stop with empty tank. I did numerous weight checks with instructors and DMs that were telling me it’s too much and we always ended with this amount.

Can you tell me what I would need to have a full configuration? What would be the pros/cons for making this switc?
Any idea on how I could at least get close to config that would suit me? Any resources for reading/ watching that you would recommend?
Thank you all and happy bubbles!

 

[dmaziuk]

Romania to Poland is over a day's drive, not somewhere you can "just go" shopping even by the American standards.

 

[Pressurehead]

https://www.xdeep.eu/lista-dystrybutorow-dl.html

 

[Sebs]

What's wrong with it?

And do you mean the soft kind of webbing or the 'comfort harness'?

The webbing itself. I have no experience with a comfort harness but soft webbing is just too soft. It folds easily on itself and the little rubber bands scrunch it up so it makes it difficult to attach your backup light.

 

[AnaCat]

Thanks for all your postings so far, extremely educational!
Ok, looking now at the versions from XDeep, and I still find it hard to choose, probably due to inexperience or because I’m too hesitant when spending money online.

So here I go again: 1.67, 100-105 kg, need 12-14 kg for weights, I travel for all my diving toward water locations - but no lowcost (as there aren’t any ), luggage of 20 kg checked in and 10 carry on, buying in European Union.

If you still have the patience to help me decide:
* I don’t intend to switch to doubles in the future, purely recreational diving
* They all offer alu plate and the weight difference is not significant for me, I actually would prefer the weight on my back than in the pockets
* All have a deluxe version with neutral buoyancy padding for back and shoulder straps
* All have the possibility to add trim pockets and weight pockets for (semi)quick release
- Zeos has a double coated wing only has standard dimension plate and classical crotch strap: 472 euros
- Zeo has also double coated wing, comes with a short plate and a v type crotch straps for 580 euros
- Ghost has a single coat wing, comes with short plate and v type crotch for 531 euros

As I like easy wrecks I would hesitate about the Ghost for fear of punctures.

Otherwise I really don’t understand the 100 euros difference between Zeo and Zeos.
Here is the manufacturer comparison, maybe it will speak to you:
Product compare

Much obliged, there’s a beer waiting for you if you ever come to Bucharest

 

[dmaziuk]

Padding doesn't really matter unless you have to walk some distance to the water w/ the kit on your back. Once in the water, all it does is add fluff/drag.

Alu has lower density than steel and requires more lead, i.e. 2kg (luggage weight) steel plate weighs about 2kg underwater. A 1kg dry weight Alu plate weighs less than 1kg underwater and you'll need ~2kg of lead to get the same ballast as that steel plate. If you travel with checked bag anyway, go for a full size (not "dogbone") steel plate -- as you say: better weight distribution that way.

 

[Baydoun]

Thanks for all your postings so far, extremely educational!
Ok, looking now at the versions from XDeep, and I still find it hard to choose, probably due to inexperience or because I’m too hesitant when spending money online.

So here I go again: 1.67, 100-105 kg, need 12-14 kg for weights, I travel for all my diving toward water locations - but no lowcost (as there aren’t any ), luggage of 20 kg checked in and 10 carry on, buying in European Union.

If you still have the patience to help me decide:
* I don’t intend to switch to doubles in the future, purely recreational diving
* They all offer alu plate and the weight difference is not significant for me, I actually would prefer the weight on my back than in the pockets
* All have a deluxe version with neutral buoyancy padding for back and shoulder straps
* All have the possibility to add trim pockets and weight pockets for (semi)quick release
- Zeos has a double coated wing only has standard dimension plate and classical crotch strap: 472 euros
- Zeo has also double coated wing, comes with a short plate and a v type crotch straps for 580 euros
- Ghost has a single coat wing, comes with short plate and v type crotch for 531 euros

As I like easy wrecks I would hesitate about the Ghost for fear of punctures.

Otherwise I really don’t understand the 100 euros difference between Zeo and Zeos.
Here is the manufacturer comparison, maybe it will speak to you:
Product compare

Much obliged, there’s a beer waiting for you if you ever come to Bucharest

of the 3 xDeep options, I'd go with a Zeos 28, with a steel plate. its not much more to travel with but you'll benefit from the extra weight on your back. going with deluxe, thats up to you if you prefer back and shoulder padding. Tecline also has configurations around the same price, but I only have experience with the xDeep so i can't comment on the tecline.

 

[BoltSnap]

Zeos

 

[Pressurehead]

After having a good look I must agree, the Zeos. XDEEP Color BCD online catalog
I like the blue.

 

[Sebs]

I don't think you're so short to require a short plate...

 

[David Novo]

I bought online a Tecline set from the Polish shop below:

TecLine Donut 13 for a single cylinder - complete set / travel set

TecLine Donut 13 for a single cylinder - complete set / travel set

diving-store.net

I chose the DIR Harness and got a weighted STA. It also came with 2 trim pockets for the cam bands (which I use when diving single tank) and two side weighted pockets (which I never used).

Two years later bought a doubles wing from the same store. No complaints.