Help a newbie w/a BP/W

[j.chris]

Hi, I’m new here and to diving. I am open water certified and looking forward to completing advanced open water soon. Diving is awesome it’s all I have been able to think about for months. Having only 25 dives I am hoping for some advice from the more advanced and knowable.

I’m hoping to get some suggestions and comparisons on a bp/w set up for a single tank. Right now I am using an avid BC that I got from my instructor/ good friend as a persistent. I like this BC but it is a bit small for me. Most of the people I dive with are using Dive right plates or packs, the others use some form of back infatuation BC. I really like how clean the bp/w design is and how they cut down on clutter. I would like to support my local shop that has been good to me. I know they carry dive right and I have been able to look and feel these. They look and feel nice. they can get a few other companies stuff, such as Hollis and Oxycheq, but They would have to order them. This would be fine with me if one of these companies would be better.

Dive Right, thinking the steel BP w/ either a Travel 360 Wing, or Venture 360 Wing, using a continuous piece of webbing for the harness.

Oxycheq and Hollis, Just form looking on here and other places the Oxycheq: Mach V - Signature Series and the Mach V Extreme Explorer Series and the Hollis: S Series - S25 and the S38 look really nice also. Not sure about getting all matching BP and harness thought.
I have been diving with a HP steel 80 the avid BC and an Excel SCS polar Tri-density 9/7/6. I have been diving in the waters here in northern and southern CA

Thanks for any comments and help,
Chris

 

[sixgears]

Check out DSS.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/deep-sea-supply/

I'm sure the ones who use it will chime in and will give you favorable reviews.

Good luck.

 

[DeNomad]

Welcome to the dark side! I am sure whichever BP/W you choose you will be happy with. I highly reccomend talking to Tobin from DSS.

I bought my BP/W from Tobin and I am very satisfied.

You might consider the following when choosing a BP/W:
Aluminum or steel plate?
How much lift do I need in a wing? (to much or to little is bad)
Single Tank Adaptor or DSS type wing with integral adaptor?
Hog harness or comfort harness? (reccomend hog harness)

Good luck with your shopping.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

What's your budget? The DSS complete rigs are a pretty good deal.

 

[j.chris]

Thanks for the input guys!

I looked at DSS and will look again. There Stuff looks really nice. I was just hoping to support my local shop, I'll see if they can get DSS as another option. I will call DSS that sounds like a good idea.

As for budget? I was thinking anywhere from $450 to $700 but it would be nicer to stay around 500 to 600.

 

[Peter_C]

Who is your local shop?

There are many options to choose from. DSS has excellent product, as does Oxycheq, along with a few others. Are you thinking of going to doubles? Do you want cam bands or an STA?

You should easily be able to stay around $500.00.

I personally use a Freedom Plate for singles and a Diverite stainless plate for doubles, but the brand is only because I got it for a fair price used. Both my wings are from Oxycheq, and I would have gotten the Mach V for my singles rig but they had not been invented yet.

Hmmm...since you are switching to a BP/W do you have a plan for how you are going to rig your regulators? For instance a long hose (5-7') on the reg in your mouth and the backup reg bungeed under your chin? There are a few gear changes that will come about, but getting what you need the first time will save you money by not replacing it soon.

 

[j.chris]

It's a local shop here in Sacramento.

There are so many options that look nice. It makes it hard to choose. Since I am still so new in diving I think I may go to doubles, but I am sure that is a long way off. I was thinking of going w/ cam straps, all though I understand how a STA works. I'm not sure if I would really need one?

The mach V looks really nice and stream lined.

As far as regs I have the new style mares abyss 22 and (I know it's not a good idea now!) a tusa duo-air. I got it for $50 used and serviced. I am planning on getting the backup version of the abyss unless i run into something that will work better for the purpose. As far as house length I am using the one that came w/ the abyss. This last weekend I saw people w/ the backup reg bungeed around there neck and that seems nicer. I will have to figure that out when i get the new gear to see how it will work best.

 

[Peter_C]

You sound just like me when I first started diving. Trust me on making the right gear decisions now, as it will be much cheaper. I started in a Knighthawk with an Air II. I still use my original Scuba Pro reg set but have added to it twice more (3 sets of regs all DIN).

Good regulators are important. What you have now for a primary regulator sounds good, but I do not know much about them. I prefer both my second stages to be the same (So there is no confusion), and adjustable so they can be detuned when not in use (Free flows suck), yet when in use they can be opened up and breathe easily. The one in my mouth is on a 7 foot hose to allow easy air shares, and it also keeps the hose close to my body so the kelp does not grab it or twist the regulator in my mouth (The hose wraps under your right arm, then around your neck, starting on the left side, and into your mouth from the right). The bungeed back up makes sure I always know where my other regulator is. You can use a standard regulator hose for a backup until ready to purchase the proper size hose. I started with a 5 foot hose, but upgraded to a 7 footer when I got a can light, within a couple of months of switching. Later wished I would have gone right for a 7 footer. Oh well one of my buddies is now sporting the 5 footer. Yup he too started in a jacket and is now in a BP/W LOL

"Hogarthian" is probably the closest way to describe using a BP/W gear configuration. This article highlights the DIR (Doing It Right) way of gear configuration, but read it and much of it will make sense. No one says you have to follow it to the tee ( I sure do not), but most of the methods and gear are good for our local diving conditions which can be very extreme at times (Even when you think it is calm, we have many hidden dangers).
Equipment Configuration | Global Underwater Explorers

Tobin from DSS has always been easy to purchase from and he is known for having top notch support. He has some unique products too. You will not go wrong buying directly from him. Pick up a DSS mount for a Suunto SK7 compass while you are at it.

 

[PatrickDives]

Tobin at DSS, I second that...give him a call. I called him about a week ago and he was very patient explaining everything and walking me through the reasons why he makes the recommendations that he does.

It was really eye-opening, and sad to say quite obvious, listening to him explain how to pick an appropriate BC system. He didn't try to sell me anything, but rather started off asking me questions about my diving, my size, shape, etc...

Instead of trying to sell me what he wanted to sell, he tried to figure out what my needs were and to explain how I should proceed based on that. Great guy!

Good luck on it.

Have a good one.

Patrick.

 

[616fun]

+1 on DSS rigs. Truely innovative gear at very reasonable pricing. Tobin will also take the time to ensure you are in the rig you need.

Here is a thread about my more than great experience with DSS:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/deep-sea-supply/229471-thanks-tobin-dss.html