Help deciding Dive Rite SS vs AL??

[sea-glider]

Need some help deciding my first BC!! I am new to diving..

so far i have decided on

Dive Rite Transplate Harness
Dive Rite Vector Wing
Mares Rebel 12
Mares Octo.

now about the plate, which is better for me? SS or AL?

I am currently in Guam and will stay here for 3 years, so mostly diving in tropical waters. however, after 3 years i may get to use it in Japan as well.
also I plan to do single tank diving for the next year or so but like the option in future to do doubles especially since a lot of recs are found off guam. (do i need a STA for single tank?)
I am 74kg and 175cm height (5"7'?) sorry still dont know US measurements...
I will be wearing a 2.5-3 shorty wetsuit..
I am leaning on SS so i dont have to add on too much weight, but with my size will SS bee too heavy??
thanks for taking the time to help.

 

[616fun]

You need to know more information to make a good choice. The average SS plate will add about 6 lb (2.7 kg) to your kit. Do you need that additional weight in order to be apropriately weighted? Also, what is the bouyancy characteristics of the tanks you'll be diving? Most AL tanks will be positive at the end of a dive, thus requiring more weight to be in your kit or on a belt. Steel tanks come in many shapes and sizes, all with different characteristics. Most will still be negative when empty.

For instance Faber low pressure 95 steel tanks will be about -8 lb (3.6 kg) full, - 1.2 (.544 kg)lb (.9 kg) at 500 psi.

A Luxfer AL80 will be -1.4 lb (.635 kg) full and +4.4 lb (2 kg) empty.

As you can see, there is a difference in the bouyancy of the two different tanks I used as an example of about 5 lb (2.27 kg).

Sorry to maybe make this more confusing - but I think you need to determine generally the type of tank you'll be diving to make an informed decision on the BP type. AL tanks will make a stronger argument for SS. Of course, one of the instructors I work with always says it's easier to add weight to an AL plate than it is to take it off of a SS plate.

 

[halocline]

Never heard of the vector wing, do you mean venture wing?

As far as the SS vs AL plate, the first thing you need to consider is how much weight you use with your current wetsuit and tank in a standard BC. If that's 4kg (10 lbs, right? ) or more, go with the steel plate. If it's a little less than 10 lbs you could probably be fine either way, you might be slightly negative with a steel plate and no lead (but probably not) and if your current weighting is less than 6 lbs (2.5 kg?) then you'll almost certainly be better off in a AL plate.

The dive rite plate/wing combo will hold the tank more securely with a STA. There are alternatives; I cut a strip of rubber boat decking about 2" wide and the length off the plate, and zip tied it on top of the wing right on the center ridge. The tank tightens down on it, rather than on the grommets, and it's very stable.

 

[sea-glider]

thanks for the reply..

I use (used during OWL) 5kg weights using 12L steel tank.
does that help?
my hope is with SS plate i wont need much weight or none at all..

btw you are right, I meant venture..

 

[halocline]

Yes, if you use 5kg with a steel tank and your normal exposure suit, you want the steel plate. If you rent an AL tank you would need (I guess) 7 or 8kg. From what you've said, the only situation you might be overweighted with the steel plate is if you were to dive with a much thinner wetsuit and a steel tank.

 

[RAWalker]

Weight can be added to the rig in many different ways using the aluminum plate. You can't remove the weight from a SS plate!
Then there is the cost difference of the 2 plates but you may have to consider the cost of the additional weights and what you use to hold it. You can still save a small amount of cash using the aluminum plate.

 

[sea-glider]

I ordered the SS plate today at my LDS. he also will order AL just in case. he said he will try to set me up with a rental to check it out b4 I purchase. really happy with the LDS. only catch is I have to wait up to 3 weeks for the order to arrive here in Guam.

btw, me and my wife ended up getting Abyss 42 first stage and Proton octo each!!
he gave us a good discount!

thanks for all the useful info everyone...

 

[DA Aquamaster]

A single tank will feel much more stable with a single tank adapter. And a stainless steel STA will add 2 to 4 lbs to the total weight fo the plate. So...if you are using an STA with a stainless steel plate, you are looking at 8 to 10 pounds of total weight and in some casess a 4 lbs lighter aluminum plate may be advantageous. As stated above, you can always add weight, but you can't take it off.

Travel is also an argument for the Al plate as it will give you another 4 lbs of room to use when trying to stay under airline weight limits.