Since I already own a Balance BC, I have the cool, cold water dives covered. I really like my Balance, but am looking for a much lighter alternative for tropical dives (Fiji is next!). I also do not want to spend a ton of money (it would be cheaper to lug the Balance at some point...). I don't tech, dive doubles or anything as such. I will give Tobin a call, I hear he can't steer me wrong :cool2: . I appreciate the advice and thoughts.
Help getting bp/w
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fnfalman
Contributor
My travel BC is the Transpac. I'll rent some weights at the destination and use my weight pouches. The SS plate is too heavy for some freshwater diving and is hefty to carry as a luggage.
Why do I use the Transpac instead of the lightweight travel BC du jour? It's because it gives me the flexibility and agility of a hard plate rig.
Dive Rite also currently market a rig based on the Transpac called the Travelpac. It's a simplified Transpac so that you get the agility and mobility of the Transpac, but costs less and weighs less. HOWEVER, not everything is free in this world. The penalty is that the wing is fixed (27-lbs lift) and not interchangeable like the Transpac. Weight is 5lbs 13ounces. Not as light as the Zuma or some other travel BC, but it's not a jacket style BC either.
So when looking at different manufactures, which one? Hollis, Dive Rite, OMS, etc. Looking at pictures, the all look the same, or very close. Maybe a few different holes here and there.
I spoke with Tobin this morning and he was very helpful with information and his designed equipment.
Is it uncommon for divers to mix-match pieces from different companies? For example, a Hollis harness, dive rite plate, etc? Or is it necessary to choose one and stick with it? What I thought would be a simple decision and process is turning out to be very complicated. Thanks for your help everyone!
I spoke with Tobin this morning and he was very helpful with information and his designed equipment.
Is it uncommon for divers to mix-match pieces from different companies? For example, a Hollis harness, dive rite plate, etc? Or is it necessary to choose one and stick with it? What I thought would be a simple decision and process is turning out to be very complicated. Thanks for your help everyone!
fnfalman
Contributor
No, it's not uncommon to mix & match...provided that the mixin' and matchin' ended up matching, if ya know what I mean. Some gears are interchangeable with others and some don't. Some manufacturers' wings would line up with the holes and slots of other manufacturers' backplates, but not always.
I personally don't believe in mixing and matching because the major manufacturers do put out good products, so I can't see a real and practical need to mix & match. YMMV.
cool_hardware52
Contributor
It is possible to mix and match.....sometimes.
For doubles pretty much any doubles wing will work with any back plate, all you need one pair of holes in the wing and plate at 11 inch centers.
For single tank use things can get more complicated.
If you use a STA (single tank adapter) again all you need is one pair of holes in the wing and plate at 11" centers.
If you wish to avoid using a STA (that's my preference) then there are potential compatibility problems with *some* wings and plates.
DSS wings and plates work best together, and offer useful features that may be defeated if used with other makes of plates or wings.
Regarding harnesses, my recommendation is to stick with the simple Hogarthian Harness, and there is not much reason to buy company A's plate and company B's hog harness.
Often buying a package, wing, plate and harness from a single source will reduce cost.
Tobin
You also have to get the idea that a BPW is a tech setup out of your head. It is not. That sounds like a number of rec instructors who have never dove one or frankly could dive one talking. It is a simple, highly adjustable, modular, and well thought out system that gets rid of useless padding, pockets that were desgined by a monkey on acid, and all those things that get snagged on other things. It also looks a helluva lot cooler than any junked up jacket with gimmicks, reef dragging inflators, and stupid elevator levers. It is also more compact for traveling. As to how compact depends on how good of a packer you are. If you're efficient you can fit a SS plate, 30lb wing, hog harness, mask, regulator, fins, two backup lights, a 3 mil suit, boots, and SMB with finger spool in a backpack, that if you strap the fins to the outside and shove them overhead or under the seat separately, will fit in the overhead of most any plane. At least mine does. When I had my jacket bc it was such a CF that I just shipped it where I was going UPS and shipped it back. They pay off quick if they lose crap.
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