Help me choose a BP & W!

[bshonesy]

I know there are hundreds of these threads, but I’m never going to be able to make a decision without some help.

I’m looking to switch from my Aqualung Axiom to a BP&W. I’ve lost a bunch of weight and so it’s a little big, plus mainly I’m tired of how bulky and heavy it is for the purpose of travel. Here’s my deal:

• Pretty experienced rec diver of 22 years, I lost count, but I’m somewhere in the hundreds
• Always diving in water > 65F, usually in Caribbean or Gulf (90% of time in a 3/2 mil full, rarely a 5mm).
• I’m 6’1”, 180 lbs
• dive with 4 lb in Fresh, 8 lb in saltwater with my current hybrid BC.
• Single tank only, but sometimes solo with a pony.
• I do more shore diving right now than anything, but do boat dive occasionally. I usually kit up right by the water, but I also dive at a quarry with a good hike up and down a hill. For shore dives, I might like to kit up off the beach sometimes if I had a BC that wasn’t too bad for walking. Should I be thinking about a Transplate/Transpac?
• As I said above, I’m packing this in checked luggage and have 3 kits in total (for wife and daughter), so don’t have the luxury of a steel plate.
• Would ideally like to keep this to around $600. Always up for an upgrade in the future.
• Before you suggest I go try it on, I know all my local shops well, and they do not sell BP&W BCs.

I have no problem assembling and buying parts from different manufacturers. I understand the anatomy of these BP&W, but I tend to perseverate on things like this that have an infinite number of options (and brands).

Thanks for sharing your experience and advice!!

 

[Hugh2004a]

I switched to BP&W about a year ago. My diving is similar to you - warm water, gear needs to fit in luggage, etc. I’m strictly recreational. I’ve been very happy with my setup of a Mares XR 20lbs Travel Wing, generic aluminum backplate and buckles, webbing, d rings, weight pockets etc from Dive Rite. I picked the wing on the recommendation of a DM I was diving with and a sale going on at the time I was buying. It is much easier and smaller to pack than my Zeagle Ranger BCD.

I had a hard time deciding and was worried about making the “right” choices. In the end, it worked out fine and I can’t imagine I would be any more or less happy with any other combination of components. It all generally works the same and I don’t think one piece of metal strapped to my back would feel much different than another. My only issue was in not buying a crotch strap right off. It took me one dive to see the light on that!

 

[happy-diver]

Grab a couple of thick neoprene shoulder pads for your one piece webbing

For Sale - Wings / Plates / Jackets / Back-Inflate Mega Sale!

Bouyancy Control Device Megasale! If it keeps you neutral in the water or holds your tank, I've got it for sale here! I need more space, so the gear has to go. Posts are now limited to 5 photos so I've got groups of items. DM if you want to see more photos or have other questions. Jacket...

scubaboard.com

 

[Umuntu]

Grab a couple of thick neoprene shoulder pads for your one piece webbing

Or just trim a neoprene crotch strap cover to size and use that on the shoulder straps too.

It’s crazy how “shoulder pads” are so much more expensive for essentially the same product.

 

[rongoodman]

No need to for either.

Grab a couple of thick neoprene shoulder pads for your one piece webbing

No need. I'm fairly thin and have dived my OPH in a rashguard or T-shirt without issue.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

DGX aluminum Back Plate with 30 lb Gears donut wing.
Full set up with Hog one piece harness.

DGX Custom - DGX Gears Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing Package

A basic DGX backplate/wing/harness package for single tank diving at a value price.

www.divegearexpress.com

I have the wing and it’s very nice.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I know there are hundreds of these threads, but I’m never going to be able to make a decision without some help.

I’m looking to switch from my Aqualung Axiom to a BP&W. I’ve lost a bunch of weight and so it’s a little big, plus mainly I’m tired of how bulky and heavy it is for the purpose of travel. Here’s my deal:

• As I said above, I’m packing this in checked luggage and have 3 kits in total (for wife and daughter), so don’t have the luxury of a steel plate.
• Would ideally like to keep this to around $600. Always up for an upgrade in the future.
• Before you suggest I go try it on, I know all my local shops well, and they do not sell BP&W BCs

Thanks for sharing your experience and advice!!

I would look at the Dive Rite Hydro Lite BC, it checks all of your boxes.
Hydro Lite BCD – Dive Rite | Equipment for Serious Divers

There is a Dive Rite dealer that looks to be close to you.
Scuba Ventures Inc. – Taking you deeper into the world.

It's available from Dive Gear Express if the dive shop doesn't have anything.

Dive Rite Hydro Lite BC - Blue

Designed specifically for streamlined, warm water diving and ideal for travel, the Hydro Lite Buoyancy System is low weight BCD for single tank divers.

www.divegearexpress.com

 

[happy-diver]

I usually kit up right by the water, but I also dive at a quarry with a good hike up and down a hill. For shore dives, I might like to kit up off the beach sometimes if I had a BC that wasn’t too bad for walking.

Grab a couple of thick neoprene shoulder pads for your one piece webbing

View attachment 873443

For Sale - Wings / Plates / Jackets / Back-Inflate Mega Sale!

Bouyancy Control Device Megasale! If it keeps you neutral in the water or holds your tank, I've got it for sale here! I need more space, so the gear has to go. Posts are now limited to 5 photos so I've got groups of items. DM if you want to see more photos or have other questions. Jacket...

scubaboard.com

No need to for either.

No need. I'm fairly thin and have dived my OPH in a rashguard or T-shirt without issue.

Thin indeed

Do me a favour mate, and read posts carefully, and quote someone else when posting
also you can do me a favour, and remind anyone that thanks your post to do the same

Did you know if you stopped posting now your post count would forever remain 6,666

 

[happy-diver]

Or just trim a neoprene crotch strap cover to size and use that on the shoulder straps too.

It’s crazy how “shoulder pads” are so much more expensive for essentially the same product.

You missed this bit chief

thick neoprene

although I reckon newspaper wrapped in vinyl tape would do a more than adequate job too

 

[bshonesy]

Thanks all for the advice. This helped get me narrowed down a good bit!