How many dive BP's and Wings' vs. Basic Scuba Gear?
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otter-cat
Guest
I am now in the final stages of assembling my bp/wing set-up. It would have been sooner, but the LDS accidentally ordered an aluminum bp when I wanted a steel one. There are several staff members at my LDS who have bp/wings, and they have been very generous in allowing me to use theirs when they were not using it themselves. I definitely like to use bp & wings, which is why I went about getting one for myself.
When I am not so lucky as to be able to borrow a bp from someone else, I use the jacket style bcd's that the shop rents. I don't mind using it, and will probably continue to wear it when in the pool with students. The jacket style bc's are easy to deal with, and meet my needs for most of my diving (which, these days, is mostly with students anyway.) I have also used a back-inflate style bcd without a backplate, but I didn't like it that much. However, if I was going to buy a non-backplate bcd, I probably would get the back-inflate type rather than the jacket style.
Once my steel bp arrives, I will probably always wear it in open water, with or without students.
When I am not so lucky as to be able to borrow a bp from someone else, I use the jacket style bcd's that the shop rents. I don't mind using it, and will probably continue to wear it when in the pool with students. The jacket style bc's are easy to deal with, and meet my needs for most of my diving (which, these days, is mostly with students anyway.) I have also used a back-inflate style bcd without a backplate, but I didn't like it that much. However, if I was going to buy a non-backplate bcd, I probably would get the back-inflate type rather than the jacket style.
Once my steel bp arrives, I will probably always wear it in open water, with or without students.
I originally purchased a Dive-Rite Transpac II, because I liked/prefered soft packs.
It was ok on single tanks, but doubles did not feel secure and flopped around too much.
I didn't need the extra weight of a SS backplate, so I went for aluminum backplates. (aluminium if you're Brit or Auzzie).
I have 2 backplates now, a 55 lb rec wing for singles and an 80 lb wing on my twin OMS 98's. I tried the smaller wing on my doubles, and it was fine underwater at any depth but I found myself a little heavy and low on the surface.
Mike D
:blfish:
It was ok on single tanks, but doubles did not feel secure and flopped around too much.
I didn't need the extra weight of a SS backplate, so I went for aluminum backplates. (aluminium if you're Brit or Auzzie).
I have 2 backplates now, a 55 lb rec wing for singles and an 80 lb wing on my twin OMS 98's. I tried the smaller wing on my doubles, and it was fine underwater at any depth but I found myself a little heavy and low on the surface.
Mike D
:blfish:
Bob3
Contributor
A poll lacking "none of the above" or "other".
When I wanna come up, I just pull myself up on the hose.
:mean:
When I wanna come up, I just pull myself up on the hose.
:mean:
Here you go wch:
Have not actually used by regular BCD for over a year but when I return to reality and student that talk my language I use it for pool and o/w work - easier for them to see what is sold in the shop in action.
For the last year I have been exclusively using my soft pack wing set up for everything - up to and including twin 15l steel and 8l steel stage.
BP & wings - now I have rectified the situation of leaving my BP & wings at home and have picked them up I will be using them for local tech diving when I know I will be using twins, otherwise it will be the softpack.
Why you may ask on the latter? Well my transport to the dive site is primarily the train and the softpack is lighter. Also probably still use the softpack for travelling, for the same reasons
Jonathan
Have not actually used by regular BCD for over a year but when I return to reality and student that talk my language I use it for pool and o/w work - easier for them to see what is sold in the shop in action.
For the last year I have been exclusively using my soft pack wing set up for everything - up to and including twin 15l steel and 8l steel stage.
BP & wings - now I have rectified the situation of leaving my BP & wings at home and have picked them up I will be using them for local tech diving when I know I will be using twins, otherwise it will be the softpack.
Why you may ask on the latter? Well my transport to the dive site is primarily the train and the softpack is lighter. Also probably still use the softpack for travelling, for the same reasons
Jonathan
D.I.R.Lizard
Registered
I dive only with BP/Wing set-up!
I started out with a "TrashPak II" I mean Trans pak II, Then upgraded (yea right) to an IQ pak. Same Crap different name!
I even had the duel 100# bladder, (I hope none of my dive buddies are reading this) being told "Yea this is what you need for doubles".
I also tried various other vest and back inflated BCDs.
One day I happened on to a guy who opened my eyes to the BP/Wings set-up and I never looked back, I never forsee myself going back. Tried it out one time and went home and put all the other crap on E-bay. Thanks to someone, I did not lose a whole lot of money, that time.
Thanks Sucker!
I started out with a "TrashPak II" I mean Trans pak II, Then upgraded (yea right) to an IQ pak. Same Crap different name!
I even had the duel 100# bladder, (I hope none of my dive buddies are reading this) being told "Yea this is what you need for doubles".
I also tried various other vest and back inflated BCDs.
One day I happened on to a guy who opened my eyes to the BP/Wings set-up and I never looked back, I never forsee myself going back. Tried it out one time and went home and put all the other crap on E-bay. Thanks to someone, I did not lose a whole lot of money, that time.
Thanks Sucker!
BP and wing when in doubles, Back inflate BC when teaching OW or when in Bonaire..etc. on warm water FUN PPF (pretty pink fish) dives.
Split is probably 80% BP/wings and 20% Balance BC. You can't beat the feel of a nice soft back inflation BC like the Balance for single tank diving.
Split is probably 80% BP/wings and 20% Balance BC. You can't beat the feel of a nice soft back inflation BC like the Balance for single tank diving.
BP/wing only. I use it for a single tank or with doubles. I will never go back to a BC. Except, we will be doing some sidemount this winter. I'm not sure what we'll end up with but there won't be a plate. There's always something new to try.
Scubaroo
Contributor
I use a BP/wings exclusively now. Next weekend I'll be doing my first doubles dive - in the same rig I use for rec single tank diving - except I'll be changing the wing out and adding a first stage. Very cost-effective.
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