Interested in switching to BP/W

[brucet]

OK, I went to Fill Express. Rather helpful. After talking with the gentleman there, and trying on a traspac (which is what he reccomended), it seemed rather comfortable and suitable to what I need. If I decide to doubles, will get a second set up for that at a later time. Any thoughts on the Transpac? Is $600 a decent price for the transpac with wing and weight pocket? I know somebody is gonna say go to LeisurePro, but I would prefer to buy somewhere I can try it on, and get help if needed. Also, LeisurePro is specifically an unauthorized dealer of DIve Rite products, posted on the Dive Rite website. I want my warranty and support.

 

[larry mckinnon]

I notice the comment about "lose the split fins" so i have to ask.
Can someone tell me why the split fins will not work with a BP system.

Just a comment from me, I have been looking for BC's, bought one, sold it a few months later because I didn't like it, yet it is rated super high by everyone. I thought it was just to complicated, I am heading toward simplicity. Hence the reason I am looking at a Halcyon BP system. After 30 years of diving, I think everything in diving has to many options. Even my SS1 safe air, it has three buttons. The other day, i hit the wrong button, so instead of releasing air, I added air to my BCD. My initial thought was, what was once simple is becomming complicated.
Fins with all the fancy gadgets to release the clip so you can remove or put on your fin, as long as you don't have a little sand in the clip, works fine. Years ago, we had a basic black turtle style fin, fins were never an issue. Now everyone is talking about fins that do this, or do that, and my observation is a simple set of fins will work better and last longer. Just what I think.

 

[TSandM]

Larry, split fins work fine with backplates. I believe the comment to "lose the split fins" was made in jest. A lot of technical divers use backplates, and do not like split fins for a variety of reasons. But that doesn't mean a recreational diver using splits can't benefit from the good qualities of a backplate system.

 

[larry mckinnon]

Buy from your local dive shop, but make sure before you plunk down the money that you can return it if you do not like it. I bought something and found out because i took it to the ocean, i could not return it. It was my fault, i didn't ask before the purchase. If you can't return something, you may as well buy the cheapest price, even buy used.

 

[larry mckinnon]

Lynn,
thanks for the info on the split fins. I decided my fins are fine, it's my legs that need work. So I went for a bike ride today, will ride everyday for a week and see if my fins improve.
Larry

 

[brucet]

I personally have split fins, and find that while they are nice fins for a calm day, they aren't so good in current. Was looking at a pair of Hollis jet fins, as they are lighter than the ScubaPros. Anyone use the Hollis fins? Any thoughts on them? And the Dive Rite Transpac?

 

[ONESPEED]

I personally have split fins, and find that while they are nice fins for a calm day, they aren't so good in current. Was looking at a pair of Hollis jet fins, as they are lighter than the ScubaPros. Anyone use the Hollis fins? Any thoughts on them? And the Dive Rite Transpac?

I dived a Transpac for about a year before deciding I would be better off with a true BP/W. The Transpac is not a bad set up, certainly far superior to a jacket BCD IMHO. That said, and this is my personal preference, I opted for a Hogarthian rig due to it's simplicity and lack of failure points. The Transpac is a pretty busy rig, almost as much overkill hardware on it as many jacket BCD's.

If you look at this

Vs. this, I think you'll see my point, less is more and simple is good.

If you decide on the hogarthian rig and want to stick w/ Fill Express you can save some cash too, this sale is currently running at FE: Ultimate Hogarthian System - Dive Gear Express

 

[brucet]

When it is warm, I do a fare amount of bare diving. What is the comfort level of just the back plate with no wetsuit? The gentlemen at Fill Ex said it was rather uncomfortable and heavily steered me in the Transpac direction.

 

[keithdiver]

When it is warm, I do a fare amount of bare diving. What is the comfort level of just the back plate with no wetsuit? The gentlemen at Fill Ex said it was rather uncomfortable and heavily steered me in the Transpac direction.

Of course he did Yoyu are in H country go to a H store and try one on with no wetsuit in the pool and see if it is not comfortable, i am sure you will be Happy with the Halcyon fit.

 

[ONESPEED]

When it is warm, I do a fare amount of bare diving. What is the comfort level of just the back plate with no wetsuit? The gentlemen at Fill Ex said it was rather uncomfortable and heavily steered me in the Transpac direction.

Not an issue, both Halcyon and Dive Rite make pads for this although I've never felt any discomfort from a properly fitted backplate.