Interested in switching to BP/W

[scubadada]

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.

Hey brucet,

The TransPac does not use a backplate, maybe you're thinking of the TransPlate? You can get plenty of background information from the Dive Rite website SCUBA Diving Equipment for Technical, Wreck and Cave Diving: Dive Rite, Inc and can check prices at a site such as Dive Gear Express Dive Gear Express | Equipment for Experienced Divers The Transplate package is currently going for $585.

Best of luck, good diving, Craig

PS: Sorry, by the time I posted, I see this has already largely been covered by others

 

[brucet]

Well Im gonna go back in 2 weeks, and probably go one route or the other. Any take on the Hollis fins.

 

[ScubaFeenD]

Well Im gonna go back in 2 weeks, and probably go one route or the other. Any take on the Hollis fins.

I would suggest just going with a std harness with a BP/W. The reason is that is it really infinitely expandable and much much cheaper. Then just play around with weighting. Is there a reason you are married to the integrated idea?

Is hollis your only choice for fin?

 

[brucet]

I like the integerated weights rather than having to wear a belt. Personal preference. I am currently trying to shed a few pounds (bout 30 left to go) and know that my lead needs will change. I plan on going back in 2 weeks and making a decision, and with the advice I am geting, it seems I may lean toward an aluminum plate with the pad, rather than the Transpac. For some reason, the guy at the shop seemed real deadset with selling me the Transpac, rather than helping answer my questions about the backplate, other than to say they are difficult to set up. I do like the ability to change it as I need, and don't see the same ability in the transpac. I did try on the Transpac, and was initially impressed with the difference in the feel of weight distribution. As for the Hollis fins, they seemed much lighter than the ScubaPro, and as I seem to be a little foot heavy currently, it seemed like a good choice.

 

[ScubaFeenD]

I like the integerated weights rather than having to wear a belt. Personal preference. I am currently trying to shed a few pounds (bout 30 left to go) and know that my lead needs will change. I plan on going back in 2 weeks and making a decision, and with the advice I am geting, it seems I may lean toward an aluminum plate with the pad, rather than the Transpac. For some reason, the guy at the shop seemed real deadset with selling me the Transpac, rather than helping answer my questions about the backplate, other than to say they are difficult to set up. I do like the ability to change it as I need, and don't see the same ability in the transpac. I did try on the Transpac, and was initially impressed with the difference in the feel of weight distribution. As for the Hollis fins, they seemed much lighter than the ScubaPro, and as I seem to be a little foot heavy currently, it seemed like a good choice.

OK. I was just curious. I have just a few comments about the situation you are in. First, if the guy at the shop you were at was pushy rather than helping I would be weary. The only shops I go to around me are the ones that weren't pushy. I always feel like if they are pushy they are dishonest, which may or may not be true.

If you are looking to shed poundage getting a SS backplate (not Al so much) would help with that since you will shift a few pound into the plate itself. Also, you might be able to put considerable weight on pockets on your cam bands (straps around your tank). Further, Deep sea supply offers plates that you can attach even more weight to. My point being you dont need transpac to get weight off your belt while you can stil enjoy all the advantages of lower price and infinite expandability. I recently went to BP/W and will never look back as I feel it is a superior experience--please dont let a pushy LDS rob you of that experience. I dont have a DSS setup but I hear Tobin (the main man at DSS) is great to talk to about this stuff, so you might want to call DSS if your LDS is giving you the run around about it.

Regarding fins, I dont know too much about the hollis', but I have heard very positive comments about OMS slipstreams which are supposedly much lighter than jets. So you might want to try those too if you can.

Note: sorry if i recovered anything already mentioned here, I havent read many of the previous posts. :-/

 

[brucet]

The weight I am shedding is not on the belt, but underneath. Started at 273 down to 244 so far. I went to Fill Express to look at the BP/W setups. They have been reccomended by several people, and in no way did I find the guy at the shop rude, just more that he seemed intent on putting me in the Transpac. Like I said, it was far more comfortable than my bc. Part of my concern with all of this, is I want to make 1 purchase I am completely satisfied with, and I personally think it is best for me to go somewhere that I can actually try this on, make sure I am getting the right plate and harness. It seems that as I have no real knowledge of the different setups, it would be difficult to just buy something online. I will have the money in 2 weeks to get my gear, and will see what other shops carry the bp/w setups to get some more help with this. And I am going to lool at the OMS fins now. Thanks.

 

[brucet]

Just curious does anyone know of an local shops that carry bp's?