freewillie
Contributor
For a long time when a new diver asks questions and advice for new BC purchase within a few responses someone will eventually throw out that a back plate with wing set up is the best and most affordable way to start. I will agree that if a diver plans to dive double tanks or use side mount that a back plate wing is the only way to go. I will also agree that for customization purposes you can change from cold water to warm water wings and not have to purchase two different BC's. And I used to assume that when someone said that is was a less expensive way to start purchasing gear until I started looking at the cost of the individual components.
Looking at several websites including the Halcyon website, Scuba.com, Leisurepro, and Scubatoys (the last three being actual online sites I have purchased gear) I found that when you add up the components it can get quite expensive. I found a harness system for $60, a pack plate for about $71 but most were at least $100 or more, and a wing for $300. All total it came to about $431. The average cost I would say for a back plate with wing would more likely run around $580 which would be $130 for the harness, $150 for the back plate, and $300 for the wing. And then I would also have to use a weight belt.
I found an Aqualung Zuma travel BC on sale for $299. I also found a Dive Rite travel back plate with harness on sale for $399. So the back plate with wing set up was still $100 more than an off the self back inflate BC.
My own Zeagle Stiletto back inflate BC cost $500 after a discount from my LDS. That would still be less than the $580 figure I calculated earlier.
So am I missing something? Is a back plate with wing that much less expensive than a regular BC? And just for sake of discussion, the posts here in the New Diver section are divers either finishing their basic OW course or about to start their OW course. They are still a long way from getting enough experience and skills to really utilize the side mount and doubles flexibility of the back plate system.
Looking at several websites including the Halcyon website, Scuba.com, Leisurepro, and Scubatoys (the last three being actual online sites I have purchased gear) I found that when you add up the components it can get quite expensive. I found a harness system for $60, a pack plate for about $71 but most were at least $100 or more, and a wing for $300. All total it came to about $431. The average cost I would say for a back plate with wing would more likely run around $580 which would be $130 for the harness, $150 for the back plate, and $300 for the wing. And then I would also have to use a weight belt.
I found an Aqualung Zuma travel BC on sale for $299. I also found a Dive Rite travel back plate with harness on sale for $399. So the back plate with wing set up was still $100 more than an off the self back inflate BC.
My own Zeagle Stiletto back inflate BC cost $500 after a discount from my LDS. That would still be less than the $580 figure I calculated earlier.
So am I missing something? Is a back plate with wing that much less expensive than a regular BC? And just for sake of discussion, the posts here in the New Diver section are divers either finishing their basic OW course or about to start their OW course. They are still a long way from getting enough experience and skills to really utilize the side mount and doubles flexibility of the back plate system.