Is a Transpac considered a Back-inflate BCD or BP/W?
- Thread starter Jarrett
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Jarrett:
Well, it can't be a bp/w since a backplate is not part of a TransPac...
I guess one could say that a bp/wing is a type of "back inflate BC" and the TransPac (and similar systems such as Scubapro X-Tek/S-Tek, OMS IQ Pack, OxyCheq O-Pac, etc.) is another type of "back inflate BC," a modular system similar to a bp/wing but lacking a rigid backplate like a "true" bp/wing.
A TransPlate, otoh, would be the "bp" and harness part of a bp/wing system.
BSea
Contributor
Jarrett:
That's how I would look at it. The function is almost identical except for the weight of the plate, and that the plate is more rigid. I haven't dove the transpac, but I think I would like it. But then I would have to deal with some sort of weight. As it is right now, I don't need any weight when I use a steel tank in warm salt water when I use my ss BP/W. And with fresh water, I can dive a full wetsuit (5/4) with hood & gloves, and still don't need any additional weight.
I realize that if I used an AL or a Kydex plate from DSS, I would have the weight issues, and those setups would be closer to the transpac.
cool_hardware52
Contributor
Jarrett:
Why do you care about semantics?
If you want a back inflate get one, they have their place. If I wanted a back inflate a Transpack would be at the top of my list.
If you want a BP&W, or need one for a particular course, get one, lots of good choices available today.
Tobin
djanni
Contributor
Jarrett:
I would go with both Vie's and BSea's comments. With the word "plate" it's assumed there's something ridged. With the word "Pac/Pack" it would be assumed not to be ridged - as in softpac.
Preface: To my Transpac I added 2, 2lb trim weights to the backpac and they make a nice trim improvement.
Interesting........... I just returned from a Nekton trip (hope you don't mind me offering some of my pictures from the trip http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=155386) and had a big surprise regarding weight.
With a 3mm and an AL80 is usually use 10-12 lbs of lead. Can't hold a safety stop with less than 10.
I knew we would be diving steel 95's and figured that would allow me to drop 5 lbs of lead. I took a 1mm full suit and figured that would be worth another 2 lbs compared to a 3mm. I was looking forward to dropping around 7 lbs and figured I'd start out with just the 4 lbs in trim weight and no additional weight in the weight pockets.
I was too heavy. I dropped 1 of the 2 lb trim weights and was about right. I guessing the 1mm made a bigger difference than I anticipated. I could have accomplished the same thing using a bp/w with a plastic backplate or maybe an aluminum plate but would have been unable to accomplish it with a SS plate. Especially one with a STA. I would have been far too heavy all week.
Anyway I thought you might find that info useful if you're considering a bp/w and you dive in warm waters in a thin wetsuit.
PerroneFord
Contributor
DSS makes a plate of Kydex. It's plastic. Dive Rite makes an ABS plate. The transpac has no plate. Thus it is not a BP/W nor is it sold as one.
Dive Rite's offering in the BP/W arena is the Transplate. Or you could buy a raw plate and rig up a harness and buy a wing.
Dive Rite's offering in the BP/W arena is the Transplate. Or you could buy a raw plate and rig up a harness and buy a wing.
Plates (except paper plates) are generally rigid, but what difference does it make? You either like it or your don't. It's classification shouldn't matter.
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