Just got Open Water Cert, Question on Equipment

[nnhood]

Hello,

I just got my open water cert last week, I was actually doing pretty good with bouyancy in the pool.
Then we went to a Quarry and went from 3mm to 7mm wetsuits and a Halcyon BCD with backplate which I didn't use in the pool.

Everyone seems to say Halcyon is great and you'll never need another BCD, but I really didn't like the weight of the plate.
Any suggestions of another brand that is also reliable? I've seen ScubaPro, Cressi, Zeagle, and probably a few others.

Not trying to be cheap and just pay $200.00 or something, willing to spend for good equipment.

Thank you!!
Matt

 

[Eric802]

If the weight of the plate was an issue, I assume it was stainless steel. You can probably get the same plate in aluminum.

 

[Dark Wolf]

I would take a look at Dive Gear Express packages with an aluminum plate.

DW

 

[Robert H. Diver]

DGX Custom - DGX Gears Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing Package

A basic DGX backplate/wing/harness package for single tank diving at a value price.

www.divegearexpress.com

 

[Subcooled]

Hello,

I just got my open water cert last week, I was actually doing pretty good with bouyancy in the pool.
Then we went to a Quarry and went from 3mm to 7mm wetsuits and a Halcyon BCD with backplate which I didn't use in the pool.

Everyone seems to say Halcyon is great and you'll never need another BCD, but I really didn't like the weight of the plate.
Any suggestions of another brand that is also reliable? I've seen ScubaPro, Cressi, Zeagle, and probably a few others.

Not trying to be cheap and just pay $200.00 or something, willing to spend for good equipment.

Thank you!!
Matt

Do you really need a backplate?

It's only needed for double tanks for long and deep dives (unless you sidemount your double tanks).

Many people dive happily with jacket style BCD:s.

 

[Robert H. Diver]

Do you really need a backplate?

It's only needed for double tanks for long and deep dives (unless you sidemount your double tanks).

Many people dive happily with jacket style BCD:s.

Totally false. I dive single tank BPW and it’s so much better than a jacket bcd. Easier for travel too.

 

[inquis]

I really didn't like the weight of the plate.

You need a given amount of ballast to combat the flotation of the wetsuit. If you go with a lighter plate, you need more lead bricks -- there's no free lunch. The heavier plate is advantageous because it positions the ballast up high which has a tendency to counter being "leg-heavy". If all your ballast is in the form of lead bricks around your waist, you're liable to look like a sea horse, have buoyancy issues, and burn through air faster. Of course, it is possible to put lead bricks up high (avoiding the sea horse pose), but the advantage of a lighter plate is when checking in your bag at the airport.

 

[Marie13]

Do you really need a backplate?

It's only needed for double tanks for long and deep dives (unless you sidemount your double tanks).

Many people dive happily with jacket style BCD:s.

 

[FF / EMT]

Do you really need a backplate?

It's only needed for double tanks for long and deep dives (unless you sidemount your double tanks).

Many people dive happily with jacket style BCD:s.

Ok ASD.

 

[Dark Wolf]

You need a given amount of ballast to combat the flotation of the wetsuit. If you go with a lighter plate, you need more lead bricks -- there's no free lunch. The heavier plate is advantageous because it positions the ballast up high which has a tendency to counter being "leg-heavy". If all your ballast is in the form of lead bricks around your waist, you're liable to look like a sea horse, have buoyancy issues, and burn through air faster. Of course, it is possible to put lead bricks up high (avoiding the sea horse pose), but the advantage of a lighter plate is when checking in your bag at the airport.

For me, the aluminum plate is also nice for being less head heavy in steel doubles.

DW