More BP/W questions

[zach5150]

Hello everyone...this seems to be a popular topic on here! I'm a brand new diver...just got my OW ticket last weekend. The BC that I almost bought had a poor fit in the water and I'm working w/ my LDS on other options. My instructor is a tech diver and was diving a BP/W setup and I started considering it. I've pretty much made up my mind that this is the system I want to go with, but I have a few questions.
Are different brands interchangeable? I'm looking at a Dive Rite RecWing that was used once in freshwater only....it's a 51 lb bladder and supposedly can be used w/ either a big single or a set of medium twins. Is that too much bladder for a single?
If I buy this bladder, do I HAVE to buy the dive rite Backplate?

Any other tips of do's and dont's when it comes to putting a rig together?

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[onfloat]

Get a bladder that is made for single tank diving if your diving single tanks and a bladder that is made for double tank diving if your diving doubles.

Kind of like an enduro motorcycle made for both dirt and street. It's not really good at either one.

 

[Laser]

Hello everyone...this seems to be a popular topic on here! I'm a brand new diver...just got my OW ticket last weekend. The BC that I almost bought had a poor fit in the water and I'm working w/ my LDS on other options. My instructor is a tech diver and was diving a BP/W setup and I started considering it. I've pretty much made up my mind that this is the system I want to go with, but I have a few questions.
Are different brands interchangeable? I'm looking at a Dive Rite RecWing that was used once in freshwater only....it's a 51 lb bladder and supposedly can be used w/ either a big single or a set of medium twins. Is that too much bladder for a single?
If I buy this bladder, do I HAVE to buy the dive rite Backplate?

Any other tips of do's and dont's when it comes to putting a rig together?

Thanks in advance for any input.

You can use virtually any wing with most BP's. There are exceptions where the holes don't line up.

The 51 lb is fine for doubles but will be flopping all over -- taco effect -- with a single.
It's doable, but very far from optimal.

 

[diveprof]

Use the tools for the purpose. Use a 30 lb wing ( or less for singles). See avatar in Roatan (BP and singles wing makes a great travel BC!!!) One size does not fit all.

 

[ChrisA]

[The BPs are pretty much standrad. Two hole 11 inches apart. But I've found subtle differences. Some with three sets of holes so youcan adjust where the tank mounts over about a 2 inch rance. Some BPs hve sharp metal edges and othes are nicely finished. some have better quality stainless steel and some are thicker then others some have slots that allow you to optionally not use an STA somehave a 2" wide crotch strat slot sone 1 inch and some both but basically they all interchance. Hammerhead ssells them for about $80 and OMS for about $140 All kinds of subtle differences but most seem to have the same 11 inch spacing.

 

[TheRedHead]

I don't like the RecWing for either singles or doubles and I'm pretty much a Dive Rite girl. . The Classic Wing is a better doubles wing and the Venture Wing, a better singles wing. With the Recwing, you have to lean back and tilt to the right to vent the air out when diving with a single tank. And for single tank diving, you need to bungee the excess wing.

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

Just curious...what is the price on that used rig?

Personally, I like the DSS and Oxycheq wings more than the Rec wings. And 51 pounds is WAY too big for singles diving.

You can get a DSS single tank rig for $450. It's the standout plate of the bunch, and, in my opinion, the best single tank wing out there (that I have tried).

Cobbling together a hammerhead plate and a wing from somewhere else maybe you could do better.

Northwest Scuba Supply has DiveRite deals (or had them).

Anyway, get the right tool for the job. Don't get the 51 pound wing, even if it is cheap. You won't get a lot of the benefits of a properly sized BP/W if your wing is too large.

Cheers

 

[zach5150]

Wow....not even 30 minutes and I've got 5 replies!! You guys and girls are great! Thanks for all the great info. I was really considering that RecWing, but I think I'll go w/ a 30lb one for now.

Thanks a bunch!
-Zach

 

[zach5150]

Just curious...what is the price on that used rig?

Personally, I like the DSS and Oxycheq wings more than the Rec wings. And 51 pounds is WAY too big for singles diving.

You can get a DSS single tank rig for $450. It's the standout plate of the bunch, and, in my opinion, the best single tank wing out there (that I have tried).

Cobbling together a hammerhead plate and a wing from somewhere else maybe you could do better.

Northwest Scuba Supply has DiveRite deals (or had them).

Anyway, get the right tool for the job. Don't get the 51 pound wing, even if it is cheap. You won't get a lot of the benefits of a properly sized BP/W if your wing is too large.

Cheers

The RecWing is 175 dollars plus shipping. It's on the classified board here....thanks for the info and advice!
-zach

 

[SparticleBrane]

I managed to snag a Classic Wing + SS backplate & harness for $275!