Eric Sedletzky
Contributor
Because apparently we’re stupid enough to pay it.
Question My debate - go with a BP/W or stick with a back-inflate BC?
- Thread starter jellycatsdad
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Because you produce the highest percentage of CO per capita in the world and consume the highest percentage of fossil fuels, etc. etc. You also pay the least amount of VAT/income tax and have one of the highest standards of living and best economies in human history. You can afford it, so pay it!! The Lower prices they have in APAC is for the poor suffering people there. Don't be envious or jealous, be careful of what you wish for. Be grateful to God for the bounty his bestowed upon you and the great country of the USA.
Beau Holden
Contributor
Been diving SS back plate ever since giving my 1st and only jacket away 18 or so years ago. For doubles I use a DR rec wing. For singles (very rarely), a Oxycheq 18 lb wing with SS single tank adapters. Travel by car, truck, bus, train or plane. By plane, weight can get dicey, but have always managed.
Eric Sedletzky
Contributor
Now. if there was a Freedom plate for the right price available , I would find the money .
Bob DBF
Contributor
The SeaTec Manta had two straps, but what was interesting was that they were attached to fabric that wrapped about 3/4 of the way up the tank to hold it in place.
It's not a great pic, but I was lucky to find one at all. The fabric with Manta on it is the piece that wraps up on one side of the tank, the system stopped any tank movement. I wanted to get one, but my SeaTec jacket didn't want to wear out fast enough.
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This discussion has turned into a comedy. Many consumer goods are cheaper in the US due to lower taxes, lower distribution costs, etc..
I've been diving BP/W rigs since I started diving in 2014. I bought my first one right after finishing OW training.
I have a Hydros Pro that I bought around 2017 to use with teaching OW classes.
In my personal opinion, the nicest, my-most-favoritest single tank rig is Eric's Freedom Contour plate with a suitably-sized wing (I use an 18# VDH wing for tropical diving). That rig is just NICE. It is the McLaren Senna of diving BCDs. But, you probably can't get one, so....
Next up is the Hydros. The Hydros is more comfortable and more stable than a traditional BP/W, and it is quicker and easier to don/doff and to adjust.
However, it is NOT as durable as a BP/W. Nor is it as cheap or as easy to repair if/when something breaks. Most stuff that might break on a Hydros will require parts only found via a ScubaPro dealer.
In contrast, my 3 or 4 BPs with harnesses were built (by me) with nothing but 2" webbing, tri-slides, steel D-rings, bungee cord, a little paracord, and purchased tank straps, trim weight pockets, waist buckle, and crotch strap. The most expensive part on it is the crotch strap, which runs around $25 - 30 for my preferred ones, or maybe the tank straps which are around the same price. There is no plastic anything on it. It's about as close to invulnerable as a piece of diving equipment can be.
The wing could always get damaged - as could the wing on a Hydros. Of the two, I'd rather deal with a damaged regular wing than a damaged Hydros wing. I have field repaired a bladder in a regular wing before and been able to continue diving...
If I didn't have my Freedom Contour plate, I would have to choose between taking my Hydros Pro or a traditional BP/W on Caribbean recreational diving vacations... and I would almost certainly take a BP/W over the Hydros. The peace of mind knowing that nothing on it is going to break and inconvenience my vacation diving is worth it (to me) over the very small improvements in comfort and stability that the Hydros gives. Plus, there's the other benefit of carrying 5# or so less lead when using a steel BP/W. The BP/W is also easier to pack, since you can remove the wing, roll it up and pack it in a whole different bag, if you want to.
One last point is that since the Dive-Xtras BlackTip DPV (aka scooter) came out, having a scooter has gotten to be a LOT more common than it used to be. The Hydros will not accommodate using a scooter, unless you add a crotch strap to it somehow or buy a separate scooter harness to use. A BP/W crotch strap will have a D-ring on the front that is expressly for allowing you to use a scooter. Scootering is fun. I love scootering.
I have a Hydros Pro that I bought around 2017 to use with teaching OW classes.
In my personal opinion, the nicest, my-most-favoritest single tank rig is Eric's Freedom Contour plate with a suitably-sized wing (I use an 18# VDH wing for tropical diving). That rig is just NICE. It is the McLaren Senna of diving BCDs. But, you probably can't get one, so....
Next up is the Hydros. The Hydros is more comfortable and more stable than a traditional BP/W, and it is quicker and easier to don/doff and to adjust.
However, it is NOT as durable as a BP/W. Nor is it as cheap or as easy to repair if/when something breaks. Most stuff that might break on a Hydros will require parts only found via a ScubaPro dealer.
In contrast, my 3 or 4 BPs with harnesses were built (by me) with nothing but 2" webbing, tri-slides, steel D-rings, bungee cord, a little paracord, and purchased tank straps, trim weight pockets, waist buckle, and crotch strap. The most expensive part on it is the crotch strap, which runs around $25 - 30 for my preferred ones, or maybe the tank straps which are around the same price. There is no plastic anything on it. It's about as close to invulnerable as a piece of diving equipment can be.
The wing could always get damaged - as could the wing on a Hydros. Of the two, I'd rather deal with a damaged regular wing than a damaged Hydros wing. I have field repaired a bladder in a regular wing before and been able to continue diving...
If I didn't have my Freedom Contour plate, I would have to choose between taking my Hydros Pro or a traditional BP/W on Caribbean recreational diving vacations... and I would almost certainly take a BP/W over the Hydros. The peace of mind knowing that nothing on it is going to break and inconvenience my vacation diving is worth it (to me) over the very small improvements in comfort and stability that the Hydros gives. Plus, there's the other benefit of carrying 5# or so less lead when using a steel BP/W. The BP/W is also easier to pack, since you can remove the wing, roll it up and pack it in a whole different bag, if you want to.
One last point is that since the Dive-Xtras BlackTip DPV (aka scooter) came out, having a scooter has gotten to be a LOT more common than it used to be. The Hydros will not accommodate using a scooter, unless you add a crotch strap to it somehow or buy a separate scooter harness to use. A BP/W crotch strap will have a D-ring on the front that is expressly for allowing you to use a scooter. Scootering is fun. I love scootering.
OP
jellycatsdad
Contributor
yea, all the ones I’ve rented all had crotch straps. Never needed to use it.
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