Need help with advanced equiment choices

[O.M.O.H.]

Hi all,

I need all help I can get, hopefully from the actual users.

I just put together three different packages for BP/W set up all at the same dealer / lds with whom I’ve dealt many times including gear purchases and servicing.


All three packages are pretty much the same configuration only made by different companies. In my dilettante view all three are equally good and even priced within 10% of each other.


So here they are:

• OMS Comfort Harness + SS backplate, 45lbs wing + bungies, 2 no-sag weight pockets, single tank adapter, 2 cam bands with SS buckles, backplate pad, crotch strap
• Poseidon BeSea W50, 2 weight pockets, crotch strap, accessory pocket, 2 extra d-rings
• Deep Outdoors Ballistic Freedom System, same as OMS packgae (1) and with the same accessories as OMS package

So I equally like all three of them. The guy at the shop only confused me even further by reading a lecture about how good they all are. (J/K)
Help me decide.

 

[nereas]

You can easily make your own harness with about 15 ft of webbing, any steel backplate (or two), STA, stainless steel weight retainers, D rings, and a stainless steel weight belt buckle.

Halcyon makes nice, heavy duty weight belt buckles, so I would take a look at those. They also make great STAs and tank straps, with metal buckles on them as well, for single tank diving.

For colder water, I have discovered that you can bolt together two stainless steel backplates with an STA, and then this gives you about 14 lbs of weight higher up on your back and close to your body, requiring less weight (as little as 10 lbs, assuming you are diving dry) on your weight belt, resulting in perfect trim. You would need to go to your local marine supply store and get 2 stainless steel bolts in the next larger size than those that come with the STA, if you want to bolt 2 backplates together, for cold water. There are also backplates available in some locations across the country that come with additional weighting made onto them.

If you need to make further adjustments to your trim, Halcyon makes nice little trim pouches that fit anywhere.

Then you can attach any of the popular wings to it, and take your pick.


Therefore I would not recommend any of the "standard packages" that you mentioned.

Instead, I suggest that you simply weave your own harness. The store owner or a technical diver can show you how to put it all together. And then you will save yourself a ton of money (half price) and have a completely customized unit that is fully adjustable.

 

[Rainer]

How much are each of these? And why do you need 45# of lift for a single tank? ~$450 buys you a great singles rig from DSS.

 

[O.M.O.H.]

How much are each of these? And why do you need 45# of lift for a single tank? ~$450 buys you a great singles rig from DSS.

Prices for all three ranged somewhere between 580 for Deep Outdoors to 625 for Poseidon. OMS was in between.

As far as lift goes, i dive in cold water 99% and here 45# is more or less an axiom... noone dives with less.

 

[Rainer]

Prices for all three ranged somewhere between 580 for Deep Outdoors to 625 for Poseidon. OMS was in between.

As far as lift goes, i dive in cold water 99% and here 45# is more or less an axiom... noone dives with less.

Get out and meet more divers. The water here is much colder. Been right aroud 37F the last few weeks. I don't see anyone with more than 35# in a single rig, and 30# is pretty standard. Have you actually done any weight checks or calculations to determine what lift you need? Or are you just blindly following what others are doing? Pretty basic stuff to determine the lift you'll need. As I said, the DSS kit is much better priced than what you've listed.

 

[RonFrank]

I purchased a BP/W and went with an OMS singles donut wing (32lbs), a hammerhead steel BP and STA, the DiveRite Basic harness, and DR CAM bands.

I agree with others that suggest you do NOT need 45lbs of lift for a single tank, even Steel. I dive a drysuit with the BP/W, and have no issue with lift with a 32 lbs wing. In fact, I rarely inflate it likely even half full, and that is only on the surface. At depth a few squirts here and there below 60' does the job. If you have your weighting correct, you don't need much lift to keep afloat, or neutral at depth.

Most divers I know using a 45lbs wing are doing so with doubles.

 

[nereas]

...As far as lift goes, i dive in cold water 99% and here 45# is more or less an axiom... noone dives with less.

Wetsuit or drysuit?

 

[O.M.O.H.]

Wetsuit or drysuit?

Drysuit, nylon with 16oz undies.

 

[nereas]

I purchased a BP/W and went with an OMS singles donut wing (32lbs), a hammerhead steel BP and STA, the DiveRite Basic harness, and DR CAM bands.

I agree with others that suggest you do NOT need 45lbs of lift for a single tank, even Steel. I dive a drysuit with the BP/W, and have no issue with lift with a 32 lbs wing. In fact, I rarely inflate it likely even half full, and that is only on the surface. At depth a few squirts here and there below 60' does the job. If you have your weighting correct, you don't need much lift to keep afloat, or neutral at depth.

Most divers I know using a 45lbs wing are doing so with doubles.

Wetsuit compression is a whole different matter, of course, if he is diving with a wetsuit.

If he is diving with a drysuit, then I generally agree with you, Ron.

But then, there are no lobsters in Colorado, huh?

 

[nereas]

Drysuit, nylon with 16oz undies.

Lobster diver? or not?

A big bag of lobsters can weigh a ton. Then you might need more lift, indeed, yes!