New BP\W

[Namchief]

Looking at getting a BP\W setup. But what happens if I dont like it. I am stuck with another piece of gear that is not for me. I live in the middle of nowhere and no one dives a BP\W that I know of. I am a big guy (wide not tall)and not sure of the Hog or deluxe harness would be better. Any suggestions other than buy it you will like it?

 

[red_infinity]

Why not ask if you can return it if you don't like it?

-Francis

 

[Geoff_H]

I don't know how to advise you, other than possibly making a trip somewhere where you could dive different pieces of equipment and try them out.

I'm a big guy too (cough, cough, fat) and dive a BP/W - I absolutely love it. One of the best features for me is I can adjust it up and down easily if I gain/lose weight which is on the plans for 2007 (the latter option).

I can't ever see myself going back to a jacket style BCD now. If you carry a lot of weight with a jacket, you could opt for a stainless steel backplate which will help you carry less weight.. now I have no extra weight if I dive any steel tank and it's a liberating experience!

Even with aluminium tanks, I just carry 2 or 4kg in the tank band belt.

 

[Namchief]

I don't know how to advise you, other than possibly making a trip somewhere where you could dive different pieces of equipment and try them out.

I'm a big guy too (cough, cough, fat) and dive a BP/W - I absolutely love it. One of the best features for me is I can adjust it up and down easily if I gain/lose weight which is on the plans for 2007 (the latter option).

I can't ever see myself going back to a jacket style BCD now. If you carry a lot of weight with a jacket, you could opt for a stainless steel backplate which will help you carry less weight.. now I have no extra weight if I dive any steel tank and it's a liberating experience!

Even with aluminium tanks, I just carry 2 or 4kg in the tank band belt.

Do you use a Hog harness or profit/deluxe harness?

 

[Geoff_H]

I wasn't sure about the answer, a quick Google leads me to think it's a standard Hog harness. There is no chest strap, but it does have one quick release buckle on one shoulder strap.

To be honest, I've never used that QR buckle so I wouldn't bother with it again.

 

[almitywife]

im making the decision about a bpw now myself and ive got 2 dist lending me a setup to play with before i buy

if i dont like... ive not spent $$$...maybe you can approach your local dealer and ask him for a trydive first

cheers

 

[Namchief]

im making the decision about a bpw now myself and ive got 2 dist lending me a setup to play with before i buy

if i dont like... ive not spent $$$...maybe you can approach your local dealer and ask him for a trydive first

cheers

Thanks but the Local Dealer for a BP/W is 125-225 miles away depending on manufacture. Leaning towards DSS (large plate and plate weights)and no dealers at least that I know of.

 

[mirrocraft]

ok guys this is just my 2 cents but i dive doubles with a back plate and wing if you are looking in to it you wont be stuck with it theres a site called www.thedecostop.com its like this one but full of tech divers like my self most of use use back plate and wing in many different ways theres double like m self and theres side mount where you carry your tanks sepperet on each side and you can get a single tank adapter for a single tank on the back. a back plate and wing can make diving more confereble. for example you dont have the squize of a rap around bcd. im not to good at explaining things but if you check out the web site its a free site just like this one most people on there are members here as well so

 

[*Floater*]

Looking at getting a BP\W setup. But what happens if I dont like it. I am stuck with another piece of gear that is not for me. I live in the middle of nowhere and no one dives a BP\W that I know of. I am a big guy (wide not tall)and not sure of the Hog or deluxe harness would be better. Any suggestions other than buy it you will like it?

as with everything, if you don't like it then you'll have to sell it (or keep it) and eat the loss. however bp/w rigs are currently in good demand so you should be able to get at least half your money back, hopefully more.

the DSS rig is well regarded on this board so you could probably get a good price for it here if you don't like it. or you could buy a used bp/w wing for cheap, so then you'd lose even less money if you end up selling it again.

i like my hog harness because after i got used to it and adjusted it, it was super easy to don, doff and i like the minimalist approach. some padding would be nice if i had to trek long distances with doubles on my back, but i don't. a quick-release would make it maybe 20 seconds faster to take off on land and sometimes easier to get into. an adjustment mechanism would make it quicker to adjust when changing exposure protection than the 2-3 min i have to spend now. and some people may like a chest strap but i've never felt a need for one. for those benefits though i couldn't be bothered with the extra cost and reported disadvantages of comfort harnesses (clutter, harder to customize, more buoyant, failure points, more restrictive, etc). it's about personal preference though... and i may add a quick-release to one shoulder strap of my hog harness at some point in the future, but even then i want it exactly where i want it rather than some pre-designed harness clip location...

 

[wunat]

Frankly, I don't think there is a good answer to your concerns. You will never really know if you like it or not until to actually try it yourself.

I am a fairly large person myself. weighting 220lb at 6ft tall. I started off with the DR TransPlate (with quick releases and padding). I am now with the hog setup and never look back.