New Diver - how to try BP/W?

[Centrals]

.... Never know till you ask, right?

Of course.
Same as coming here and don't be embarrassed to ask.
The suggested DGX package is very good and you can use it as reference to know what is required(minimum). Accessory including weight pocket, webbing etc etc is for later day if needed.
There is no need to spend any money at this stage. Just go out and learn, there must be tons of video in youtube on the topic.

 

[Gone for diving]

Sounds like you are doing this thought fully.... I have a hunch once you use a backplate that's properly set for you, there will be no going back to a jacket... or at least it will need to have a crotch strap...
It is a amazing how much a crotch strap does....
(PS if you have a long torso and long arms. Get a longer plate.. after diving for 10ish years I made a plate extension and it's so nice having the waist belt at easy reach. It's so comfortable?)

Sounds like you dive more warm water.
So depending what you wear.
a nice SS plate will give you enough weight and you might not need a weight belt... especially with steel tanks. If you are flying you might want an aluminum plate.. but otherwise you are lugging lead anyway... take a SS plate.. no different...

For me getting a back plate is a no brainer.
But everyone has to make there own mistakes sometimes... I sure did.
Now I don't know how many backplates I own... 6-8ish maybe..
Just what I have picked up over the years...
Look on Facebook marketplace or something like that... you can find really good deals.

 

[Julius SCHMIDT]

I ended up with a spare BP+W setup just in the process of purchasing upgrades.

Drive it over to JohnnyOTS as a loaner SlugMug, go diving and make a friend for life

 

[SlugLife]

Drive it over to JohnnyOTS as a loaner SlugMug, go diving and make a friend for life

Road trips drive me crazy. However, if he made a road-trip to Austin, he'd be more than welcome to try it.

 

[JohnnyOTS]

LOL! Not a lot of diving in Phoenix right now - I'm told it's algae season for Lake Pleasant. Plus the gas, plus the 14 hour drive each way...like SlugMug suggested I'll just keep an eye out for some used gear and see what I can find. I won't have a chance to go diving for a few months anyway.

 

[ejk]

Hi. I dive a BP/w and so do most of my friends. Once you get your rig set up you'll never go back
Stop by Sea 2 Sea on Shea and the 51 ... There's always plenty in stock and if you're heading in the tech direction, you'll want to start hanging out with us anyway - it's the tech-iest shop in town

The lake is very clear these days. No algae yet but it's coming so get out and dive while it's still good!