New to BP & Wing: Suggestions for purchase

[ReillyP]

Hi all,

I am looking to pick up a backplate and wing system as I hate the trim jacket style BCDs give me (heavy feet.)

I have dove twice with a halcyon infinity system which was nice in terms of simplicity and trim, but trapped air in my drysuit which had my buoyancy less than ideal.

I am looking to get a good backplate and wing system for some research I will be doing this summer:
Requirements are i need at least 42 lbs to sink in my drysuit and undergarments (40 and I can't get down), I am on a student budget so would prefer something maybe without the halcyon price tag, lastly I want something that can grow with me such as allowing doubles in the future or the ability to swap to a lighter plate for travel.

I was looking at the Hollis STS elite but I worry the 35 lbs lift wing will not be enough for me in stronger seas (42lbs weighted, 280lbs person)

I have also been shown halcyon but it's nearly double the cost of other systems.

I am located in Vancouver Canada if anyone has anything used or knows any deals.

Thanks,
Reilly

 

[divad]

Hi all,


I have dove twice with a halcyon infinity system which was nice in terms of simplicity and trim, but trapped air in my drysuit which had my buoyancy less than ideal.

Air trapping is a skill problem, not a wing problem.

 

[ReillyP]

Air trapping is a skill problem, not a wing problem.

Yea was my first 2 dives with a backplate and I am sure I will get used to the system. As the post and my profile say I am a beginner.

Does it have to do with shoulder webbing or waistbelt webbing tightness? Did not have this issue on rental gear (jacket style)

Suggestions would be appreciated tho as that was the point of my post

 

[divad]

Re tightness of shoulder webbing, @ the chest D-ring you should allow 2 fingers ( about 1 1/2 inches) between webbing and chest. Try and find some halcyon videos.

 

[Marie13]

Hi all,

I am looking to pick up a backplate and wing system as I hate the trim jacket style BCDs give me (heavy feet.)

I have dove twice with a halcyon infinity system which was nice in terms of simplicity and trim, but trapped air in my drysuit which had my buoyancy less than ideal.

I am looking to get a good backplate and wing system for some research I will be doing this summer:
Requirements are i need at least 42 lbs to sink in my drysuit and undergarments (40 and I can't get down), I am on a student budget so would prefer something maybe without the halcyon price tag, lastly I want something that can grow with me such as allowing doubles in the future or the ability to swap to a lighter plate for travel.

I was looking at the Hollis STS elite but I worry the 35 lbs lift wing will not be enough for me in stronger seas (42lbs weighted, 280lbs person)

I have also been shown halcyon but it's nearly double the cost of other systems.

I am located in Vancouver Canada if anyone has anything used or knows any deals.

Thanks,
Reilly

Since you're in Canada, going to suggest Dan's Dive Shop in Ontario. Other Canadian posters have said they're the Canadian equivalent of DGX or Piranha. They sell BP/W.

Home

Dan's Dive Shop offers the Finest Scuba Diving Courses, Dive and Snorkeling Gear for Recreational, Professional, Cave, Technical, Rebreather.

www.dansdiveshop.ca

They sell Dive Rite. They are my favorite wing and their BP are good and basic. There is a 45lb wing that might be an option. Contact Dan’s and go from there.

 

[drakcheslav]

My vote is go with the cheapest standard BP/W.

Nothing permium in BP/W is worth it if you ask me.

 

[runsongas]

a 40lb wing should be sufficient even in the event of a full suit flood. 45lbs generally is going to be a double tank design and too wide to work well with a single tank.

apeks, halcyon, and dolphin tech all offer a 40lb single donut wing. i think scubapro discontinued the 40lb xtek wing.

 

[BoltSnap]

i think scubapro discontinued the 40lb xtek wing.

https://scubapro.johnsonoutdoors.com/newfeatured/bcds/s-tek-donut-wing?id=31991

 

[drrich2]

as I hate the trim jacket style BCDs give me (heavy feet.)

What kind of fins are you diving with? If heavy, switching to near neutrally buoyant fins might help a lot. Deep6 Eddy's (I use), OMS Slipstreams (I have used), IIRC ScubaPro Go Sports (never tried), worth thinking about.

Richard.

 

[ReillyP]

What kind of fins are you diving with? If heavy, switching to near neutrally buoyant fins might help a lot. Deep6 Eddy's (I use), OMS Slipstreams (I have used), IIRC ScubaPro Go Sports (never tried), worth thinking about.

Richard.

Was Diving with rentals,


Now diving with RK3's and feet are much higher / better trim