Newbie question: Jacket vs Back Inflation

[Ishie]

Hum-
As far as pockets are concerned...what all do you need to take down with you anyway? Everything you need can be effectively clipped and streamlines using d-rings and rubber bands.

Not generally taking anything down with me, but taking stuff up. All of our diving so far has been shore diving, which means the crud people throw on the beach ends up in our general vicinity. Jim and I have both taken trash off the bottom (that doesn't have anything living in it). We don't grab anything that's going to puncture or damage the BC (glass, fish hooks), etc, but a pocket makes a handy place to put those jellyfish doppelganger plastic sandwich bags.

We're not on "garbage missions". If we were, we'd take down a mesh bag, but from time to time, we see stuff and it's nice to just be able to grab it and shove it in a BC pocket.

For my BC, I'll probably get the pocket that hooks to the BC, but fastens to the thigh. Right now, if I find anything, I just shove it in Jim's pocket. Heh heh. He has a Sherwood Avid.

Ishie

 

[ae3753]

Are you sure it doesn't come with any?

Here's what I get from their shopping cart.

BC1056D Crotch Strap, 1-Inch Webbing, w/ Slide Release, 2-Inch Ring free ea. 1 free
BC1063 Harness, Standard free ea. 1 free
BC2077 Venture Wings $280.00 ea. 1 $280.00
BC2116 Backplate, S/S Polished $135.98 ea. 1 $135.98
BC1086B Shoulder Pads free ea. 1 free

Grand Total: $415.98

No Tank Band/Cam Straps. Still not a bad deal. But as a very good alternative, I would call up NESS. They have some great packages. Their TransPlate package is very enticingly priced (TransPlate, wing, weight pockets, and cam straps). Also, your LDS can potentially hook you up. My LDS did me right and got me the best deal.

On the addition of weight pockets, I wasn't sure if they were included in the price of the harness

Often times not. You have to check everything and see how things are packaged. But like the TransPac (which you got for a very good deal), the BP/W is modular. If you need integrated weight pockets, then you can add it. If you need pockets, then you can add it.

 

[herman]

Hi Gregg,

This is a subject that has been talked about a lot. Let me clearify something for you that the others have missed. There are 2 basic styles of BCs used today, the jacket type and the back inflate. The BP/wing is a varient of the back inflate type. It consists of the metal or plastic plate and a simple harness. The others in the back inflate catagory are similar but tend to have a soft "backplate" and a harness with added items such as quick releases on the shoulder straps.
My personal choice is a back inflate but not a BP. I found the BP less comfortable and a pain to adjust with no advantage for my diving style. Your best bet is to try all 3 and see which you like best and what meets your diving requirements.

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

Can't help you, sorry man, don't talk to peeps with such long screen names...........

Though clearly you have plenty of time on your hands... While I agree you weren't helpful, you just DID talk to me.

I guess I'm lucky that so many other folks here are so much more tolerant and helpful. I like my namesake fishy enough that I'll go ahead and forego assistance from the ones who are not.

Thanks again for taking the time out of your day to post and let me know you won't be helping.

:thumbs_up

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

Maybe the jacket vs. back inflate vs. backplate/wing should be part of the "Frequently Asked Questions for this Group" sticky.

I was kind of suprised it wasn't there. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction and sorry to post redundant questions!

Gregg

 

[jaybird1028]

Ishie - Good points! My personal philosophy is to leave a place better than you found it. I dont need weight and as a result, I do have a pocket attached to my harness. But hey, if you can find someone else to bring it up for you...even better.

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

Hi Gregg,

This is a subject that has been talked about a lot. Let me clearify something for you that the others have missed. There are 2 basic styles of BCs used today, the jacket type and the back inflate. The BP/wing is a varient of the back inflate type. It consists of the metal or plastic plate and a simple harness. The others in the back inflate catagory are similar but tend to have a soft "backplate" and a harness with added items such as quick releases on the shoulder straps.
My personal choice is a back inflate but not a BP. I found the BP less comfortable and a pain to adjust with no advantage for my diving style. Your best bet is to try all 3 and see which you like best and what meets your diving requirements.

Thanks Herman! That does clarify the options a bit.

What is the main reason people who prefer BP/wings over back inflate BCs prefer BPs? Your point about comfort in the BCs makes a lot of sense to me.

 

[cool_hardware52]

Thanks Herman! That does clarify the options a bit.

What is the main reason people who prefer BP/wings over back inflate BCs prefer BPs? Your point about comfort in the BCs makes a lot of sense to me.

Gregg,

I'll never say one way fits all. Some may find a jacket, or back inflate jacket more comfortable than a BackPlate and wing, if that's what works for them great.

However do not assume that a rigid metal backplate is inherently less comfortable than a soft BC. The plate spreads the loads over a large area, and provides stability that any soft pack would be hard pressed to match.

I know the first time I saw a BP&W it looked like torture device, but in reality I have never used a more comfortable rig. I've used them with a T shirt only and 7mm wetsuits.

Best would be to try each type, if you can.



Regards,



Tobin