No jacket required~ BP setup help
- Thread starter raybo
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Here's my 1.5 cents - don't know enough to geve you a full two... 
I dive a single, exclusively. My personal rig is a PST HP steel 100. Of course, I also get to use the beater AL80's offered on dive boats from time to time, and at Catalina when I don't feel like schlepping my own cylinder over there. So my 1.5 cents is about the single.
The 36# Pioneer is great. It inflates so fast - I mean fast. Even orally, its 4 full breaths and its solid. My fluffy Black Diamond was 50# of lift...and that was just crazy for a single anything. I like the "taco" description....funny. But the 36 is great.
After being on a boat for a two days last weekend and making 8 dives (5 + 3) I'm for sure getting an STA. I want to simply slide in the channel weight to offset the +4 of the AL80s I'll be using. I'll keep it off when using my own cylinder, as I want ditchable weight (the ACB's...) I could have gotten the FredT and the channel weight and had nothing on the belt - but I like the peace of mind of being able to ditch some and get my rig back to the surface if needed.
For the prices I paid on eBay for my stuff, I couldn't see investing the extra time (or money) in having to finish the Fred Plate. Of course, I frayed my harness on my new Halcyon....so I should have at least checked. My bad. But it was a 10 minute investment in time, finishing would have been a LOT more. For me, I needed a rig quickly and Halycon stuff is on eBay all the time.
Had a tough time with the bolt snaps and gloves, too. On Monday I moved up the D-ring up a bit (closer to my clavicle) and its much easier to do that upside-down clip and unclip thing now.
Changing wings is simple stuff with an STA, because the straps are threaded through the STA and not the BP its self. 2 wing nuts and whamo - you're done. Not that I need to ever change (diving single) but I took it apart to dunk it (I understand I really don't need to...but I'm glad I did or I wouldn't have found the fraying harness...) and it was a big pain taking apart the buckles, un-threading the straps, etc. Again, I see an STA in my near future.
As far as the manifold and stuff - I stayed decidely low tech. I'm just using my Atomic B1 reg spun onto my standard valve. I simply added a Z1 2nd for the necklace. If there is tech, overhead or doubles in your future, everyone speaks very highly of the cost-to-performance value of the Sea Elite's.
Rock on Ray - You're going to love it.
I dive a single, exclusively. My personal rig is a PST HP steel 100. Of course, I also get to use the beater AL80's offered on dive boats from time to time, and at Catalina when I don't feel like schlepping my own cylinder over there. So my 1.5 cents is about the single.
The 36# Pioneer is great. It inflates so fast - I mean fast. Even orally, its 4 full breaths and its solid. My fluffy Black Diamond was 50# of lift...and that was just crazy for a single anything. I like the "taco" description....funny. But the 36 is great.
After being on a boat for a two days last weekend and making 8 dives (5 + 3) I'm for sure getting an STA. I want to simply slide in the channel weight to offset the +4 of the AL80s I'll be using. I'll keep it off when using my own cylinder, as I want ditchable weight (the ACB's...) I could have gotten the FredT and the channel weight and had nothing on the belt - but I like the peace of mind of being able to ditch some and get my rig back to the surface if needed.
For the prices I paid on eBay for my stuff, I couldn't see investing the extra time (or money) in having to finish the Fred Plate. Of course, I frayed my harness on my new Halcyon....so I should have at least checked. My bad. But it was a 10 minute investment in time, finishing would have been a LOT more. For me, I needed a rig quickly and Halycon stuff is on eBay all the time.
Had a tough time with the bolt snaps and gloves, too. On Monday I moved up the D-ring up a bit (closer to my clavicle) and its much easier to do that upside-down clip and unclip thing now.
Changing wings is simple stuff with an STA, because the straps are threaded through the STA and not the BP its self. 2 wing nuts and whamo - you're done. Not that I need to ever change (diving single) but I took it apart to dunk it (I understand I really don't need to...but I'm glad I did or I wouldn't have found the fraying harness...) and it was a big pain taking apart the buckles, un-threading the straps, etc. Again, I see an STA in my near future.
As far as the manifold and stuff - I stayed decidely low tech. I'm just using my Atomic B1 reg spun onto my standard valve. I simply added a Z1 2nd for the necklace. If there is tech, overhead or doubles in your future, everyone speaks very highly of the cost-to-performance value of the Sea Elite's.
Rock on Ray - You're going to love it.
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Chunk of lead that rests in the channel between your doubles. They come in 8 and 12 lb versions (which can be trimmed down with a wood chisel and hammer if need be)
http://www.halcyon.net/images/weight5.jpg
WW
Ray - here's a link I found earlier someplace on the board. Being a handy guy, you might get into this. Its pretty easy.
K
http://www.cisatlantic.com/trimix/vweight/pweight.htm
K
http://www.cisatlantic.com/trimix/vweight/pweight.htm
I though I remember uncle pug referring to his as a keel wieght, but same thing conceptually. I'm a bit of a tinkerer,and pretty handy around the shop. 25 years in construction and racing cars kind of helps in that department. In general, seem like the BP/wing is very adaptable to slight personal adjustment if you're so inclined.
Mo2vation...
I saw your first, I think 2nd, and then 5th? What happened to 2 & 3?
That link is something very similar to what I had in mind. Too easy!
My public humiliation - the complete works...
The assimilation begins... Resistance seems futile
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20998
The Assimilation Continues (part 2 of ?) Searching for 36# wing...
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21786
The Assimiliation Continues, Part 3... Wing arrived! The rest should roll in tomorrow
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22023
The Assimiliation continues - Part 4 (its all here...)
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22060
The Assimilation Continues - Part 5. My first 8 dives with BP/W & DIR Reg config
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22302
The assimilation begins... Resistance seems futile
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20998
The Assimilation Continues (part 2 of ?) Searching for 36# wing...
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21786
The Assimiliation Continues, Part 3... Wing arrived! The rest should roll in tomorrow
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22023
The Assimiliation continues - Part 4 (its all here...)
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22060
The Assimilation Continues - Part 5. My first 8 dives with BP/W & DIR Reg config
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=22302
I stumbled across this :
a 36lb MC System is 430.00 complete,
and asked:
When you say an MC system complete, what are you considering complete?
I'm looking to change out my back inflate BC for a BP/Wing setup.
and got the response:
When I say complete, I mean the whole BC....
The complete system...or BC....consists of the Backplate and harness, Pioneer (or Explorer for doubles) wing, and backplate
pad/storage pack. With the Pioneer system you also get 2 tank or sometimes called "cam" straps with Stainless steel buckles.
Thoughts?
a 36lb MC System is 430.00 complete,
and asked:
When you say an MC system complete, what are you considering complete?
I'm looking to change out my back inflate BC for a BP/Wing setup.
and got the response:
When I say complete, I mean the whole BC....
The complete system...or BC....consists of the Backplate and harness, Pioneer (or Explorer for doubles) wing, and backplate
pad/storage pack. With the Pioneer system you also get 2 tank or sometimes called "cam" straps with Stainless steel buckles.
Thoughts?
be sure you're not getting gouged for freight.
If you want extra, ditchable weight, you'll need a weight belt or ACB.
The pad / storage pack is overrated IMHO. I'm taking the rig for a spin this Monday without it. If it OK, the "pad" will be sold to someone else as I don't use a lift bag in my diving.
FTP on that rig is $555 - so you're doing well. I ended up paying about $470 for my rig with 3 day delivery for my trip last weekend off of eBay. You're right there.
enjoy.
K
If you want extra, ditchable weight, you'll need a weight belt or ACB.
The pad / storage pack is overrated IMHO. I'm taking the rig for a spin this Monday without it. If it OK, the "pad" will be sold to someone else as I don't use a lift bag in my diving.
FTP on that rig is $555 - so you're doing well. I ended up paying about $470 for my rig with 3 day delivery for my trip last weekend off of eBay. You're right there.
enjoy.
K
wb416
Contributor
Do a quick tally of the individual prices
Approx:
36# Wing $340
storage pak $65
Backplate/harness $145 (assuming aluminum otherwise $190)
Total $550 ($595 Stainless)
Even with 50 dives you're still okay....
wb416
Contributor
No sense rushing that decision to get rid of it. Someday you may use a lift bag. Doesn't cost anything to have it around for your buddy to try.
I've dove the plate(s) allot without the pad. Couldn't tell the difference.
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