Novice diver, tried Backplate and wing and looking for recommendations

[FishWatcher747]

The dangerous bungee wing issue relates to days long past where an enormous wing had bungees going over the wing. These bungees could trap air where one doesn't want it and could be an entrapment issue.

The HOG wing has bungees on the plate side of the wing and are not exposed for entrapment issues and do not trap air.

Regardless, I have had the HOG 32 pound wing for about 4 years. The bungees are easily removed and you don't need to have them on the wing if you prefer not to.

I took the bungees off but I don't have a strong opinion whether they should be left on or taken off.

As someone else said on a wing that small the taco effect is very small.

 

[ABLAB]

That's really good to know. You happy with the HOG? Any quirks to be aware of? Any reason you took the bungee off?

 

[FishWatcher747]

That's really good to know. You happy with the HOG? Any quirks to be aware of? Any reason you took the bungee off?

Very happy. I like the websites videos about how to set up the gear. I suspect the DGX is also good but have never tried any other BPW. I took the shoulder padding off which is easy to do and I didn't need it. In your first few years of owning a BPW one is moving D rings around and utility pockets and weight pockets and such.

You can also move the wing to 3 positions on the plate to alter buoyancy distribution. I am foot heavy and moved the wing to the lower position shifting the buoyancy down which helped my trim as well as putting the weights in the upper cam band weight pockets. Just an example of what you can do to dial in a BPW.

It is a very customizable system and you can adjust it to fit just you.

If you look at my Avatar you will see the wing. Also a 19 cu Pony.

 

[joalemma]

For @joalemma, your idea of getting in the pool first is a good one. Great way to suss out new gear. My understanding of the original use/purpose of an STA was so that people who dive doubles a lot, can more easily switch over to a single tank set up without needing to disassemble their rig. You can just pop on the STA with cam straps already threaded and are ready to go. Having used a variety of tank types with and without an STA, I find that running the cam straps directly through my backplate keeps the tank more stable as others have mentioned.

As far as disassembling the gear, as others have pointed out, it's not needed and my set up fits in my luggage without taking it all apart. I do that because I like how it all fits in my bag better when it's taken apart. The wing folds up smaller than a hoodie. It takes me less than 10 mins to assemble once at my destination.

There is so much information and so many options that it's easy to get "muddled up" and over think what the "perfect" setup for me may be, that I feel I need to "dumb it down" to avoid paralysis of the brain! Thinking I need a heavier plate to avoid carrying a lot of weight, easy weight pockets, a wing that is not too much but enough to get me and someone else out of trouble if need be, overall a rig for novice, warm water, more shallow than most of "you guys" go (well, you "go" through the shallow on your way deeper) diving.

I know I thoroughly enjoyed diving with a wing and backplate so much so that I really don't care to use a vest again. I think I am going to order a wing and backplate, vs getting the Hollis, as it seems that may give me more flexibility. Hopefully I can have it delivered in the next couple of weeks so that I can take it with me to Curacao, where I can then take a buoyance class with the set up. Thinking I may also pay a very helpful employee at the local dive shop to assist with the set up, just to "make sure" I've got it right.

 

[joalemma]

The STA adds some weight, but I have found that I prefer to run the cam bands directly through my backplate. I like how the tank sits closer to my body and the tank, particularly a steel tank, feels more stable. If traveling weight is a concern, not having an STA reduces that weight in your luggage. If you go without an STA, you'll remove the cam bands when you pack. Just practice threading the cam bands a couple of times, especially the part about running them through the buckles properly. Pretty easy once you get it, but it's not super intuitive at first.

Edit: There's lots of great input on here and you may feel as if now you have too much info and seriously don't know what to do. The great thing about a BP&W set up is that it's modular. You can make adjustments, additions, and subtractions quite easily even between dives.

Yes, my mind is swimming!

Thinking a DGX stainless plate, 30# wing, 2 cam bands, HOG quick drop weight pockets, and harness?

 

[Nemrod]

Yes, my mind is swimming!

Thinking a DGX stainless plate, 30# wing, 2 cam bands, HOG quick drop weight pockets, and harness?

I have been seeking the absolute perfect, minimal kit for, oh, let's see, maybe 56 years. I am getting close. I have just spent 4 hours pulling my hair out fighting with my last VDH 18 wing, Oxy soft plate and basic Hog harness. It is a fight getting it all just so.

The point is that I doubt you will hit perfection on your first try. You will eventually want to change something. Inevitably, at first I like something and think this is it, at long last and then I start futzing with it trying to do it better. It may never end.

For warm water I like cam band trim pockets and weight integrated pockets with some of the weight easily ditchable and 18-22 pounds of lift. For temperate water I use cam band trim pockets but still use a weight belt and 30 to 34 pounds of lift. Less is more. Simpler is better than complicated. Study how a Hog rig is put together, the devil is in the details. Cold water, uh, why do I want to get into cold water again, remind me ?

 

[ABLAB]

Very happy. I like the websites videos about how to set up the gear. I suspect the DGX is also good but have never tried any other BPW. I took the shoulder padding off which is easy to do and I didn't need it. In your first few years of owning a BPW one is moving D rings around and utility pockets and weight pockets and such.

You can also move the wing to 3 positions on the plate to alter buoyancy distribution. I am foot heavy and moved the wing to the lower position shifting the buoyancy down which helped my trim as well as putting the weights in the upper cam band weight pockets. Just an example of what you can do to dial in a BPW.

It is a very customizable system and you can adjust it to fit just you.

If you look at my Avatar you will see the wing. Also a 19 cu Pony.

Thx much for the detailed info. Super helpful. Good to know it's so versatile.

 

[FreqFlier]

For warm water I like cam band trim pockets and weight integrated pockets with some of the weight easily ditchable and 18-22 pounds of lift.

+1

what the "perfect" setup for me may be

No such thing exists. It all depends on many many factors, eventually you'll get there after some trial-n-errors

 

[joalemma]

+1
True. I’m not looking for “ perfect”; that changes regularly. I’m just looking for something I like and, after checking out prices and reading lots of reviews, there are as many different opinions as to that unicorn as there are options. Since I liked the Hollis, a LOT more than a vest, and it’s readily available, I’ll pay the premium to support the local shop and utilize their guidance and continued support of the product.

 

[Dan G]

Yes, my mind is swimming!

Thinking a DGX stainless plate, 30# wing, 2 cam bands, HOG quick drop weight pockets, and harness?

Good start. Gotta start somewhere and then figure it out from there.