Opinions needed on BC&BP/W

[mjh]

The old Beauchat Tec BC is falling apart so starting to look around. Like many deciding between back inflate and BP/W. A few facts/stats….

+200 dives/yr/recreational; some minor wreck penetration;10-20 basic deco dives/yr; 65% solo dives; attach 19pony to main; avid photographer so need D-rings to attach stuff; 70% of dives cold water/drysuit, using 27lbs including ankle weights.

Wants: weight integration, need pockets that can handle 12lbs each; 3-4 D-rings; low profile. Not too cumbersome to pack on long international trips. Good performance without a crotch strap.

Looking at: Halycon Pioneer 36, Dive Rite Transpac, Zeagle Brigade, open to other suggestions. Any and all opinions welcome from anyone diving these set ups.

Thanks…

 

[DrSteve]

Looking at: Halycon Pioneer 36, Dive Rite Transpac, Zeagle Brigade, open to other suggestions. Any and all opinions welcome from anyone diving these set ups.

Thanks…

I've just purchased a DiveRite SS BP and Trek wing (40lb). I think it is great. With my shorty wet suit on (aka tropical gear) I still need an extra 2-4lbs for perfect buoyancy, so I am fine with just a SS plate. The so-called delux harness has 2 large D rings and 2 small D rings on the shoulder straps. If you want to add more...you can buy the D ring for about $2 and a retainer (?) for about $2. You can get weight pockets if you want...but I prefer to use a weight belt. Also I have heard good things about the Oxycheq wings...

 

[jonnythan]

I've been diving the Pioneer 36 for a couple of years now. Fantastic.

 

[kazinvan]

Great news, I just got a Pioneer 36 and I'm just waiting for my hammerhead plate to show up so I can get everything in the water.

 

[Hop Devil]

I like the Hammerhead Stainless backplate with Heavy Single Tank, Adapter.
That would take 12-13 lbs off your belt. You could then use the Dive Rite ditchable pockets for the balance of your weight or throw a tank weight or V wieght on the plate. I like the Dive Rite wings and pouches, not wild about their plates. I also like the xs weight pouches which should hold enough when you transfer your weight to the plate. Lots of good equipment out there, don't be shy about mixing and matching I think you get the best of both worlds by cherry picking your gear. Its a great journey have fun with it.

 

[BIGSAGE136]

I just purchased a Dive Rite SS backplate with the Transpac Harness, and I am quite pleased. Before I made the decision I had them show me the plate. They are now "polished" and noticably deburred. Only one word on the Transplate.

SWEET!

I have the venture wing and the #16 weight pockets. Nice rig. The weight is exactly where I want it. On my back. The trim is fantastic.

Whatever you decide back inflate is the way to go.

Safe diving.

 

[topflowerrubberforever]

Why not go for an eclipse instead? It has an armoured shell on the outside..That would protect the bladder..

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Wants: weight integration, need pockets that can handle 12lbs each; 3-4 D-rings; low profile. Not too cumbersome to pack on long international trips. Good performance without a crotch strap.

Looking at: Halycon Pioneer 36, Dive Rite Transpac, Zeagle Brigade, open to other suggestions. Any and all opinions welcome from anyone diving these set ups.

Thanks…

Well, the Dive Rite Transpac II or TransPlate systems come to mind immediately ... mainly because you want weight integration and their weight pocket systems are sufficient to your needs (besides, it's a pretty nice rig). To my concern, there are better wings on the market, but the DR wings will suffice for almost any recreational diving activities.

Another system that may be worth looking at is the Oxycheq A-Pac ... http://oxycheq.com/A-Pac.html ... which is similar to the Transpac II. You can mate it with any Oxycheq wing (or probably anybody else's wing, but I really like the Oxycheq wings) for a very nice rig.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[abitton]

I agree. I just got my TransPlate and harness saturday, It is VERY nice... Now if the weather could only cooperate...

It's a very cool piece of kit...

Alex

I just purchased a Dive Rite SS backplate with the Transpac Harness, and I am quite pleased. Before I made the decision I had them show me the plate. They are now "polished" and noticably deburred. Only one word on the Transplate.

SWEET!

I have the venture wing and the #16 weight pockets. Nice rig. The weight is exactly where I want it. On my back. The trim is fantastic.

Whatever you decide back inflate is the way to go.

Safe diving.

 

[kidspot]

+200 dives/yr/recreational; some minor wreck penetration;10-20 basic deco dives/yr; 65% solo dives; attach 19pony to main; avid photographer so need D-rings to attach stuff; 70% of dives cold water/drysuit, using 27lbs including ankle weights.

Most any BP/W rig you can add/remove D-Rings to your hearts content - so that should not be a problem.

+Wants: weight integration, need pockets that can handle 12lbs each; 3-4 D-rings; low profile. Not too cumbersome to pack on long international trips. Good performance without a crotch strap.

Integrated weights can be achieved with the ACB system from Halcyon or the DiveRite Weight pockets, OMS probably makes something similar... You can also use X-Scuba's Trim pouches on the 2" webbing - add or remove as many as you need and only about $10 http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/XSSTWBK.html.

Packing a BP/W is very easy - the whole package folds down to just a few inches thickl. And if you have an extra plate in aluminum (I picked one up for about $35 on sale) you also have a lot less weight.

From what I've been told getting rid of the crotchstrap will decrease your stability, but it is possible on just about any rig ... might be worth trying with it as well to see if there are any trade-offs for you. I have only been diving with it and have not tried taking it off yet, so I can't comment on it's necessity (though I like how it moves the waist belt away from my diaphram for breathing).

+Looking at: Halycon Pioneer 36, Dive Rite Transpac, Zeagle Brigade, open to other suggestions. Any and all opinions welcome from anyone diving these set ups...

I use a BP with the smaller Pioneer 27# and the DiveRite 30# venture wing - both are quite nice, but I greatly prefer the Pioneer's inflator mechanism (probably 1/2 the speed of the D.R.)

I don't have anywhere near your experience (or many of the others who have posted) but maybe one more opinion will help out in your decision...

Aloha, Tim