Pacific Coast Marine BP/W

[kazuo]

Hi everyone I was am looking for some advice on new BC. I currently have an old (very old) jacket type BC that I got second hand at the begining of my diving life and I am looking to replace it. At first I was thinking that I would go with a standard back inflate BC but after looking around I am now thinking of going with a back plate/wing setup. I really don't like how my tank drifts all over the place it looks like a bp/w holds everything in nice and tight, is this correct? All I am doing is single tank dives with rental tanks, typically aluminum 80s and after looking around the web and especialy here I think I like the Pacific Coast Marine bp/w setup is the one for me.

Does anyone have any experiance with this bp/w? What are the pros/cons between this and a standard back inflate BC. I am strictly a recreational diver who does maybe 10 or so dives a year and because I live in Alberta I have to fly to do most of my diving. Will this pack nicely and not be too heavy? Or should I go with an aluminum bp? Any thoughts on buying some itergrated weight pockets or should stick with a weight belt?

I know thats a lot of questions and everyone will have a different opinion but thats what I want. Lots of info so I can make a some what informed decision.

 

[Nemrod]

I am now using the Freedom Plate which is I assume what your asking about?

I like it alot but I just got the the plate and only a few weeks a Mach V wing so I have only used this combination a few times. I like the way it looks and works. It is comfortable and makes a minimal but capable package.

I am also using a Hammerhead plate with the same wing (Mach V), previousy it was on a older SeaTec wing. I think plates like the Hammerhead or any other type of full size plate are possbile overkill for single tank diving. The Freedom Plate has a lot of potential for single tank divers. I added a DiveRite one inch crotch strap to my Freedom Plate. I would have made my own but I was out of material so I just ordered one.

N

 

[kazuo]

Thanks I agree with a full back plate being too much for me. I will never ever dive doubles. Does it pack up nice for travel?

 

[xwhitesmokex]

i believe one of the benefits of having a bp/w on single is not carrying or having minimal weight to carry.

freedom plate has a slick design, but it seems contoured to specific body type.

my $.02

 

[ecudiver]

i love my bp/w. i have an oms system with stainless steel bp. after i got everything setup i had 9lbs on my bp/w which is very nice being i dont have to wear much weight around my belt anymore. your bouyancy becomes so much better with the setup and for a back inflation bc is now coming close to the same price as a bp/w. for around 100 bucks more you can have tech gear in case you get into tech diving and if not you get its other pluses. my vote bp/w good luck with your search and choosing

 

[scubajunkee]

I have the Freedom backplate and have been diving it for a few months now. I dive it with the Oxycheq 30lb Signature wing with a HP120 tank. I absolutely love the fit. The bottom is curved to rest right on my back and the top of the plate rests right in the middle on my shoulder blades. It also has a built-in tank rest that keeps the tank from wobbling around. The tank rest is hidden behind the wing so it's hard to see from the pictures of the website.

It's much more comfortable than my previous backplate, by Halcyon.

I normally dive in California waters with a drysuit with the backplate and have no complaints. I recently just got back from Hawaii and the plate packs nicely in my dive bag. I have other dive buddies in my club that have converted to the Freedom plate, I'm sure they'll pipe in with their comments.

- Ericson

 

[renpirate]

I have been diving the Freedom Plate for over a year now and absolutely love it. It fits snugger to my body than any other plate that I have tried. People who are especially large around the middle may need to have the sides bent out a bit, but Eric can do that easily upon request.

If you only plan on doing single tank diving, then this is an excellent plate. It doesn't sound like you are interested in tech diving, so that shouldn't be an issue. If you do decide on that, an extra $100 to buy a new plate will be the LEAST expensive issue.

 

[kazuo]

thanks guys!!

 

[Peter_C]

Hey wait! One more here that dives the Freedom Plate I have been very happy with it, after coming from a very nice Scubapro Knighthawk BC that I still own, but am getting rid of. I also use an Oxycheq Signature 30lb wing. The plate is very comfortable, and stays glued to my back. The tank is held super close to your back. He has a new plate that is made for the Mach V wing also, which is what Nemrod is diving. If you want more info, just call Eric, as he is not on the internet much, but will return every phone call. http://pacificcoastmarine.net/

As to the weight belt, that is what most of us use. I personally prefer it when hiking, because it takes weight off my shoulders, but it sounds like you are more of a boat diver. Since I dive dry around here, I also have a wedge weight installed on mine to cut 4 pounds off my weight belt.

We set up my 2" crotch strap for the first time last weekend. Either way is fine. I plan to leave it on for awhile. Over the weekend we did don and doff drills on the surface with no problems. The harness is easily adjustable for changing attire.

 

[Nemrod]

While the Freedom Plate is contoured it is still a relatively universal fit. I have let several people of various shapes and sizes try it on and it appears to fit a wide variety of people very well. N