Poll: I tried a BackPlate/Wing and...

[vladimir]

Ok in the vein of a couple of other recent posts/polls I have a question for those who have at least "tried" a Backplate and Wing rig. Primarily this is focussed at Single Tank Divers - most seem to agree that for doubles, weather you like it or not a BP/W is the way to go.

Did you like it and continue to use it (even if it took a few dives to get used to it)
Did not like it and went back to a Jacket or Back Inflate BC (I guess you could vote this way even if you kept using it, but then the question would be "why?")

Aloha, Tim

When I first came to Scubaboard a couple of years ago, I read posts by guys like Mike Ferrara and Uncle Pug, extolling the virtues of the BP/W--guys with years of experience, dozens of certs, and thousands of dives. I'd be foolish not to at least consider their expert opinion, which I did. I decided to stick with my jacket. Recently, however, I have had to question that decision. With Kidspot advocating the BP/W in post after poll after post, how can I not switch? This guy is well on his way to his 50th dive (and his 1000th post.) So you other holdouts take heed and sell your poodle jackets and split fins, and go get a backplate now.

 

[m7scuba]

I'm very new to the sport. I knew that I didn't want a jacket and was on a budget. I settled on the Triple-L Orion. I'm pretty happy with it and will post a review soon. I think that eventually I will move to a BP/W.

 

[StSomewhere]

I do have a question though - doesn't the BP/W get enough coverage on ScubaBoard without needing a poll every week? I don't mind the polls, but are the really necessary? If you let this poll go on for a week, you are going to get the same basic responses, from basically the same people, as the other polls that have been posted...

No one evangelizes like the newly converted.

 

[Vie]

Have only ever used a jacket style BC (rental, admittedly) for my first twenty or so dives—never liked it. Had the chance to try a Halcyon BP/MC System/Pioneer 27 wing recently (with a single AL80)—was surprised by how comfortable it was. I have not made the switch but plan to soon (for DIR-F) although my Scubapro S-Tek/TravTek wing (a Dive Rite rip-off by Scubapro) has served me well for the past five years. I thought that the Halcyon Pioneer wing was rather flimsy and have seen two with punctures and was looking at other brands but now Halcyon has introduced the tougher Eclipse 30/40.

 

[doole]

you need a "worked great the first time" option.

My view as well. It was like my shoulders had been bungied together for ten years and suddenly one day, somebody cut the bungee.

Never looked back. Never would have believed it either, if I hadn't tried it myself.

 

[kidspot]

I have tried both, and I prefer the BI BC. Not that there is anything wrong with a BP/W, but I simply prefer the BI BC. Unfortunately, there is no "I have used it, but prefer my weight integrated of jacket BC" option. Slanted poll?? Maybe.

I do have a question though - doesn't the BP/W get enough coverage on ScubaBoard without needing a poll every week? I don't mind the polls, but are the really necessary? If you let this poll go on for a week, you are going to get the same basic responses, from basically the same people, as the other polls that have been posted...

There is a large BP/W fan club here on ScubaBoard. If we all admit it and agree that we can all co-exsist on these forums, we can save a ton of server space for the people who own the site.

If you need to qualify, or justify, your BP/W, can't you wax poetic on every "What do you think of BC X" thread that is posted???

This is not against you personally, Tim, so please don't be offended, and I don't mean it nearly as negative as it may come off when reading. I am simply asking if it is really needed and helpful to the community...

I have almost deleted this post 10 times already, but I am gonna go ahead and throw this meat to the wolves...

Scott

Hey Scott,

It's cool - Actually I'm trying to answer some questions for myself that seem to arise on the board and these polls are one of the few ways I know of doing so - This one because I have often heard "everyone that tries one likes it" And I know that's not the case, so I was hoping to draw out those that disliked it (or as you put it preferred another style - I just wish now I had worded it that way...) to see how large a contingent had actually tried one and disliked it (or not preferred it) vs. those who had never tried one and "disliked it". I wish I could change it now to reflect "preference for another type" but too late I guess..

I'll run out of questions like this soon enough, so in the meantime just ignore them I guess

Aloha, Tim

P.S. Thanks for not deleting your post - It's the kind of opinion I'm actually looking into...

 

[kidspot]

When I first came to Scubaboard a couple of years ago, I read posts by guys like Mike Ferrara and Uncle Pug, extolling the virtues of the BP/W--guys with years of experience, dozens of certs, and thousands of dives. I'd be foolish not to at least consider their expert opinion, which I did. I decided to stick with my jacket. Recently, however, I have had to question that decision. With Kidspot advocating the BP/W in post after poll after post, how can I not switch? This guy is well on his way to his 50th dive (and his 1000th post.) So you other holdouts take heed and sell your poodle jackets and split fins, and go get a backplate now.

LOL - I actually agree with you wholeheartedly - I'm very new to the sport (and frequently say so) and just enjoy the time I get to spend here on the board asking questions and tossing in my .01 cents (I don't have .02 cents worth yet ) And if no one keeps me in check I'll "run-a-muck" lol

Aloha, Tim

 

[SeanQ]

I tried it, I loved it, now I am eagerly waiting for my Oxycheq to arrive.

Before I tried a backplate and wings I was ridiculed by squirels, dive boats would break down on the way out to the site and fish would laugh, heck, I couldn't even dive, I would giant stride and the water would bounce me back onboard.

The first time I tried a BP/wings my SAC rate improved and I could outrun an SS, after the dive another diver gave me his lunch he was so impressed, I got better gas mileage on the drive home even my girlfriend noticed a stronger, longer lasting experience. Oh, and the next day I solved the world hunger problem, captured Osama Bin Laden and found Jimmy Hoffa.

So you liked it, correct?

 

[Rick Inman]

Before I tried a backplate and wings I was ridiculed by squirels, dive boats would break down on the way out to the site and fish would laugh, heck, I couldn't even dive, I would giant stride and the water would bounce me back onboard.

The first time I tried a BP/wings my SAC rate improved and I could outrun an SS, after the dive another diver gave me his lunch he was so impressed, I got better gas mileage on the drive home even my girlfriend noticed a stronger, longer lasting experience. Oh, and the next day I solved the world hunger problem, captured Osama Bin Laden and found Jimmy Hoffa.

I think you're lying about Hoffa.

 

[hermosadive]

...Actually I'm trying to answer some questions for myself that seem to arise on the board and these polls are one of the few ways I know of doing so - This one because I have often heard "everyone that tries one likes it" And I know that's not the case, so I was hoping to draw out those that disliked it (or as you put it preferred another style - I just wish now I had worded it that way...) to see how large a contingent had actually tried one and disliked it (or not preferred it) vs. those who had never tried one and "disliked it". I wish I could change it now to reflect "preference for another type" but too late I guess....

And what did you hope to achive with this accumlation of data? You enjoy diving with your backplate. If enough people respond to the poll that they didn't like diving with a backplate where you going to switch back to a jacket BC?

To much talk on SB and not enough diving. You have 3 certs, go put them to use.