Pre-Assembled BP/W ?

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ronscuba

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Curious, if BP/W manufacturers considered offering their BP/W pre-assembled in 3 sizes with adjustable harness, adjustable crotch strap, weight pockets, accessory pockets all pre-assembled as options. Pre-assembly could be done by the mfr or the vendor selling for an additional price.

The 3 sizes would have pre-cut and sealed webbing. With the adjustable harness and crotch strap, getting a good fit should be possible without having to cut the webbing again.

If the manufacturer properly marketed this option, would this make a BP/W more attractive for the diver who only considered a standard jacket or back inflate BCD ? I think many divers prefer an off the rack BCD and do not want to bother with cutting and sealing webbing, assembling, etc..
 
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I know of 2 companies that do this already - Hollis HTS and Dive Rite Transpac off the top of my head. Besides those two which are specifically marketed as pre-assembled with size options, almost every pre-assembled harness can be adjusted up or down a full size once you buy it. Deep Outdoors, Sopras Sub, and Palantic all sell pre-assembled models (quick Ebay search) but they are not what I would call premium quality or attractive towards technical divers the way Hollis and Dive Rite are.

For those that are not a tech divers yet still like the back inflation and modularity of the harness, backplate, and wing combinations, there are many options to choose from.
 
I don't consider the Transpac a BP/W because the harness is sewn onto the soft backplate. IMHO, it is a modular back inflate BCD. It does not have the full modularity of a BP/W, but is close.

Curious how the Transpac sells vs the Transplate harness and BP. Given the 2 options, Diverite probably feels a pre-assembled Transplate is not worth the effort ?

So much lively debate on BP/W vs. off the rack BCD. I think the full modular nature that so many of us BP/W owners love, is a negative for some because it has a DIY amateur vibe vs a fully factory assembled and manufactured BCD.
 
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A former shop I worked at offered an Oxycheq package in 3 sizes and corresponding colors, we also used them as our student/rental fleets. S/M, L/XL, XXL.
 
A former shop I worked at offered an Oxycheq package in 3 sizes and corresponding colors, we also used them as our student/rental fleets. S/M, L/XL, XXL.

Was it pre-assembled ? Did it sell well ?
 
Part of getting into Tech is developing a certain 'intimacy' with your gear. If you want a back plate with none of the hassles go with one of the hybrids like Zeagle's Express Tech.
 
Was it pre-assembled ? Did it sell well ?
Yes, pre assembled and sold well. We used popular colors, blue/red/black. Although we did offer custom colors for an upcharge, most were happy with the prepackaged rigs.
 
Curious, if BP/W manufacturers considered offering their BP/W pre-assembled in 3 sizes with adjustable harness, adjustable crotch strap, weight pockets, accessory pockets all pre-assembled as options. Pre-assembly could be done by the mfr or the vendor selling for an additional price.

The 3 sizes would have pre-cut and sealed webbing. With the adjustable harness and crotch strap, getting a good fit should be possible without having to cut the webbing again.

If the manufacturer properly marketed this option, would this make a BP/W more attractive for the diver who only considered a standard jacket or back inflate BCD ? I think many divers prefer an off the rack BCD and do not want to bother with cutting and sealing webbing, assembling, etc..
Here is one I am looking at buying:
http://www.xdeep.eu/lightweight-traveler-scuba-bcd-ghost-bc-system-pr-51.html
Also looking at Zeagle Express Tech
 
Part of getting into Tech is developing a certain 'intimacy' with your gear. If you want a back plate with none of the hassles go with one of the hybrids like Zeagle's Express Tech.
I dive recreational only, no interest in Tech, but I do use a BP/W and 1 piece harness. I am a DIY type and like to tinker with my gear in all my hobbies, not just scuba.

So many recreational only divers asking about BCD get strongly driven towards BP/W by scubaboard members. I like your suggestion of going hybrid or purchasing from a shop that will pre-assemble for those who are hesitant about assembling themselves and have no desire to go Tech.
 
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