Question about OMS IQ backplate and bladder

[tricoti]

Does anyone have have any opinions on an OMS IQ backplate, with an OMS bladder? It is a 60# lift wing with a steel backplate. I know someone who is moving on to a rebreather system and doesn't need it anymore and has it for sale. Everything is in exceptional shape and 2 years old. Used on 17 dives total, with some in the Dominican Republic and some on NY wrecks. 1/2 of my diving is in the NY/NJ area on some wrecks and the other 1/2 (more like 2/3) is in the Caribbean. I have 80 dives in mostly warm water and want to do more around NY/NJ. I currently have a super old Zeagle Ranger, that I love, but it's always been a bit small for me, and this is a really great deal so I don't want to let it go.

So....

1.) Is 60# overkill, and/or will that affect me and is it right for the system?
2.) Is the weighting on the system difficult, and will I only use a weight belt, or does it go in the pouches or attach the harness elsewhere?
3.) In your opinion, are the OMS IQ reputable and will it be right for what I want to do (i.e. some coldwater wrecks in the summer in NY, but mostly Caribbean)
4.) It is size XL bp and I'm 6'4" 192lbs. Is it probably the right size for me? He is 6'3" 220lbs and its perfect for him and me too.
5.) How is this system really different from a regular backplate and harness, like a Halcyon? What is the extra webbing/bc fabric for?

Thanks so much in advance to everyone! Answers to any of the questions would help.

 

[cool_hardware52]

Does anyone have have any opinions on an OMS IQ backplate, with an OMS bladder? It is a 60# lift wing with a steel backplate. I know someone who is moving on to a rebreather system and doesn't need it anymore and has it for sale. Everything is in exceptional shape and 2 years old. Used on 17 dives total, with some in the Dominican Republic and some on NY wrecks. 1/2 of my diving is in the NY/NJ area on some wrecks and the other 1/2 (more like 2/3) is in the Caribbean. I have 80 dives in mostly warm water and want to do more around NY/NJ. I currently have a super old Zeagle Ranger, that I love, but it's always been a bit small for me, and this is a really great deal so I don't want to let it go.

So....

1.) Is 60# overkill, and/or will that affect me and is it right for the system?

Required wing lift is a function of the buoyancy of your exposure suit, and in some cases the type and volume of the tank(s) you use.

For single tank diving I have never seen an application that requires more than 40 lbs of lift, and very few of these. Most single tank diving applications are easily met with wings of ~30 or less....

Cold water means thicker more buoyant suits.

Warm water means less buoyant suits. A 60 lbs lift wing is ~2-3x more lift than most need in warm water. If the majority of your diving is warm water you will find a 60 lbs wing + single tanks to be a chore to use.

Tobin

 

[tricoti]

Thanks Tobin. I guess it's because he used a double steel tank configuration, that's why he needed the 60# lift???? Unsure on that.

 

[cool_hardware52]

Thanks Tobin. I guess it's because he used a double steel tank configuration, that's why he needed the 60# lift???? Unsure on that.

Doubles need different wings than singles, not just in terms of lift capacity, but shape.

Diving a single tank with a wing designed for doubles will negate many of the advantages of a BP&W.

Any BC needs to meet two criteria; Offer enough lift to float your rig at the surface with full tank(s) if you ditch it, and beable to compensate for the change in buoyancy of your exposure suit.

**This is just an example your specific application may differ.**

For your tropical application I will assume you are using a 3 mm suit and a single AL80 tank, and a SS backplate.

The max negative buoyancy of the rig will be about -10 lbs. A SS plate and harness is about -6 lbs a reg is about -2 lbs. and a full al 80 is about -2 lbs., total ~-10 lbs.

A 3 mm suit is usually between 4-6 lbs positive. Your exposure suit cannot loose more buoyancy than it starts with.

To float your rig you need a bit more than 10 lbs, to compensate for a fully compressed 3 mm suit you need a bit more than 6 lbs. 10 > 6. The smallest wings currently available are 17-18 lbs.

For cold water I'll assume you are using a 7mm suit, and HP 100 steel tank.

The rig will now be about -18, and your suit could be 22-24 lbs positive.

24 > 18, so you now need a wing in the 26 - 30 lbs range.

How negative would your rig have to be to need a 60 lbs wing?

How buoyant would your suit need to be to need a 60 lbs wing?

Tobin

 

[tricoti]

Thanks again Tobin.

I completely understand it all now. I ended up buying the equipment (SS backplate w/pad, OMS IQ harness, 60lb. single wing w/retraction bands and a single tank adapter (probably will never use it)) all brand-new condition (used couple times only) for $270. I think what I should do now is buy an OMS single bladder to use for tropical diving using single 80 cu ft alum, and the lowest lift OMS makes is the 32# lift. In your opinion, is that all I will need and a good idea?

Thank you so so so much again for all your help!

Chris

 

[cool_hardware52]

I think what I should do now is buy an OMS single bladder to use for tropical diving using single 80 cu ft alum, and the lowest lift OMS makes is the 32# lift. In your opinion, is that all I will need and a good idea?

That should work fine.

Tobin