Question on backplate

[Mark Vlahos]

I agree, Doc Intrepid's post is to the point. I use a stainless steel plate for single tanks, even when I travel. I use the DSS Kydex plate for doubles. It is about the application in the water, not out of it. The steel plate does add weight in my suitcase, and this is somthing I deal with, but in the water it puts weight under the tank and over my lungs where I need it, not down around my hips.

Personally I use the Jet Harness plate for singles. I find that it packs well and because of its completely flat shape it holds a single tank very well without the use of a single tank adapter. I have never had a problem with the tank rocking around. The tank is also right on my back so the bulk is close to my torso. The only problem with this is, the tank is so close that the regulator must be placed behind my neck, otherwise it will be hitting the back of my head during the dive. Fortunately for me this is exactly where the tank wants to be for me to trim horizontally, but if I forget and the tank ends up too high I will spend the dive with my head banging against the regulator.

You have lots of options so think and consider them all. I wish you luck.

Mark Vlahos

 

[SangP]

Hi guys,

Sorry to hijack this thread but I too have the feet down syndrome and I find even with light weights of about 8 lbs in weight pockets I still hover feet down. How else can I solve this issue? I use a Alu BP/W. I need to keep my gear light as possible due to travel reasons.

Cheers,
SangP

 

[Wijbrandus]

SangP,

I have the same problem. I'm still working on the issue, but a steel plate certainly helps. I originally tried out an aluminum plate, and my problem was way worse since I had to replace the weight on my belt.

My steel plate now goes everywhere. It's only an additional five pounds... Still working on solving the feet down problem though. A few suggestions I recieved was moving the tank lower in the bands, and putting some of my weight on the upper cam band. I haven't had a chance to test it out yet - for some reason we keep getting snow here and the water won't warm up for me.

 

[RTodd]

Hi guys,

Sorry to hijack this thread but I too have the feet down syndrome and I find even with light weights of about 8 lbs in weight pockets I still hover feet down. How else can I solve this issue? I use a Alu BP/W. I need to keep my gear light as possible due to travel reasons.

Cheers,
SangP

A stainless steel plate will correct your problem. After, that, and only after that, you can use trim weights on your tank bands. Suck it up on the extra few pounds of gear weight. Even if you pay for overweight bagagge, which just a stainless backplate should not cause, it is a tiny portion of the cost of a dive trip and proper trim is the difference between a bad dive and a great one. Any weight on your waist area is going to pull down your feet.

 

[JeffG]

Hi guys,

Sorry to hijack this thread but I too have the feet down syndrome and I find even with light weights of about 8 lbs in weight pockets I still hover feet down. How else can I solve this issue? I use a Alu BP/W. I need to keep my gear light as possible due to travel reasons.

Cheers,
SangP

When I use my AL BP, I put two trim weight pockets on the upper Cam band and put 2 lbs in each. Pretty much making have the same weight and characteristics as an SS plate.

 

[SangP]

Hi guys,

Many thanks for the replies and since I rather not have to spend a bunch just to test out a ss plate, I'll take JeffG's suggestion with a couple of weight pockets. If all else fails... a ss plate it is WAHHHHHH!!!

Thanks
SangP

 

[RTodd]

Hi guys,

Many thanks for the replies and since I rather not have to spend a bunch just to test out a ss plate, I'll take JeffG's suggestion with a couple of weight pockets. If all else fails... a ss plate it is WAHHHHHH!!!

Thanks
SangP

A SS plate would work much better for what you are trying to accomplish. Since you don't want to start out with the right way of solving this problem, I hope you waste money on the pockets and then switch to the stainless plate rather than just going with the half-baked pockets solution. I am not trying to give you grief, just save you money and time in the long run. I have spent thousands of dollars on the wrong crap myself trying to save a few bucks.

 

[SangP]

Hi RTodd,

Many thanks for your advice and I understand perfectly that the best solution is always the simpler one. Only problem here is that aren't any ss BP/W around LOL! Most of the shops only carry AL plates in Singapore. And sending a ss plate from overseas is going to be a very expensive alternative.

I may not even have to spend anything on weight pockets cus I can just strap a couple of weights onto the tanks for some pool tests and if it works resonably well then I can go get some pockets.

My need to keep my gear as light as possible is that I really need to travel a fair bit for any decent diving and a ss plate although not really a lot heavier, does push things a bit as I'll most likely be using budget airlines and the 25Kg limit is like running on fumes as it is with my other stuff.

Maybe I'll get lighter fins or something should I get a ss plate.

Best regards RTodd and guys.

SangP