Question RE: Non-Technical BP/W Setup

[j_c_a]

Greeting all,

I currently dive a Ranger and while I appreciate its quality, I'm really starting to get tired of all the "crap" on my chest and around my waist, ie multiple buckles, cumberbun, etc. I've been giving some very serious thought to a BP/W setup to clean up my rig.

Now here's my question. I'm a warm-water, single-tank diver and I've no desire to go tech, and I doubt that I'll ever dive doubles. As I said my main objective is to get rid of the clutter. So, is there any reason, besides pissing off the DIR gods , that you couldn't dive standard-length reg/octo hoses? Also, I have a Cobra that I usually clip off on my left chest D-ring. Any problems w/ that? I actually think the long hose is a good idea and may eventually go that route, but for the moment, I'm planning to stick w/ the standard hoses.

Also, one more question, considering that I currently use 12 lbs, w/ my ranger and a 3mm, do you think I'd be better off w/ a SS or aluminum BP? I know SS BP's typically weigh around 6 lbs, but I'm guessing that the Ranger also adds to my weight requirements and I don't want to be overweighted in a BP/W.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Regards,
jc

 

[El Orans]

Have a look at the Hogarthian forum.

Laurens

 

[Uncle Pug]

I recently did some warm water diving with a 3 mil and I used a SS backplate and still used a weightbelt with an AL80 tank. I would suggest going with the SS.

As for hose lengths... if you want to stream line then bungee your backup and go with a 40" primary second stage hose brought up under your right arm. clip your Cobra off on the left hip D-ring.

 

[The Kraken]

There's no reason on this earth why you can't use a BP/wing setup with standard length regulator hoses.

You can even remove your bladder from your Ranger and attach it to your backplate until such time you elect to purchase a proprietery singles wing.

Personally, I'd go with the stainless steel.

 

[OE2X]

Just FYI - when I went from my Ranger to my BP&W I got rid of 10 #'s of weight. I dive cold water in a drysuit, so your results may vary.

There is no reason not to go the reg system you are used to. As long as it works for you and your buddy then don't let anyone criticize you for your configuration.

I'm not sure I would agree with Kraken on just putting your Ranger wing on a BP. If you look at the attachment method it is pretty cheesey. I'd dump the whole thing (wait a minute I did) and get a real wing and BP.

 

[Uncle Pug]

I wouldn't say, "dump", but I would advise selling the complete Ranger on ebay. They seem to fetch a decent price but certianly not as parts and pieces.

 

[OneBrightGator]

You can use any sort of reg setup with a BP/wing, but I would second UP's recommendations

I recently did some warm water diving with a 3 mil and I used a SS backplate and still used a weightbelt with an AL80 tank. I would suggest going with the SS.

As for hose lengths... if you want to stream line then bungee your backup and go with a 40" primary second stage hose brought up under your right arm. clip your Cobra off on the left hip D-ring.

But he knows jack about soup!

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Yeah, I would get rid of the Ranger and get something like the Oxycheq Signature Series single-tank wing. You won't have any problem using a standard hose rigging system; this is one of the beauties of the bp/w system, you can pretty much use whatever you want on it.

 

[j_c_a]

Hey thanks everyone for the input. I didn't think there was a reason not to use standard length hoses, but I figured it would be better to ask before putting out any cash as you never know what you don't know

UnclePug, re: you still needing a weight belt w/ a 3mm and SS. If you don't mind, how much do you weigh and are you relatively lean? If that's too personal, please feel free to ignore the question, I'm just concerned that I'll be overweighted w/ a SS. I weigh around 165 lbs and I'm very lean and fairly heavily muscled, ie w/o a wetsuit, I sink I just want to make sure that a SS wouldn't overweight me.

 

[teknitroxdiver]

I'm not the Pug, but here's my $.02.

I sink like a brick without a wetsuit, I'm 6'1 and weigh about 148 or so, probably have Wearing a full 3mm and a 3mm Core Warmer and using an AL80, I use 10# in salt water. With a steel 95 in fresh water, I need zero weight. So a SS bp might not be great for me.

How much weight do you need in the environment you usually dive in?