Sik_Z33
Contributor
My Background
Like most new divers on this website I began my diving career in a traditional jacket bcd similar to the one I was loaned in my ow classes. The BCD I was using was a Seaquest pro qd with integrated weight pockets and a surrounding air bladder. I used the jacket for about 5-6 months and logged about 20+ dives in it. It served it's purpose but I found the inflation jacket to be clumsy underwater and constricting right from the beginning. I quickly made the transition to a back-inflation bc in the form of a Dive Rite transpac system with a venture lift wing and a travel wing. It was and still is a great rig and provides everything I need and require from my BC (stability, and free range of motion underwater). My only gripe with it was even with my steel tank I still needed to carry extra lead and I could do without all the extra padding. I was happy and content with the transpac because I didn't feel like shelling out another $500 for a bp/w setup until I came across the DRIS 28 lb BP/W system.
I ordered my bp/w system from Debbie at DRIS last week and received it 4 days later. The package comes complete with everything you need to get started. The wing looks just as solid as my Dive rite wings did so I'm anxious to see how well it holds up! I average about 1-2 dives a month so at that rate I can see this lasting a very long time, at $299 for the whole package I can't imagine a more affordable bp/w system. It comes with 3 flat d rings but I opted to use 2 bent D rings at the shoulder position that I already had. The only other things I added were a Z knife and a sheath mounted dive knife. The whole rig is super compact, the SS plate paired with my steel hp 80 and has eliminated my need to carry any extra weight even with my 3 mil wet suit on.
On to the pictures:
I made the inflation hose keeper from an old dive glove strap.
The wing itself is about 1" longer than my short HP 80 tank so avoiding a pinch flat is probably the biggest thing I need to watch. I had the same issue with my last wing and was always able to avoid any problems by setting the wing down first infront of the tank or just laying the whole thing down. So far I've done one pool dive and one beach dive and it performed flawlessly. Even with all my weight over my lungs it was very easy to trim out properly and everything felt very balanced. My transpac had great stability and kept the tank stuck to my back but the hard plate does that even better and really is completely comfortable in and out the water. I originally planned on keeping both but at this point I can't see any reason to go back to the transpac. I'll let you guys know how the wing holds up in the future, it does include a life time warranty if any issues do arise and from the service I received while ordering from DRIS I don't expect to have any problems.
Like most new divers on this website I began my diving career in a traditional jacket bcd similar to the one I was loaned in my ow classes. The BCD I was using was a Seaquest pro qd with integrated weight pockets and a surrounding air bladder. I used the jacket for about 5-6 months and logged about 20+ dives in it. It served it's purpose but I found the inflation jacket to be clumsy underwater and constricting right from the beginning. I quickly made the transition to a back-inflation bc in the form of a Dive Rite transpac system with a venture lift wing and a travel wing. It was and still is a great rig and provides everything I need and require from my BC (stability, and free range of motion underwater). My only gripe with it was even with my steel tank I still needed to carry extra lead and I could do without all the extra padding. I was happy and content with the transpac because I didn't feel like shelling out another $500 for a bp/w setup until I came across the DRIS 28 lb BP/W system.
I ordered my bp/w system from Debbie at DRIS last week and received it 4 days later. The package comes complete with everything you need to get started. The wing looks just as solid as my Dive rite wings did so I'm anxious to see how well it holds up! I average about 1-2 dives a month so at that rate I can see this lasting a very long time, at $299 for the whole package I can't imagine a more affordable bp/w system. It comes with 3 flat d rings but I opted to use 2 bent D rings at the shoulder position that I already had. The only other things I added were a Z knife and a sheath mounted dive knife. The whole rig is super compact, the SS plate paired with my steel hp 80 and has eliminated my need to carry any extra weight even with my 3 mil wet suit on.
On to the pictures:
I made the inflation hose keeper from an old dive glove strap.
The wing itself is about 1" longer than my short HP 80 tank so avoiding a pinch flat is probably the biggest thing I need to watch. I had the same issue with my last wing and was always able to avoid any problems by setting the wing down first infront of the tank or just laying the whole thing down. So far I've done one pool dive and one beach dive and it performed flawlessly. Even with all my weight over my lungs it was very easy to trim out properly and everything felt very balanced. My transpac had great stability and kept the tank stuck to my back but the hard plate does that even better and really is completely comfortable in and out the water. I originally planned on keeping both but at this point I can't see any reason to go back to the transpac. I'll let you guys know how the wing holds up in the future, it does include a life time warranty if any issues do arise and from the service I received while ordering from DRIS I don't expect to have any problems.
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