Sanity check please - Chinese BP/W setup

[Barmaglot]

I'm looking for something cheap to replace my Cressi Travelight which met an untimely end courtesy of an... ignorant person. Got a liveaboard trip to Myanmar coming in a month - I could just rent a jacket, but perhaps it's time to transition to a BP/W setup. However, money is somewhat tight, as I'm about to replace my camera rig as well, so I'd rather not go the XDEEP/Halcyon/whatever route. I also have an inexplicable urge to get it bright canary yellow.

For what it's worth, I dive purely in the tropics, 3mm full wetsuit, always carrying a camera (but the camera rig is very close to neutral), about 10 pounds of lead.

Looking at Aliexpress, I've come up with this:

Backplate - 53.52€ 22% OFF|Aluminium Legierung Technik Tauchen Backplate Flügel BCD Ultraleicht backplane Für Scuba Tauchen Harness System Hardware Backmount|Pool und Zubehör| - AliExpress
Wing - Page Not Found - Aliexpress.com
Harness - 54.84€ 32% OFF|HALTEN TAUCHEN Scuba Tauchen Backplate Harness Set BCD Ultraleicht Backplane Zubehör Gabelung Strap Gewicht Gürtel Dive Zubehör|Pool und Zubehör| - AliExpress
Single tank adapter - 56.76€ 30% OFF|Aluminium Legierung Tauchen Einzigen Tank Adapter Set Für BCD Backplate Halter STA Scuba Tauchen Tank Halterung Ultraleicht Getriebe Ausrüstung|Pool und Zubehör| - AliExpress
Regulator holder - 5.62€ 30% OFF|Halten Sie Tauch schlauch halter Regler Messgerät Oktopus Halter & Clip für Unterwasser Tauchen Taucher bcd Zubehör| | - AliExpress

Am I missing anything for a full working system here? The harness system appears to be complete, the STA comes with bolts and tank bands, the wing doesn't have webbing slots, but with the STA I shouldn't need those, correct?

Is there a good way to add pockets to this? I typically carry a spare mask, DSMB, torch, hat (for sun protection on the surface) and a wet lens or two in my pockets, using both BCD pockets and tech shorts. Moving to this setup would leave me with just the thigh pockets.

Also, I'm pretty partial to using right shoulder dump to vent air from the BCD, and this wing appears to only have it only on the back left. How difficult, if at all possible, would it be to retrofit it with an additional dump valve?

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

For what it's worth, I dive purely in the tropics, 3mm full wetsuit, always carrying a camera (but the camera rig is very close to neutral), about 10 pounds of lead.

This is another option to consider. Hydro Lite BCD - Dive Rite

 

[Barmaglot]

This is another option to consider. Hydro Lite BCD - Dive Rite

Unfortunately this is about 2.5x more expensive here in Thailand (approximately $750) than the setup that I'm looking at.

 

[Scared Silly]

Given the source, on general principle I would look elsewhere. Cheap crap is just that cheap crap.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

unfortunately it's in Florida, and I'm currently based in Thailand

I'm sure someone from scubaboard can be your mule. I do it all the time.

 

[Oldbear]

I'm looking for something cheap to replace my Cressi Travelight which met an untimely end courtesy of an... ignorant person. Got a liveaboard trip to Myanmar coming in a month - I could just rent a jacket, but perhaps it's time to transition to a BP/W setup. However, money is somewhat tight, as I'm about to replace my camera rig as well, so I'd rather not go the XDEEP/Halcyon/whatever route. I also have an inexplicable urge to get it bright canary yellow.

For what it's worth, I dive purely in the tropics, 3mm full wetsuit, always carrying a camera (but the camera rig is very close to neutral), about 10 pounds of lead.

Looking at Aliexpress, I've come up with this:

Backplate - 53.52€ 22% OFF|Aluminium Legierung Technik Tauchen Backplate Flügel BCD Ultraleicht backplane Für Scuba Tauchen Harness System Hardware Backmount|Pool und Zubehör| - AliExpress
Wing - Page Not Found - Aliexpress.com
Harness - 54.84€ 32% OFF|HALTEN TAUCHEN Scuba Tauchen Backplate Harness Set BCD Ultraleicht Backplane Zubehör Gabelung Strap Gewicht Gürtel Dive Zubehör|Pool und Zubehör| - AliExpress
Single tank adapter - 56.76€ 30% OFF|Aluminium Legierung Tauchen Einzigen Tank Adapter Set Für BCD Backplate Halter STA Scuba Tauchen Tank Halterung Ultraleicht Getriebe Ausrüstung|Pool und Zubehör| - AliExpress
Regulator holder - 5.62€ 30% OFF|Halten Sie Tauch schlauch halter Regler Messgerät Oktopus Halter & Clip für Unterwasser Tauchen Taucher bcd Zubehör| | - AliExpress

Am I missing anything for a full working system here? The harness system appears to be complete, the STA comes with bolts and tank bands, the wing doesn't have webbing slots, but with the STA I shouldn't need those, correct?

Is there a good way to add pockets to this? I typically carry a spare mask, DSMB, torch, hat (for sun protection on the surface) and a wet lens or two in my pockets, using both BCD pockets and tech shorts. Moving to this setup would leave me with just the thigh pockets.

Also, I'm pretty partial to using right shoulder dump to vent air from the BCD, and this wing appears to only have it only on the back left. How difficult, if at all possible, would it be to retrofit it with an additional dump valve?

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative currently lists AliExpress as one of the top global sources of counterfeit products, so if you buy from AliExpress, you always run the risk of receiving fake items from unscrupulous sellers.
Sorce Seurity.Org

These Chinese companies are flooding the market with cheap products…they make their money by selling your personal data, or just give it to the Chinese Govt.

 

[happy-diver]

inexplicable urge

You have the makings from your selection of a colourfully magnificent work of art tank to body system

Considering also, I have at least four Ali wings, heaps of other dive gear, and heaps of other gear not related numbering in the dozens and dozens of stuff, valued in at least a few thousand dollars avidly collecting more

I could live at Ali, sit in the middle of the room thowing blithely stuff in the air, even if lands on my head


I counterfitted this BUM, Breathing Underwater Machine in my laundry with a spanner and some glue

and that harness with the Ali wing on the back I happened to counterfit in my sewing room

Wouldn't it be hilariously funny if I had counterfitted the Ali wing in my sewing room as well


Unless I have some in stock these dumps I always put on my Ali wings are good

Dive Rite Remote Exhaust Elbow

Dive Rite Remote Exhaust Elbow with Nut and Pull Cable in three lengths.

www.divegearexpress.com

Seems Chinese made stuff was-is more accepted when being distributed, and sold by local companies
but with them keeping the savings

 

[Scott G. Bonser]

I'm looking for something cheap to replace my Cressi Travelight which met an untimely end courtesy of an... ignorant person. Got a liveaboard trip to Myanmar coming in a month - I could just rent a jacket, but perhaps it's time to transition to a BP/W setup. However, money is somewhat tight, as I'm about to replace my camera rig as well, so I'd rather not go the XDEEP/Halcyon/whatever route. I also have an inexplicable urge to get it bright canary yellow.

For what it's worth, I dive purely in the tropics, 3mm full wetsuit, always carrying a camera (but the camera rig is very close to neutral), about 10 pounds of lead.

Looking at Aliexpress, I've come up with this:

Backplate - 53.52€ 22% OFF|Aluminium Legierung Technik Tauchen Backplate Flügel BCD Ultraleicht backplane Für Scuba Tauchen Harness System Hardware Backmount|Pool und Zubehör| - AliExpress
Wing - Page Not Found - Aliexpress.com
Harness - 54.84€ 32% OFF|HALTEN TAUCHEN Scuba Tauchen Backplate Harness Set BCD Ultraleicht Backplane Zubehör Gabelung Strap Gewicht Gürtel Dive Zubehör|Pool und Zubehör| - AliExpress
Single tank adapter - 56.76€ 30% OFF|Aluminium Legierung Tauchen Einzigen Tank Adapter Set Für BCD Backplate Halter STA Scuba Tauchen Tank Halterung Ultraleicht Getriebe Ausrüstung|Pool und Zubehör| - AliExpress
Regulator holder - 5.62€ 30% OFF|Halten Sie Tauch schlauch halter Regler Messgerät Oktopus Halter & Clip für Unterwasser Tauchen Taucher bcd Zubehör| | - AliExpress

Am I missing anything for a full working system here? The harness system appears to be complete, the STA comes with bolts and tank bands, the wing doesn't have webbing slots, but with the STA I shouldn't need those, correct?

Is there a good way to add pockets to this? I typically carry a spare mask, DSMB, torch, hat (for sun protection on the surface) and a wet lens or two in my pockets, using both BCD pockets and tech shorts. Moving to this setup would leave me with just the thigh pockets.

Also, I'm pretty partial to using right shoulder dump to vent air from the BCD, and this wing appears to only have it only on the back left. How difficult, if at all possible, would it be to retrofit it with an additional dump valve?

I believe that I know what you may want. I am getting a custom setup by Jerrie Struble of DiverDownDHR out of Sylvania, OH, USA. He may be able to help answer any questions you may have with your setup. It’s worth a try…

 

[justinthedeeps]

If you can find decent suitable looking stuff off AliExpress or Lazada etc on a reasonable time frame with reliable delivery, then go for it.

You're already in Asia, and the main components are actually super simple items to manufacture (wing, plate, harness etc). You definitely don't need to pay some Western Brand to put a logo on it for an extra $500+.

I know people using some of this stuff and it's fine.

I would try out the Chinese carbon backplate in a heartbeat, if I hadn't already bought a Halcyogucci one

 

[runsongas]

@Oldbear nothing to counterfeit for generic products, we aren't talking fake watches/handbags here. and why bother with aliexpress when you just go downtown and buy those off the street in pretty much any major city?

and the prices are cheap because the quality control is sus, but cutting the multiple layers of middlemen/markup is the bigger reason.

 

[Kendall Raine]

@Oldbear nothing to counterfeit for generic products, we aren't talking fake watches/handbags here. and why bother with aliexpress when you just go downtown and buy those off the street in pretty much any major city?

and the prices are cheap because the quality control is sus, but cutting the multiple layers of middlemen/markup is the bigger reason.

Exactly. What do you call a counterfeit of a knock-off? A counterfeit knockoff?