Smallest possible solution for travel?

[tbone1004]

Was about to say thank god he doesn't mention cheap, but there it was...
You need to define cheap man, also define small
Don't necessarily need a SS plate, it's just helpful... That being said weight pockets are gonna be tough to get that much weight, but to each his own.
Any backplate/wing harness will hold weight pockets, and they are all single tank compatible however the wing is what has to change... No way to do "very small" with doubles for ice diving...
That being said, you could just be referring to ice diving as really bloody cold, and all BC's are prone to freezing, the exhaust valves and what not are all prone to it.

Oxycheq Ultralite Travel Backplate [ROWB:-01-04UL] - $44.00 : Cave Adventurers!, We will NOT be undersold!!!
That will fit all of your requirements with a hog harness.
Oxycheq SS Travel Backplate [ROWB-01-04] - $136.00 : Cave Adventurers!, We will NOT be undersold!!!
That will as well, but it's a little less flexible due to metal vs fabric.

If you want a single tank, most backplates will do that, those two included, and
Oxycheq Mach V - Signature Series 18lb [ROW-08-18] - $272.00 : Cave Adventurers!, We will NOT be undersold!!!
that is a pretty stinkin small wing.

I have a Transpac that has been stripped of all the padding and what not that I use with an 18lb travel wing that is almost as small, but cheap isn't a word for any of these setups, wings are expensive...

I have successfully made a backpack adapter for my Nomad that uses sex bolts to attach the bag like a wing, and carries all of my cave gear, would work for any backplate as it's 11 inches on center, but it was a pain to sew together...

 

[Subcooled]

Some background: I have never used a wetsuit but only a drysuit as the local waters are cold. Give me a wetsuit and you'll have a good laugh as I don't even know how to put that thing on I have done (limited) ice diving, as it's the only option between november and may here.

My gear: I have been renting gear (tank+reg+bcd jacket) but I have started to dislike the big zippered pockets and loads of D-rings and straps, that only confuse me underwater. Locating a detached / lost hose (bcd/regulator/...) or attaching and accessing backup lights and even accessing drysuit pockets is difficult because I am so wrapped in.

I want something that lets me
1) travel light
2) adjust my trim (adjust straps once and then standardize tank height)
3) easily attach dual backup lights and a reel (in near future) without unnecessary clutter
4) dive a single tank with 20-30 lbs of lead depending on the amount of undergarments

#2 means that I would prefer my own adjusted harness over rented gear

I thought that some light and minimalistic back plate (not necessarily full size) and some easily foldable wing and a suitable single tank adapter might do. Then some kind of weight pockets attached to the hips. It would be adjusted and ready and quite simple...

If I would use wetsuits then I would take an ow sidemount class and get the Razor harness. It's almost pocketable, it seems but with a drysuit it might prove unhealthy because of trapped air.

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When I get dual (steel) tanks, then the amount of lead is dramatically reduced, and with a heavy backplate I could possibly do without any extra weight. Somehow the idea of droppable weights feels good, though. So BP/W + droppable weight system might be a good choice for now. Backplates are cheap to replace.

 

[DevonDiver]

Again... Oxycheq Mach V Extreme.

Have look... get back to us if it doesn't suit your purposes. That'll help identify your criteria more clearly.

 

[Subcooled]

I can't really see the point of the DUI weight system. All the weight is still at the hips. How could that system offload the weight to ones shoulders, when one is swimming horizontally after all? The DUI system just adds some unnecessary straps. Better to have slip on weight pockets on the waist belt of the backplate. Those pockets can even be fastened with bolts to the backplate. If the wing would have more lift around the hips rather than shoulders, then this might be quite balanced. Poseidon Besea weigh pockets might work. Just don't know yet the best wing. Will take a look at the Oxycheq...

 

[oneshotshooter]

I need something

- very light, very small, very minimalistic, very reliable
- with one bladder BCD (that works for ice diving as well - no freezing parts)
- with integrated/add-on weight pockets (never again a weight belt)
- single tank compatible

This should be a cheap and SMALL setup for travel, ice dives and cavern dives.

I would take it on a one month travel to Australia. Lots of carrying and traveling around, and my photo- and caving gear already take some place in my luggage. Hence I need something small.

I dive of a halcyon stainless steel Backplate and with a small wing that has approximately 30 pounds of lift. I have 4 weight pockets on my gator tank straps and add 20 pounds to them when I ice dive. I live in Minnesota and have logged 431 minutes under the ice this season. If you're going to be ice diving you will need a dry suit. I also take this with me when I travel south for warm blue water diving. I have logged well over 500 dives on this system. The only downside is when it goes over my dry suit it is a little snug. I am about ready to upgrade to the adjustable strap system. Whatever you do, make sure to get the stainless steel tank buckles. You'll be glad you did when you are ice diving

 

[Subcooled]

with doubles for ice diving...

I do my (entry level) ice diving with a single tank. Right now I'm happy with my 40m max penetration 25m max depth, and dive buddy. If my air supply fails, I just swim to the surface, or ask me to be pulled up, or use my buddys octo for a minute or two. I wouldn't go without doubles however, if I were relying on a reel under the ice, or going far away from the entry hole... The future cavern dives will be of limited penetration, too.

With small I mean that I don't want heavy steel plates.

The Oxycheq Ultralite Travel Backplate is quite interesting

The extreme wing looks good, but I could even take a cheaper one with less abrasion resistance.

 

[Subcooled]

The Oxycheq weight pockets are ridiculously small, though. 10 lbs each?

Anyway... it's an interesting solution.

 

[garyd54220]

I can't really see the point of the DUI weight system. All the weight is still at the hips. How could that system offload the weight to ones shoulders, when one is swimming horizontally after all? The DUI system just adds some unnecessary straps. Better to have slip on weight pockets on the waist belt of the backplate. Those pockets can even be fastened with bolts to the backplate. If the wing would have more lift around the hips rather than shoulders, then this might be quite balanced. Poseidon Besea weigh pockets might work. Just don't know yet the best wing. Will take a look at the Oxycheq...

If you ever got to the top of the dive ladder with a weight belt hanging from your crotch strap you'd understand

As for a BC that is adaptable, a good friend/instructor was impressed on a recent expedition to Mexico (for cenote research and some post expedition ocean fun diving) by the Zeagle Express Tech. Used it for single backmount and doubles sidemount. Very light and easy to pack.

 

[Dave616]

The Oxycheq weight pockets are ridiculously small, though. 10 lbs each?

I don't know if I would put 10 lbs. in each pocket. I usually limit my pouches to 5lbs. but you may need a lot more weight to sink that I do.
I bought the OxyCheq small (mesh) weight pockets to attach to the upper cam band. I only need 2lbs in each.

 

[kathydee]

Deep Sea Supply has a small travel wing and light B/P. My #20lb wing works great for tropical diving, but you're probably going to need at least a #30 wiing to dive cold water. In Caves you will most likely want to dive double tanks and a #40 wing.