So Many BP/Wings to choose from!

[seacam diver]

Stainless back plates are preferred over aluminum. You'll take a few pounds off your belt. Check out Deep Outdoors or OMS too. You can mix and match too. Like one companies plate, anothers wing, anothers weight pockets or single adapters. You should check out the hardware from Highland Millworks in Massachusetts, he makes great stuff. I am a photographer and my drop rings are made by highland. Good luck...

 

[iflyprops]

I just looked at Highland's website, they have what appear to be very nice products. I think initially I will go with a 'read-to-dive' setup from someone like Halcyon or Oxycheq due to my inexperience with bp/w's. Once I see how it is setup I will probobly branch out to other brands when I am ready from doubles.

I believe OMS' products are a little touchy, especially with the DIR folk here on the board. I think this is mainly due to the fact that their wings are heavily bungied.

Thanks for the great input and suggestions, as usual!

 

[dajmitch]

I just got an Oxycheq Standard 30# from COVCI, and it suits me fine. IMO the Halcyon is not worth the extra $$$. One thing to think about w/ a SS backplate and SS LP tanks in warm water is ditchable weight. You may end up w/ none. For some divers, no problem ... others... "No Way!"

 

[iflyprops]

I just got an Oxycheq Standard 30# from COVCI, and it suits me fine. IMO the Halcyon is not worth the extra $$$. One thing to think about w/ a SS backplate and SS LP tanks in warm water is ditchable weight. You may end up w/ none. For some divers, no problem ... others... "No Way!"

I am a little worried about the ditchable weight issue, i think I would rather carry around some lead than carry around heavy gear and such. Not to mention not having the extra safety. If I were diving a drysuit, no problem, but not wet.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I haven't heard any discussion on OMS. What are your opinions on there gear. I'm just begining my "research" into a BP/W. Thanks

I like the rounded corners and the perimiter holes on OMS plates and the latest ones now have the pretty much industry standard slots to accomodate a single tank without an STA (if you really want to do that). The finish on my OMS plate was ecellent so I have no complaints in that department.

Their standard and pivot ring harnesses are essentially the same in terms of function and quality as Dive Rite's.

OMS gets a lot of heat for their "bungeed wings of death" but in reality all their wings are available without the bungee system if you don't like it and can be removed if you think you'll like them but ultimately don't.

And truth be told, Dive Rite uses bungees on a couple of their wings and does not even offer a non-bungeed counterpart for those particular wings. But inconsitently enough, no one seems to make a big deal out of it other than to occassionally suggest the bungees be removed nor does anyone suggest avoiding all Dive Rite equipment because of it.

Much of the preference for or against OMS is regional in nature and passed by word of mouth. Some of predjudice that is out there is just due to some divers wanting to wear the "right" gear to fit in with their peers. They tend to perpetuate the information they heard from someone but that, I suspect, they do not always entirely comprehend.

 

[busraider1]

Was/am looking to purchase gear, so i rented.. For me personally, the OMS IQ back with the steel backplate, was a perfect fit. Was like diving my old dacor rig setup. I am definitley looking to purchase one, although i need to save a few pennies. in order to do so.

 

[iflyprops]

Good point on the OMS gear. I just found out that a friend of mine dives an OMS plate and wings, so I might try his set. Still leaning toward the Oxycheq though.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Albion]

OMS gets a lot of heat for their "bungeed wings of death" but in reality all their wings are available without the bungee system if you don't like it and can be removed if you think you'll like them but ultimately don't.
Much of the preference for or against OMS is regional in nature and passed by word of mouth. Some of predjudice that is out there is just due to some divers wanting to wear the "right" gear to fit in with their peers. They tend to perpetuate the information they heard from someone but that, I suspect, they do not always entirely comprehend.

I do not have any OMS gear but it always looks well made. It always make me smile when i see the "BWOD" and "who needs a 100lb wing" comments. The two deepest OC scuba dives were both set using the 100lb BWOD. If the stuff wasnt any good it wouldnt have been used on these dives, it just seems a very DIR wannabe thing to knock OMS

 

[OneBrightGator]

Someone setting world records just for the record is not where I'd be looking for advice on gear.

Ben

 

[Albion]

Someone setting world records just for the record is not where I'd be looking for advice on gear.

Ben

Dismissing a whole range of products from a manufacturer just because they make the BWOD seems a bit dumb too, as Aquamaster mentions they have other wings without bungies but i still see regular postings here about 'i would never touch OMS blah blah BWOD blah blah blah'

The point is that their equipment has been proven to extreme depths even if it is oversized for normal usage. You dont see people saying i would never buy a ferrrari because they make F1 cars with big wings, or that North Face stuff sucks, did you see the size of the jacket that guy used on everest. Give em a break.