I have read tht most travel style BCs come in soft back plates instead of the normal hard back plates. This allows the BCs with the soft plates to be folded much smaller than conventional BCs for easy storage while travelling....I am wondering whether the soft back plates provide enough support while carrying the tank? or will it be uncomfortable having the tank resting pretty much on your back while swimming?
Soft vs hard back plates
- Thread starter BLD_THRST
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BabyDuck
Contributor
i think soft ones are called back*packs* and only hard ones are back *plates*. if you're asking about travel *bc's*, i can't answer how they're made. standard bc's don't have hard backplates, like stainless steel or aluminum. the harder bits are usually plastic. (no flames, if there are some that are metal. i just haven't seen that, though i'm not intimately familiar with all possible bc's.) if you're asking about how people travel with *backplates & wings*, there are many answers. i've traveled with my plate without a problem. (though i originally had it packed in the checked bag, but the bag was 6 lb too heavy, so actually had to carry it on...) it's not hard to travel with a backplate.
think through your question again, and if you're asking about travel bc's, let us know. if you're asking about traveling with backpacks or backplates, let us know that!
think through your question again, and if you're asking about travel bc's, let us know. if you're asking about traveling with backpacks or backplates, let us know that!
PerroneFord
Contributor
BLD_THRST:
Lets see. An AL80 weighs about 3 pounds in saltwater, closer to 4 in fresh. So lay on your bed, put a pillow on your back to simulate the padding, and put sears catalog on top of that to simulate a tank underwater. Uncomfortable?
DiveMaven
Contributor
My first BC (SeaQuest) had a molded plastic "plate" for the tank to rest on, but only had 1 tank strap. My preferred (and current) BC (a Zeagle) has 2 tank straps and is soft. I find there is no difference in how it feels on my back, in or out of the water.
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