SS vs AL Backplate - Choosing Your Scuba Backplate Material

[jagfish]

More beating of the horse. I'm in a process of digitizing my educational briefings/lectures. Thanks for the patience.

Look here if you are contemplating the riddle of steel vs AL backplate. This video explains the advantages of both materials and how to choose the best plate material for your intended diving purpose.

 

[happy-diver]

It's the sound Jim there's no chime in aluminium, you could never use it in an impromptu orchestra

It just sounds flat

 

[chris kippax]

No need to choose, one of each is good to have

 

[NothingClever]

Titanium and CF for high performance bicycles?

Yes.

CF for grand prix race motorcycle frames and wheels?

Yes.

Ti or CF for a SCUBA backplate?

Nothing says you’re a geardo desperate for attention quite like a Ti or CF backplate.

Just puttin’ that out there...

 

[NothingClever]

In other news, you’ve been pushin’ some plates around in the gym, @jagfish . You’re rockin’ some guns, mate.

However, I was hoping to see some little technical divemaster bunnies and all I got was James Earl Jones with a Guinness Book of World Record hair weave.

 

[jagfish]

In other news, you’ve been pushin’ some plates around in the gym, @jagfish . You’re rockin’ some guns, mate.

However, I was hoping to see some little technical divemaster bunnies and all I got was James Earl Jones with a Guinness Book of World Record hair weave.

 

[Rickk]

No need to choose, one of each is good to have

That is the way I am going. Got a deal on an AL BP an harness. I will use that to start and see where I need to add the weight and get trim. If I think I can get good trim with a steel plate, I will switch to get the lead off my belt or out of the pockets.

With my BC I have 5 kg at my waist and get trim with no neoprene just a rashie.. When I switch to the BP I will also go with tech shorts to get pockets which will move my center of lift upwards. . I am concerned that I may be head heavy with a steel BP. I will adjust with the AL plate so I can position the weight where I need to get trim. If I end up with 2 kgs about the center of the plate then I will try the steel and drop the 2 kgs. The AL plate will then be a travel plate or sold.

New rig should arrive tomorrow so I will be diving with it this week.

 

[D_Fresh]

That is the way I am going. Got a deal on an AL BP an harness. I will use that to start and see where I need to add the weight and get trim. If I think I can get good trim with a steel plate, I will switch to get the lead off my belt or out of the pockets.

With my BC I have 5 kg at my waist and get trim with no neoprene just a rashie.. When I switch to the BP I will also go with tech shorts to get pockets which will move my center of lift upwards. . I am concerned that I may be head heavy with a steel BP. I will adjust with the AL plate so I can position the weight where I need to get trim. If I end up with 2 kgs about the center of the plate then I will try the steel and drop the 2 kgs. The AL plate will then be a travel plate or sold.

New rig should arrive tomorrow so I will be diving with it this week.

Without knowing what BC you're already diving, I would still venture to guess that you'll lose a few kg of lead just switching to any backplate, regardless of material. I base that on the inherent buoyancy in an empty jacket style BC, which of course is dependent on manufacturer and model.

Personally, I dive warm water wearing either tech shorts and a rashie or tech shorts and 3mm Full wetsuit. I am using a SS plate with 2lbs of lead in weight pockets on the cam-band (tucked as close to the plate as possible) wearing 3mm full wetsuit, and zero additional lead without the wetsuit. My tech shorts are the Apeks clone (same mfg I believe), and have found almost no impact on the buoyancy of my hips/pevic area. With both configurations, my trip is really flat and comfortable.

Another factor for any diver regarding trim is Fin selection. Some are more buoyant, others more negative. I feel that, because of the "leverage" being so far away from the body's center of gravity, this can have a much larger impact on trim than neoprene items (as the neoprene is more spread across the whole body, fins are not...).

 

[Pressurehead]

No need to choose, one of each is good to have

OK, talked me into it, bought an aluminium backplate to go with the SS one.
Now to work out the weight with the trim pockets etc.
Diving at he moment in 3mm full suit , short vest, and Scubapro pocket shorts, Mares fins.

 

[Searcaigh]

OK, talked me into it, bought an aluminium backplate to go with the SS one.
Now to work out the weight with the trim pockets etc.
Diving at he moment in 3mm full suit , short vest, and Scubapro pocket shorts, Mares fins.

What tanks do you use?

If I'm diving an AL80 I have a 1Kg weight on a camband near the bottom of the tank using my SS backplate with a 3mm suit and 2Kg when I'm diving my 5mm suit and no weight belt in both cases

With a steel 12L tank on the SS backplate I'm overweighted in the 3mm and about right in the 5mm with no additional weights.

My drysuit config is the same as for 5mm plus 2Kg (soft) on a weight belt.

I'm 170cm and 68Kg (5'7" and 150lb for the imperialists)