SS vs Alum BP

[mempilot]

This question has probably been answered before, but with abbreviations and such, no good thread popped up out of my search. So, I'll post my version...

I'm switching to a BP and Wing. I do most of my dives in warm water with a 3 to 5mm wetsuit. I dive with single and double Pressed Steal 80's. I have been logging more wreck dives in the 130 to 150 fsw over the last year, but nothing considered really technical (no deep penetration yet). I'm working my way into the DIR gear configuration slowly -- as my pocketbook can afford it. At some point in the future, I plan to start doing deeper wrecks and deeper penetrations with larger tanks (104's). I will be switching back and forth between dry and wetsuits.

I need some expert advice. Do I go with an AL BP and carry more weight on the belt, or a SS BP with less weight? For now, I need one all-purpose rig.

Thanks for your replies in advance.

 

[Genesis]

will likely be too much weight with a LIGHT wetsuit (e.g. 3 mil)

Beware a heavy wetsuit and steel doubles, especially large-capacity ones. You should be able to swim up your kit from max depth with a full load of gas and zero buoyancy from your wing.

If you can't, consider how you will get off the bottom if your wing fails (e.g. is ripped, etc)

 

[mempilot]

Genesis once bubbled...
will likely be too much weight with a LIGHT wetsuit (e.g. 3 mil)

You should be able to swim up your kit from max depth with a full load of gas and zero buoyancy from your wing.

Good point.

Will an AL BP work well with a dry suit? Is it just going to be a matter of wearing more weight?

 

[Genesis]

Just a matter of about being 4lbs lighter (for the AL .vs. SS)

I find that with a 3 mil suit and "light" doubles (e.g. HP100s or LP72s) I'm fine in an AL plate with no belt.

The SS plate is too heavy. I can manage it, but its not nearly as comfortable, as I have more gas in the wing than I need.

I will occasionally dive that rig with 72s, as the gas is only 10lbs in them - with the 100s I can swim it up full, but its not fun.

Now if I wear a hooded vest under the 3 mil then I can use the SS BP with no belt again.

 

[reubencahn]

I don't have an answer, just an observation. I've been diving for the past 15 years with hp100s and a Scubapro Classic bc and about 2lbs of weight. Planning on taking the DIR-F, I rented a stainless steel bp. Of course, I was too heavy, but I was also out of balance. If I went head down, I really couldn't get back easily. The same bp with an aluminum 80 was fine. I assumed this is just a question of total weight on my back and that by using an aluminum bp with the steel tank, I would be fine. Now, I'm not quite sure. I bought an aluminum bp and used it for the first time yesterday in the first half of my DIR-F class. (We were blown out so only did the classroom and pool and have put off the ocean dives.) I still had to really fight with the weight of the tank. Pivoting over the center of gravity, it was easy to get pushed completely over. Now, I think I may have had my bp too high. I'm going to make some adjustments and I hope that will straighten things out, but I'm not sure. I really don't want to give up the hp100s. I like the extra gas in a compact package so I'm hoping I can get the balance right. We'll see. But the bottom line is, if you can try out the different combinations before committing, it's worth the effort.

 

[Genesis]

A single HP100 with a SS BP and STA trims out beautifully for me.

I dive that in a 3mil wetsuit with 2lbs on my belt, and its perfect. I use the Oxycheq 45lb wing (more lift than I need, but good on the surface if its rough, and no drag penalty over the 30 underwater) and have ZERO stability issues with that rig.

You may have the tank up too high. Rig it so that the top cam band is right at the break of the tank. This allows me to still reach my valve fairly easily; if you hike the tank up too high you will be severely head-heavy.

The big problem I run into with a SS BP and HP doubles is that I tend to be head-heavy, as I can't get the tanks down far enough in the bands. Adding weight to the belt just makes the overall problem worse as you're already overweighted. The AL BP solves both problems, and that trims out ok with the HP100s, provided you have the bands right at the break of the tank.

I'm pretty tall though - I may pick up a second HP120 and try THOSE doubled, as I suspect those will trim better for me, since I can have more weight down a bit lower with them.

 

[Mverick]

Just wondering. Which HP100's are you talking about. Fabers or PST's.
Fabers are and extra 5 lbs negative or so.

I dive with Fabers. And an AL plate for a single in a 3mm suit. I don't need any weight. 6'2" 195 athletic build. Halcyon 27. And with Dual HP100's and My dry suit. I still use the AL plate. And I'm still heavy. If I use my Dual HP80's I get a little feet light. But it's bearable.

Just my experience with them. Never dove the PST's.

 

[Genesis]

I don't own any Fabers. They ARE a lot heavier, and further, they're not hot-dip galvanized, and for salt water (which is 99% of my diving) I want the extra protection.

 

[Mverick]

Yea,
I dive Fresh water. Not alot of problems with corrosion. Just be carefull.

Didn't like the PST's because of the off sized valve threads. And the Fabers were around $400 for 2 with Thermo Manifold and Highland bands and bolts. PST's were double that. It was a REALLY good SALE. Through Abysmal. Never had any rust on any Fabers I own though. LP or HP.

I do like the PST's hot Dip Galvanizing. Wish Faber did it....

My duals at $400 were brand new also. Forgot to mention that...

 

[mempilot]

Thanks guys for all the replies. It sounds like I'm going to get an Aluminum BP and try it with my steels.

This sounds like a learn by doing since configurations/body mass are all going to be different.

Genesis,

Your post about a SS/steels and a thin suit are duely noted. Rocks aren't very bouyant!

I'll keep monitoring any future replies.

Thanks again.