Stainless backplate for tropical diving

[NaCl H2O]

Thank you all. These have been enormously helpful replies. This board is such a fantastic resource.

Related question: if one decided not to go stainless because it might be too much weight in some configurations (e.g., rash guard/shorts), wouldn't it make sense to skip an aluminum plate altogether and just get a soft pack harness with a few trim pockets? Something like the DiveRite Transpac or DGX's Softpack? Or maybe a simple back-inflate BCD like a HydroLite?

Again, this is purely warm-water rec diving. No tech. No cold water. Simple, streamlined, easy.

Thanks again.

I have SS and AL plates, travel with the SS. I 100% prefer diving the SS plate and don't want to be on a bucket list dive trip and not be properly trimmed.
The stainless plate is just so balanced and easily adjusted for most circumstances.

Nothing wrong with trying other options, but if you are comfortable in a rig don't change it for travel.

 

[Eric802]

I travel with my SS plate & wing. In warm water with no wetsuit or just a skin, I need no extra weight in freshwater and only about 6 lbs in salt. I'd need to add weight in fresh water, and add 6+ in salt, if I dove a lighter plate. Yes, it's a few extra pounds to travel with, but I'm happy I went with SS.

 

[Nick_Radov]

Related question: if one decided not to go stainless because it might be too much weight in some configurations (e.g., rash guard/shorts), wouldn't it make sense to skip an aluminum plate altogether and just get a soft pack harness with a few trim pockets? Something like the DiveRite Transpac or DGX's Softpack? Or maybe a simple back-inflate BCD like a HydroLite?

Again, this is purely warm-water rec diving. No tech. No cold water. Simple, streamlined, easy.

An aluminum (or carbon fiber) backplate doesn't make much difference for luggage weight or buoyancy. As for using a completely different type of BCD, well I guess just about anything can be made to work well enough for warm water recreational diving. But some of us do lots of different types of diving and prefer to use the same core gear configuration for everything.

The Dive Rite Trans Pac harness is overly complex and fussy. It tries to do too many different things and ends up not doing anything particularly well. And anything with fragile plastic clips makes me nervous. Drop a tank on one and watch what happens...

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

you could if you want, aluminum gives versatility to mount double 80s with a 45lb wing

Did you read this part?
“Again, this is purely warm-water rec diving. No tech. No cold water. Simple, streamlined, easy.”

 

[runsongas]

who knows what the future will hold for OP

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

who knows what the future will hold for OP

Well this is true I never planned to get into technical diving much less rebreathers when I started out. However it makes the most sense to have a setup that's optimized for the diving that they currently plan to do, not less than ideal configuration that can work for both technical and recreational diving but not be optimal for either

 

[runsongas]

I wouldn't say a soft pack is always more ideal than an aluminum backplate. its lighter in luggage, but not everybody prefers giving up the rigidity of an aluminum plate

 

[GF99/99]

Is there any reason not to choose a stainless backplate for tropical diving if:

• I don't care about travel weight
• I am optimizing for simple, clean, streamlined rec diving in tropical water--no cold water or tech.
• I HATE wearing a weight belt and would like the weight to be in/on the plate.
• I'd like to avoid weight on the waist strap if possible
• I am not concerned with ditchable weight--no problem swimming this up
• Currently using 4kg of lead (stuffed in the BCD pockets) with a 3mm shorty, and a rental jacket BCD (Aqualung Wave)

I am buying my first BPW setup. I've had a chance to dive a few different brands and configurations. I love the simplicity, freedom, and trim of the BPW.

Most posts here lean toward aluminum plates for tropical diving, mainly for travel weight reasons. If I have to add 4kg of weight, 3kg of that might as well be the plate itself. Or, maybe stainless is a bad idea for tropical diving for other reasons? Thus my question.

Newly re-certified after a long break. I love it. I had forgotten how amazing it is.

I am spending the next year living in French Polynesia, Tonga, and Fiji and diving there frequently.

Thanks!

Good question. Aside for the travel weight I always wondered why more people in the tropics don't use them. Same with smaller wings I don't know why people feel the need to have 30lbs of lift for a single ali tank in the tropics. I guess if you want a giant taco/manta wings around your tank the go for it.

Like I said aside for the travel weight SS backplate is the best IMO. For tropical diving I have a VDH 18lbs wing and some no name brand SS backplate I bought used for $50 and that is all I need. No weight pockets, belts, trim weight crap, etc. Just throw it on and go.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I wouldn't say a soft pack is always more ideal than an aluminum backplate. its lighter in luggage, but not everybody prefers giving up the rigidity of an aluminum plate

it depends. I had a student who seemed to have the body density of a rock and didn't need lead except in the cold water. If such a person has cold tolerance of diving a shorty in the Puget Sound (I've seen two so far), then a carbon fiber BP may be the better solution.

For temperature wimps like me, SS is the way to go, as I dive a 5 mil in 80 degree water.

It all depends on the person

 

[Tournesol2000]

I think the whole‘taco effect’ comments on 30lb wings is over exaggerated.
Mares and DGX wings are good examples of 30lb wings that are compact.
I doubt many rec divers in warm water would notice or feel a difference when diving one.