tangible benefits of BP/W over quality back inflate jacket

[peterbj7]

I own and use a wide variety of buoyancy devices, and for routine recreational diving (including teaching) I prefer a wrap-around inflation jacket to any wing configuration. I am just about to try an integrated back-inflate BCD but haven't yet so can't comment on it. (I presume that the OP doesn't mean a back-inflate jacket, which is far from standard, but a regular wrap-around jacket).

And when I'm using a wing I generally prefer a soft harness (such as a DiveRite Transpac) to a wing. Only when I'm going to be carrying a lot of gear do I use a backplate.

As someone said, the wing brigade easily shout the loudest, but the vast majority of divers, including very experienced ones, use "conventional" wrap-around jacket BCs. Which is why they're "conventional".

Remember that there are many possible equipment configurations, all of which can be made to work successfully. And also remember that use of a wing does not require use of a backplate, so the much bandied term "BP/W" is highly misleading.

 

[Ben_ca]

To add one more to ZKY's list:

5) Resale value. Look at the price of used traditional BCs vs BP&Ws.

 

[djanni]

1. Diving doubles or side mount... Steel back plates probably provide a stronger platform for such attachments.

2. Total weight needed may be less w/bp/w. When diving w/ a back inflate I need 2 more pounds of lead than I do when diving a bp/w.

Most everything else is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

To add one more to ZKY's list:

5) Resale value. Look at the price of used traditional BCs vs BP&Ws.

I thought of that, but the reason I didn't list it is because I've never heard about anyone going from a BP/W to a jacket.
But you're right, resale value is much higher. The rare times I have seen one for sale it was usually due to someone who can't dive anymore or other reason aside of them not liking it. And when they do come up for sale they don't sit around long.

 

[nwdiver2]

You can mix and match parts I have one plate and harness and 3 bladders