tech plate or just back inflate?

[matt_unique]

I don't think people are necessarily afraid to comment on this kinda thing but most just don't bother because so many people seem to laud the advantages of backplates without acknowledging that there are sacrifices. Newb though i am i just don't believe that bp is the answer for everyone. As far as i can tell this sport is like anything else in that there is no single right answer for equipment for everyone. In the case of backplates, though, that seems to be what some people insinuate.

What do you see as sacrifices with a BP/W compared to a BC? As I mentioned I owned a BC long before I moved to the BP/W. I have not found any sacrifices and in fact only advantages.

 

[MSilvia]

Oh, you know... they look really uncomfortable if you've never worn one, they don't feel right if they aren't fitted properly, once properly fitted you can't adjust them while wearing them (as if you'd want or need to), and they don't have quick release buckles, so you have to take them off to get out of them.

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

I'm convinced. BP/wing setups are perfect.

While I am now convinced of the BP/wing's perfection, I think any honest response to the original poster would have to acknowledge that everyone is different, and that she should try em and dive what is right for her. My only thought, as I said before, was to not get too caught up in thinking too far into the distant future in evaluating rigs.

But BP/wing rigs rule, and that's all she should get.

Gregg

 

[Monkey Knife-fight]

What do you see as sacrifices with a BP/W compared to a BC? As I mentioned I owned a BC long before I moved to the BP/W. I have not found any sacrifices and in fact only advantages.

So you are arguing that in fact bp/w is The Answer (note the capitalization) for everybody? That every diver would be happier with a bp/w over a back-inflate?

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

I know I am

 

[jagfish]

Another minor consideration...resale

I hope you never get out of diving once it, but from having a look on Ebay, I think the trend that can be seen is that relatively few BCs hold their value. In my observation, it seems that Zeagle and Seaquest do about best. BP/W seem to hold their value pretty well, especially plates for obvious reasons.

Picking up used gear on Ebay is a great idea to defray your costs. I have seen used Balances go for 200 or less in winter, entire Pioneers systems for as little as 300 or so (more for the Eclipse).

When I first switched to BP/W, I thought all the same things as many others looking from the outside in; looks uncomfortable, hard to adjust. Once initially adjusted, not really an issue for me anymore. I'm glad I made the switch...

 

[DementialFaith]

Wow, thnx for all the msgs, they reminded of another problem I might have to deal with: If I'm teaching a class, wouldn't it be kinda bad to have a bp/wing consider all the students would have a hard time dealing with an instructor with a very different buoyancy system from their own?

 

[The Kraken]

I think, perhaps, that it would serve a good purpose by showing that there are rigs out there that are very acceptable alternatives to the BC's touted by the LDS's.

 

[divad]

So you are arguing that in fact bp/w is The Answer (note the capitalization) for everybody? That every diver would be happier with a bp/w over a back-inflate?

Yes, except for the very old, the infirm, or the blatantlly obvious (note the redundancy). And no, its not The Answer: its The Elegant Solution.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Wow, thnx for all the msgs, they reminded of another problem I might have to deal with: If I'm teaching a class, wouldn't it be kinda bad to have a bp/wing consider all the students would have a hard time dealing with an instructor with a very different buoyancy system from their own?

I have not taught a class in anything except a BP/wing ... at least not the OW portion ... in the pool I have been using a TransPacII, but even that's changed since getting the AL plate. In OW I also use a long-hose config, although in the pool I'll use the traditional reg setup, since I have to demonstrate skills.

The advantage of this approach is that the students are exposed to varying configurations, and get a better understanding that there are choices and trade-offs. I try not to push one method over the other but I do like to explain the differences. I assume that my students are smart enough to take that information and make their own informed choices.

Besides, around here there's a good possibility that a new diver will end up diving with someone wearing a BP/wing and long hose config. I would much rather teach them how to do OOA's in that setup than have them learning it from a dive buddy.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)