Tek rig for a Rec diver?

[Firewalker688]

I am looking to replace my BC as it has proven it's worth and it has been a good one for sure. It's just getting a bit worn and I would like something that is a bit more travel friendly. I have thought about getting into Technical diving at some point in the distant future but if I am buying new gear I would just as soon lean that way instead of buying gear twice. Do any of you see any reason why this is a bad idea? I am partial to the ability to run single or double tanks with minimal hassle. Your input if valued. I hope each of you are doing well. If you happen to know of a really cost effective way to make this transition (if it is not a bad idea) I would like to hear about it. Good bang for the buck method of putting together a technical rig? Does anyone have the technical BC but use a recreational reg setup? I am hoping I don't sound too foolish for asking these questions. Thanks in advance.

Scott

 

[Vegan Shark]

How about just going the backplate wing route? You'll need one wing for singles, and another larger wing for doubles, though, as the doubles wings are very large and will cause a "taco" effect when used with a single tank. Wings alone can be just as much $ as buying a BC, though.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Not foolish at all. Many are making this transition to what is erroneously called "tech gear". It really is not. it's just another style of BC that is more flexible, fits better since you fit it to you, is more streamlined and travel friendly, and is highly customizable to the diver. You can indeed use it with a recreational reg. As far as cost effective you can get into this style going used from anywhere around 200.00. New it can be had during specials starting around 350.00 depending on the options you choose. You can also overpay and get a set up no better for recreational or technical dives for $800 or more. A new rig on average is going to be in $400.00 range.

What you want to avoid are a few things like extra padding on the shoulders and plate. Completely unnecessary. Harnesses with quick releases and lots of d rings are also usually avoided. You only need a total of 5 d rings at the most. 4 would be on the harness itself and 2 on the crotch strap. You also want to avoid so called dual use wings. A wing is either suitable for single tanks or double tanks. You will hear that they can be both but this is often true only to the extent that neither way on these actually works as well as it could if you had one wing for singles and one for doubles. But those of us who dive both soon find that swapping wings can be more than we want to mess with and end up with two or more set ups. One for singles and one for double tanks.

Technical rig term now is quite often used by shops that do not understand how to set up a BPW or do not sell them so there is the motive to not promote them. They come up with all kinds of myths and horror stories rooted in ignorance to discourage you from buying one. As long as you take reasonable care with there are few things to wear out. You really can't out grow the whole rig. The harness you can but it's less than 15 bucks worth of webbing to replace. Unless you run over it you can't destroy a plate. The wings often have replaceable bladders so unless you really trash it you never have to buy a complete unit if something does wear out.

Again shoot me your email and I'll send you the article that has pictures and discusses much of your single tank diving options. And it's an easy transition to doubles once you have that down.

I have an article on this if you'll PM me your email I'll be happy to send it free of charge.

---------- Post added December 15th, 2013 at 02:58 PM ----------

How about just going the backplate wing route? You'll need one wing for singles, and another larger wing for doubles, though, as the doubles wings are very large and will cause a "taco" effect when used with a single tank. Wings alone can be just as much $ as buying a BC, though.

Can be but usually are not. Wings can be had new for around 250 and if you go used much less. And nothing wrong with going the used route if you are on a budget. I have a used doubles wing for sale now for around 150 bucks. Coupled with a new plate and harness you'd be right around 300 complete.

 

[Firewalker688]

Thank you for the replies. Jim, I sent you my email and I would like to read your article. Thanks for clearing up my error in calling it a technical rig. Any additional feedback is always welcome to others.

Scott

 

[Doppler]

Wings alone can be just as much $ as buying a BC, though.

Really? Hummm.... I guess Jim Lapenta and I need to put up our prices!

 

[KD8NPB]

I rare dive anything except a BP+W.

I would advise a stainless plate and a 32 lb wing with a standard harness. That's good for just about anything.

 

[Vegan Shark]

Really? Hummm.... I guess Jim Lapenta and I need to put up our prices!

When I bought my first wing yesterday I looked at literally every single wing manufacturer I could find online. Compared to jacked up prices of some LDS, yeah they might be cheaper, but online prices not so much from what I saw. Can get a new jacket BC on Leisure Pro for $180-200s, whereas most all new wings I saw were in the upper 200s to 300s.

Used prices are lower, but can say the same for BCDs.

 

[Nemrod]

I rare dive anything except a BP+W.

I would advise a stainless plate and a 32 lb wing with a standard harness. That's good for just about anything.

Except for travel.

N

 

[Jim Lapenta]

When I bought my first wing yesterday I looked at literally every single wing manufacturer I could find online. Compared to jacked up prices of some LDS, yeah they might be cheaper, but online prices not so much from what I saw. Can get a new jacket BC on Leisure Pro for $180-200s, whereas most all new wings I saw were in the upper 200s to 300s.

Used prices are lower, but can say the same for BCDs.

So you just accepted the price they advertised? Did you haggle or call and ask what they would actually sell you a set up for? Or what extras they might throw in as far as accessories or services? And you really can't compare a lower priced jacket to a wing of equal price. Two different animals.

As for travel I have never had a problem traveling with a steel plate.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[NAM001]

Do i have a tec rig and use it for rec diving. I sure do for 95% of all my diving. The rig does not make you tec. It is only a part of the tec package. The tec rig is a configuration born of any hours of failure till it was right. I suggest you read up on its history. You will find the whys for everything. I really hate to hear that a bpw is a tec rig as much as i like ,,,, a rig that is sutable for technical diving. I am not a DIR "nut" per se. however the more you aer exposed to the methods the more they make sence and the more you find that they may be just the thing or you. Once again the rig is just a part of the package. The rig consists of a backplate and wing that are properly sized for the diver and its use. Now that doesnt sound so technical does it. On the flip side a farrari is still a car with an engine and wheels that goes down the road. Like the vw and the farrari there are things that the farrari can do that the vw cant. but unlike the vw and farari the costs of the bpw is basically the same as the bcd. The bcd once it is on it can do no more. The bpw is like a tinkertoy set and you can make it into what ever you want. You will find many benifits to a bpw inclusing being more streamlined in the water. not confined by the choking efffect of the jacket. if you get fat/skinny you replace/ trim a 40.00 web belt and dive again. bouyancy is so much easier to manage, and more. The answer was a no brainer for me. Of course you wll have to rid your self of your retractable leashes for your compass regs and other stuff, but that is a small sacrifice for the benifits derived.

I am looking to replace my BC as it has proven it's worth and it has been a good one for sure. It's just getting a bit worn and I would like something that is a bit more travel friendly. I have thought about getting into Technical diving at some point in the distant future but if I am buying new gear I would just as soon lean that way instead of buying gear twice. Do any of you see any reason why this is a bad idea? I am partial to the ability to run single or double tanks with minimal hassle. Your input if valued. I hope each of you are doing well. If you happen to know of a really cost effective way to make this transition (if it is not a bad idea) I would like to hear about it. Good bang for the buck method of putting together a technical rig? Does anyone have the technical BC but use a recreational reg setup? I am hoping I don't sound too foolish for asking these questions. Thanks in advance.

Scott