The negatives of bp/w

[BDSC]

I tried a BP/W for several dives. Maybe 6 to 8 I suppose. Other than not liking a crotch strap, I don't know that I could find any negatives. However, I also couldn't find any positives over my Scubapro BI Seawing or my SP jacket. So for me, why spend the money for something that didn't improve my diving experience.

 

[Rich Keller]

Thanks for the comments. I'm going to wait. The Dimension i3 is truly the most comfortable BC I've used in 20 years of diving. I love it but it is so damn cluttered sometimes. I like the hogarthian configuration. It just makes sense to me.

I would not give up something that works well for you already. What is it cluttered with that is causing your concern? Maybe reducing the extras you are carrying or finding better places for them is a better solution. I just bought a wing for my last trip to the Keys but it was more for how well it packed in the suitcase then anything else. In the water it worked no different then a jacket and on the surface it held my head up fine for short periods. As I was looking to reduce the size and weight in my suitcase I paired it with a commercial diving harness instead of a backplate and did not even bother to use a crotch strap.

 

[herbdb]

But you must look at the positives of the BP/W.

1. You won't die

2. You can look down on lesser equipped divers

3. You can talk about poodle jackets

4. If someone asks for BC advise, you can jump in and explain how misguided they are

5. You will look cool

6. Did I mention you will look cool

 

[Pullmyfinger]

Your Back plate and wing won't be featured in the usual diving magazines, and gear guides.
This is a disappointment to many, because they aren't this season's newest thing.

 

[spectrum]

Your Back plate and wing won't be featured in the usual diving magazines, and gear guides.
This is a disappointment to many, because they aren't this season's newest thing.

Quite the contrary.....
They have been featured as a recreational option. They are still not in the main stream reviews but they do have visibility as a viable option. Who needs a dive magazine review when you have the ScubaBoard choir?

Pete

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I agree, they will not be featured in mainstream reviews; many don't care for the utilitarian look.
Of course there is the power of advertising dollars.

 

[BAMA6977]

I would not give up something that works well for you already. What is it cluttered with that is causing your concern? Maybe reducing the extras you are carrying or finding better places for them is a better solution. I just bought a wing for my last trip to the Keys but it was more for how well it packed in the suitcase then anything else. In the water it worked no different then a jacket and on the surface it held my head up fine for short periods. As I was looking to reduce the size and weight in my suitcase I paired it with a commercial diving harness instead of a backplate and did not even bother to use a crotch strap.

View attachment 153837View attachment 153838View attachment 153839View attachment 153840

I like this. About as simple as you can get and no clutter.

 

[DevonDiver]

I agree, they will not be featured in mainstream reviews; many don't care for the utilitarian look.
Of course there is the power of advertising dollars.

Many of the major scuba publications favor reviews on the products offered either (1) for free to the magazine to review or (2) by maunfacturers who pay for expensive advertising space in the magazines.

Many of the BP&W manufacturers neither offer (1) or pay for (2)... However, with the likes of Scubapro now offering BP&W options, that is changing...

The second issue is that of 'reviewer competence'. I've seen a few BP&W reviews over the years that were essentially clueless.... the reviewer obviously had little/no familiarity with the equipment and conducted the review on less than favorable terms for that reason. The same thing is now happening with sidemount.. (example)

Incompetent reviewer:

 

[gekodivebali]

Lol, thanks for that Andy, it was so much fun reading this...
Cannot believe this guy actually has a position as a journalist. So many instances of total incompetence in so few lines.
This shows the problem with sidemount: people with some experience think they can use any system without any instruction, reading the manual or even spending the time trying to get to grips with the system...
Kids, don't try this at home, someone could get hurt!

 

[fnfalman]

But you must look at the positives of the BP/W.

5. You will look cool

6. Did I mention you will look cool

Don't forget that chicks dig it too.