The new Freedom Contour - The Rolex of backplates.

[Soloist]

I realize what I am about to say is highly controversial, extremely dangerous and I will certainly die… of something… someday. I have a comfort harness (H harness) on my Freedom Plate. There, I said it! I tried the hogarthian rigging briefly and the webbing was cutting into my underarms (possibly due to my shoulder width being wider than normal). If I were strictly diving off boats this would be a nonissue, however, marching around on the beach while shore diving is a different story.

Previously I used a DR TransPac, so I knew the H harness rigging would be, well, more comfortable. Once the webbing comes up and over my shoulders it sits perpendicular to the ground like an old pair of overalls. Since this rigging provides some additional length I was able to place neoprene tubing on the shoulder straps thus preventing unnecessary wear and tear on my wetsuits. It’s a breeze to don and doff and I pretty much always sling a bottle, so the chest strap keeps things in place. After 400 or so dives I couldn’t be more happy, especially with the addition of a VDH #18 wing.

 

[lexvil]

I use an H harness with all backplates, hog style just doesn’t fit me, in fact I have the hardware from an old transpac soft plate on my FP, used with a VDH 18lb for warm water and a VDH 35 for the local cold stuff. The quick adjust slides are great for switching between single hose, shorter to ride higher on ty back and longer for the Kraken to place it lower on my back.

 

[Couv]

@Soloist @lexvil How about a few pictures? I'm happy with the standard harness, but considering incorporating a semi adjustable feature to the right shoulder strap. (dodgy rotator cuff)

TIA

 

[Anthony A.]

The dive rite deluxe harness is excellent and doesnt cut into the armpit. I dived one for a while and really liked it. It was the one without the plastic QR. I think its $50 from DGX

 

[lexvil]

@Soloist @lexvil How about a few pictures? I'm happy with the standard harness, but considering incorporating a semi adjustable feature to the right shoulder strap. (dodgy rotator cuff)

TIA

Some pics, first is my "STA" made from an old buckle

FP "H" harness, I never use the QD buckles but I do Adjust the Length

The "T" piece that attaches the shoulder strap to the Seperate waist belt

DH length

Single hose length

Distance from the plate than I have the two meet

DH position

Single hose, I also wear the tank higher

 

[Soloist]

@Soloist @lexvil How about a few pictures? I'm happy with the standard harness, but considering incorporating a semi adjustable feature to the right shoulder strap. (dodgy rotator cuff)

TIA

Here are some pics of the “H” harness on my stainless Freedom Plate with VDH #18 wing. The harness is non adjustable except at the waist (to accommodate Kite City lunches). Where the harness runs through the lower slots the webbing is held securely in place by nylon slides with tubular webbing, both of which prevent fraying. The D-rings on the back of the plate are to secure a pony on the left and miscellaneous hunting gear or redundant SMB on the right. There are small DGE weight pockets on each side, but are rarely used. Typically with an AL80 and a 13/19 pony I don’t require any lead. However, we are headed to GC soon and I’m not slinging a bottle, so I just added them to the harness yesterday. I have lost 25 pounds recently, so finding real estate for pockets, D-rings, knives, etc., is difficult. An instructor was showing me his BP/W and he had all kinds of paraphernalia on his harness and I started scratching my head “like how in the hell” then it dawned on me, he outweighs me by more than 50 pounds….

 

[Akimbo]

I'm surprised you need a chest strap. The center-top connect point makes them unnecessary for most people.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I realize what I am about to say is highly controversial, extremely dangerous and I will certainly die… of something… someday. I have a comfort harness (H harness) on my Freedom Plate. There, I said it! I tried the hogarthian rigging briefly and the webbing was cutting into my underarms (possibly due to my shoulder width being wider than normal). If I were strictly diving off boats this would be a nonissue, however, marching around on the beach while shore diving is a different story.

Previously I used a DR TransPac, so I knew the H harness rigging would be, well, more comfortable. Once the webbing comes up and over my shoulders it’s sits perpendicular to the ground like an old pair of overalls. Since this rigging provides some additional length I was able to place neoprene tubing on the shoulder straps thus preventing unnecessary wear and tear on my wetsuits. It’s a breeze to don and doff and I pretty much always sling a bottle, so the chest strap keeps things in place. After 400 or so dives I couldn’t be more happy, especially with the addition of a VDH #18 wing.

The Freedom Plate isn’t DIR compliant anyway so you’re golden.

 

[Soloist]

I'm surprised you need a chest strap. The center-top connect point makes them unnecessary for most people.

View attachment 469889​

Agreed. In the water the chest strap is somewhat unnecessary. This harness naturally maintains its position. However, tromping around on shore with a pony is where it is functional for me.

 

[Soloist]

The Freedom Plate isn’t DIR compliant anyway so you’re golden.

Actually I was going to mention that, but a little bird (with a little Freedom Contour) informed me that was a somewhat contentious subject...