The new Freedom Contour - The Rolex of backplates.

[buddhasummer]

Easy enough to get an idea, could always run a poll? Not sure if SB is indicative of divers in general though, still might get an idea, if anyone's that interested that is.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

My info on percentages is from a few years ago so I don't know if the numbers are the same or different now.
I'm basing my comments on conversations I've had with buyers at e-dealers and from manufacturers that I've talked to.
It was all keyed to single tank wing sales.
When they tell me they sell between 10 to 20 single tank wings to one doubles wing that pretty much sums it up.

---------- Post added June 13th, 2013 at 08:51 AM ----------

Easy enough to get an idea, could always run a poll? Not sure if SB is indicative of divers in general though, still might get an idea, if anyone's that interested that is.

I doubt SB would be of much use for any polls. It seems that certain posts attract a certain group of divers whatever the topic happens to be, so the numbers always tend to be skewed.

 

[mathauck0814]

As a rebreather diver you know better than most that another plate is cheap compared to the cost of the other equipment and training when moving from singles to doubles.

Only ever owned one plate for all of my years of diving. Think I've rewebbed it once. That's the whole point of the system. It has absolutely nothing to do with cost but rather safety and reliability. D-rings, light loops, can light, etc all in *exactly* the same place on every kit because it is in fact the same kit. No small variations in anything. It may be that there is a target market for this product, I guess I'm not it. Too specialized and gimmicky for my taste.

 

[eelnoraa]

Based on my research and talking with other manufacturers and dealers, yes, I'm saying that approximately 95% of BP/W systems sold never see doubles, even though some of those units were bought with the eventual intention of diving doubles someday, most never do.

Actually, I do believe in this number. Most divers don't even need to/want to go to doubles. I would also say most if not every diver who dive doubles have more than one plates, and probably with a dedicated plate for single. So I can see myself with a plate that is optimize for single tank.

I have never seen a freedom plate in person, not to mention dive one. I haven't been able to see the advantage for single tank over a conventional plate. Tank closer to body, true. But I actaully prefer a bit further due to head bump into 1st stage issue. Comfort?? I think my current plate is pretty comfy even shirt-less. I guess I have to find one and dive it to know.

 

[herman]

Nice looking BP Eric and I totally understand the design. I often dive the old school plastic and aluminum plates that inspired the design and they are by far the most comfortable to use.
As for BPs being modular and this one defeating that purpose, that is more sales hype than real world usage. Sure it CAN be done and is a big sales point but in fact the vast majority of BP users who alternate between significantly differnet configurations (singles vs doubles/ travel vs cold water) end up with multiple BPs to accomplish it so in the end, the result is modular or not makes no difference, the diver ends up with multiple BCs.

 

[Peter_C]

My first back plate was one of Eric's original Freedom Plates for singe tank diving. I still have it, and dive it often, far more often than I dive doubles at probably 3:1 if not higher. The Freedom Plate is the most comfortable plate I have owned, including a stainless Halcyon plate and my current aluminum Dive Rite plate that I use for doubles, since I am head heavy and need aluminum. So no matter what, I require two back plates, with one for singles and another for doubles. Put the Freedom Plate on with no shirt against bare skin and it is super comfortable. Do the same thing with my other plate and it digs in.

My partner will never be anything more than a recreational single tank diver. She is very happy with her Freedom Plate and stands 5'1" and weighs 100#'s. Whether we are diving in the tropics or at home in our drysuits, the Freedom Plate gets the job done comfortably and with style. Can't use the word style with a bent up chunk of metal, but the Freedom Plate is hand rolled during a time consuming process that is a work of art. Not everyone should own one or I might not get as many compliments on my BP/W if they were as common as other brands

 

[ams511]

Only ever owned one plate for all of my years of diving. Think I've rewebbed it once. That's the whole point of the system. It has absolutely nothing to do with cost but rather safety and reliability. D-rings, light loops, can light, etc all in *exactly* the same place on every kit because it is in fact the same kit. No small variations in anything. It may be that there is a target market for this product, I guess I'm not it. Too specialized and gimmicky for my taste.

Your point of view is certainly valid if the diver uses the same configuration for each dive. However , I do not think this fits most divers. For example in Miami the water temperature can vary requiring from a 5 mil wetsuit to a skin. Even using the same plate I would need to adjust the webbing to accommodate the wetsuit thickness so the rings and such would not be in *exactly* the same place each time.

Another school of thought is that the diver should optimize his equipment to the dive. While it may be more expensive, it is also a valid point of view.

I don't want to put words in Eric's mouth but I would assume the target market is someone that dives primarily or exclusively with singles. You sound like someone that dives doubles primarily so you probably are not the target demographic.

 

[mathauck0814]

You sound like someone that dives doubles primarily so you probably are not the target demographic.

That's fair. I've said before that I don't own any single tanks that aren't set up for stages. I do contest that you need several plates though. You can pull excess shoulder strapping through to the waist band and have the webbing marred with something hot to notate where D-rings go on that harness. I travel more than most and my stainless plate goes with me if I'm diving open circuit. It takes mere seconds to adapt from drysuit diving to rashguard diving (and presumably from single tank to double tank as well).

I don't believe you can incorporate expense as a dimension when it comes to diving. You simply have to have what you have to have and it costs what it costs. I'm just not such a big fan of collecting up gear that sometimes gets used and most of the time acts as your own personal dive museum. To that end, I've seriously contemplated ridding myself of all of my open circuit gear entirely as I am not using it so much these days. I suppose then I'd have no plates and be perfectly suited for any type of diving

Don't get me wrong, this looks like a nicely worked piece of equipment, I'm just not sure why anyone needs it. Seems it reduces options rather than creating opportunities.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I have never seen a freedom plate in person, not to mention dive one. I haven't been able to see the advantage for single tank over a conventional plate. Tank closer to body, true. But I actaully prefer a bit further due to head bump into 1st stage issue. Comfort?? I think my current plate is pretty comfy even shirt-less. I guess I have to find one and dive it to know.

I'm only an hour away from the city up in Santa Rosa so seeing and trying one certainly could become a reality very easily.
I will do free demo's for anybody interested and I have an extra rig all ready to go.

I think that moving a tank further away from your body to alleviate banging your head into the 1st stage isn't necessarily the best fix for that problem.
Moving the tank down to the point to where you can move your head back as far as you can and barely touch the reg is a better solution.
Having the tank stick out further only creates problems like making you top heavy, creating more drag by having a bigger or taller profile, it's easier to get hung up on kelp and other entanglement hazards, and also banging into ceilings and other things if you like to go through swim through's or go under or through stuff.
For me personally, I like to have the tank as close as I can get it to my body then move the tank down accordingly - much cleaner and much better slipstream.

 

[ams511]

I do contest that you need several plates though.

No one is disagreeing with you. I don't think anyone said you need different plates for singles and doubles, it is more a matter of convenience than necessity. The point being made is many divers who dive both singles and doubles have multiple plates. The reason cited by most is that it is a PITA to disassemble the wing to switch over to doubles unless you use an STA (or have a DSS wing). So they purchase an additional plate. Some people when they travel are pushing up against weight limits so they purchase a lighter plate.

I don't agree that it reduces options because no matter what plate I use if I want to dive doubles I will need a different wing. I will need bands and manifolds for the tanks plus additional tanks if I want to continue to dive singles. I may need a drysuit for redundant lift, etc. Not to mention the training. I can't just bolt up a set of steel doubles to my plate and singles wing and go diving. Well not safely anyway. So in the greater scheme of things what is $100 for a new plate and webbing?

Eric has sold his plate on and off for several years now. They don't show up in the classified or on eBay very often. I have never read a bad comment about it so people do like it a lot.