Thinking of making the switch to bp/w...

[ligersandtions]

If you're planning to dive in the UK, I'd also suggest going with the SS plate (and probably holding off until then before you buy). Thicker exposure protection, especially if you end up in a drysuit, means you'll need more ballast to sink....when diving a single tank, I dive a small SS DSS plate with the additional weight plates (total weight for the plate is 10 pounds) and then four additional pounds on a belt.

For reference, I'm 5'2" and 120, so pretty similar to you, it sounds like. The small plate isn't a big deal for me when I dive singles, but it makes a noticeable difference for me diving doubles. Sounds like you could probably go either way.


FWIW, if you're going to stick with warm water, an Al plate is likely your best bet....as TSandM mentioned above, you can add weight if needed, but there's not much you can do if you're inherently overweighted (a few pounds is not a big deal....much more would be).

 

[rivers]

Are you planning on diving around the UK? If so then go with the steel plate. You could use the additional weight to help sink your thicker exposure suit/dry suit.

That is the plan.

 

[rivers]

Use what you have for a few more months.
Unless you do some more research and get a discount when you park your ship somewhere cheap.

When I stop working on ships, I lose my expendable income (that is the biggest downside unfortunately), so I wanted to pick one up while I have the money to do so. I'm leaning towards an aluminum backplate since it is lighter, and I will still be doing a lot of traveling. I found an OMS comfort harness and aluminum backplate on leisurepro for less than $ 130, so I'm thinking of purchasing it. I'm still looking around for a wing however.

 

[CT Sean]

I'm sure there's nothing wrong with the OMS comfort harness but (in my opinion) you're paying a fair amount extra for shoulder pads and plastic disconnects on your shoulder straps. The Dive Rite Deluxe harness is the same basic design minus the "niceties" but is still very nice and less than half the cost.

If you are really into the pads and disconnects it's probably a good deal but if you don;t really care then you can get a Dive Rite deluxe harness, AL backplate and crotch strap for almost exactly 100.00 at scubatoys.com with the 10% scubaboard member discount.

 

[rivers]

I ended up going with last year's model of the Hollis Elite harness and dive rite aluminum backplate with the hog 32# wing. I wish I remembered about the scubaboard discount. oh well. Would have saved me $35. No big deal. Hopefully it's here by Thursday so I can use it in Coz on Saturday. With an STA and 2 cam bands, it came to under $400. Not bad.