Thinking of switch to a BP/W from jacket - DO Matrix vs WTX vs BP/W

[PriusDrIVER]

I currently have what I think is a great jacket BC, the Seaquest Black Diamond...but I am thinking about upgrading to a BP/W. The entire BP/W thing, while simple in principle, has a an apparent endless list of options in configurations. It reminds me of shopping for a Mac vs a PC, however in this case I'm leaning towards the complex configuration (PC) side.

I dive primarily cold water, its what is close by. If I am diving in cold water, it is in a dry suit. I also travel a couple of times a year to warmer places and dive a 3mm full suit. When diving in home waters, it is almost always with a single HP100 for the time being. I like the option of being able to size the wing to the conditions.

My current BC has served me quite well so far, but I want to have the option of learning doubles and also getting rid of the inherent buoyanc of the BC. I've dove the BC enough to know the disadvantages of it. It has 50# of lift and they claim it can do doubles, but its not an easy process and no one stocks the adapters state side that i've seen.

The question centers around the primary advantage/disadvantages of a "traditional" BP/W, such as those from Halycon, Hammerhead, DeepSea or a more "hybrid" option like those from Deep Outdoors (Matrix) or the Apeks WTX. What is the draw to a Matrix or WTX, is it just that more LDS carry them?

I also like the idea of it taking up less luggage space when I do travel.

 

[cool_hardware52]

I currently have what I think is a great jacket BC, the Seaquest Black Diamond...but I am thinking about upgrading to a BP/W. The entire BP/W thing, while simple in principle, has a an apparent endless list of options in configurations. It reminds me of shopping for a Mac vs a PC, however in this case I'm leaning towards the complex configuration (PC) side.

I dive primarily cold water, its what is close by. If I am diving in cold water, it is in a dry suit. I also travel a couple of times a year to warmer places and dive a 3mm full suit. When diving in home waters, it is almost always with a single HP100 for the time being. I like the option of being able to size the wing to the conditions.

My current BC has served me quite well so far, but I want to have the option of learning doubles and also getting rid of the inherent buoyanc of the BC. I've dove the BC enough to know the disadvantages of it. It has 50# of lift and they claim it can do doubles, but its not an easy process and no one stocks the adapters state side that i've seen.

The question centers around the primary advantage/disadvantages of a "traditional" BP/W, such as those from Halycon, Hammerhead, DeepSea or a more "hybrid" option like those from Deep Outdoors (Matrix) or the Apeks WTX. What is the draw to a Matrix or WTX, is it just that more LDS carry them?

I also like the idea of it taking up less luggage space when I do travel.

Simplicity is key advantage of the BP&W. Plate, harness, wing. Less is more......

Let me know if you would like a specific recommendation for a plate and wing(s)

In most cases, if I have reliable numbers for your cold water application (suit buoyancy and tank used) we can pick out a wing that's ok for cold water and not huge for warm water.

What I usually recommend is to first buy a wing is properly sized for cold water, i.e. dryusit and HP 100, and then take it on your first warm water trip. Most find a 26-30 wing OK for tropical diving.

Tobin

 

[halocline]

I don't get the Mac/PC comparison. In terms of the traditional BP/W vs the "hybrid" ones, I'm not that familiar with the hybrid ones. The beauty of the BP/W is it's simplicity and lack of unnecessary stuff. So, if the hybrid ones have "more stuff" like padding, complex harnesses, extra pockets, and so forth, I'd avoid them.

 

[Teamcasa]

I use a WTX Harness and a separate DiveRite wing. This system is very comfortable, extremely well built and tough. I use it with a standard weight belt. It also will take a back plate for doubles use. For travel, it packs light and tight.

 

[Trimix2dive]

LOL. This could be a hornets nest waiting to explode.

I have the DO Matrix with raised D-ring. I like it when i'm carrying tons of most of the time unneed or necessary extras (for that D-ring world does the job wonderfully).

What I dive, to go dive just for fun, with some buddies when were not diving with duals and stages and lights galore --- A simple stainless backplate, with an adjustable harness strapping, single adapter, and a donut 30lb wing (a forty donut wing if bigger tanks that 80s or 100s) for use with single tanks. Doubles I use some of the bigger lift wings & donuts.

Someone above said something like less is more - so think minimal. Work with a shop that will let you experiment with what fits and works with you best. Remember your the customer - its your money your spending, make sure you spend it wisely --- the first time.

 

[metaldector]

I dove a Zeagle Ranger for a few years before going to a BP/W (much like the Black Diamond. I switched because I got into cave diving and the need to carry doubles. Going back to the Ranger for a single tank dive was so much work that I bought a second wing (DR Trek) for just diving single tanks. The Ranger causes me to carry 16 lbs. of lead to submerge, while the BP/W with my PST 130 tank requires none. So the weight is off my hips, I carry the same configuration on the harness for a single tank as a double, with an H-valve on the tank I still can use double regs and a long hose.
Last weekend I took the Ranger out for a dive and found out all of the things I like about a BP/W. Still I'll keep the Ranger in case a buddy needs it or a friend drops into Florida without his gear.

 

[PriusDrIVER]

I appreciate all the feed back so far. It seems, as I should have expected, everyone loves what *they* dive. The Matrix guy loves the Matrix, the WTX loves the WTX and the straight up BP/W loves the BP/W

As for the Mac vs PC comparison, go to buy a Mac and you have the choice of Mini, iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro...each with a few processor speeds to pick from. Limited options, keeping it simple...you take what they give you. Go to buy a PC (HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc) and you have 30 models for each brand, each model having different versions (wide screen, normal screen, etc) and then the sub-options like the Mac, processor, memory and hard drive. Apparently there are limited options which make it daunting to pick the one that fits.

So, a jacket BC has each brand, each one with their 10 "models" with a few different options for Air2, etc. So limited options, you take what they give you.

The BP/W side, you have the hybrids (Matrix, WTX, etc) and then you have your regular plates. Each have about 50 different wings you can select, different harness configs, different weight options, some require STA some don't, pockets, d-ring configurations, crotch straps, and a myriad of other accessories. Apparently nearly endless combinations and configurations....which can make it daunting to pick the one that is perfect, or as near as to not buy twice.

So it seems that you just decide if you want the simple complexity of a plate with a harness and wing, or the pre-canned hyrid options like the WTX and Matrix.

I wish I had a local shop that carried an assortment of plates, but they don't. The only thing I've seen on their racks are the WTX and a Matrix, and some other one that my buddy there really discouraged me from looking at...and the other guy there was complaining about. Perhaps the shops in Seattle have more assortment with a possible bigger "tech diver" audience.

 

[PriusDrIVER]

Oh, and it happens to be great timing. I have a good friend that just certified and needs gear, so he can have my jacket BCD and my current hose-attached computer, since they will last him much longer than they have me (he's afraid of cold water, apparently).

 

[snoballz]

I just got my Apeks WTX harness, weight system, and WTX3 wings (was backordered for over a month).

I did one pool dive and getting accustomed to the set-up after diving the Zeagle Ranger.

I did a lot of research since I too considered the BP/W. However, for me, this is the best option in terms of modularity. I can insert a BP if I want to do doubles in the future but for now AL80 is strapped right onto the harness.

There is no trim weight pockets. However, I saw some posts whereby homemade weights are slipped into the BP pocket. I'll prolly just get trim weight pockets to put onto the tank straps.

:14:

 

[hobodiver]

I'm thinking of getting a WTX as well. I haven't got any BC right now, so this would be my first. While I can see the elegance of the simple BP/W setup, I can also see the functionality of the WTX. Unfortunately my local dive shop (Aqualung dealer) doesn't carry any in stock.