To backplate or not to backplate

[MnLakeDiver]

As a new diver I am picking out my first bc, I have narrowed the choices down to the Sherwood Outback or Halcyon SS back plate and wings. As I am 6'1" and weigh 300lbs these are the best fitting options at my LDS. So My questions are bp or Jacket and although I don't dive doubles yet pioner or explorer wings.

My lds gave the price of $400 for either the Outback or bp and pioner wings both with integrated weights included.

Any opinions from the experenced divers on the board would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TexasMike]

Initial question for these questions is

• Describe your diving profiles, both present and future.
  Do you plan on getting into technical diving?
  Diving frequency? (helps us to judge the $$/bubble ratio)

 

[Green_Manelishi]

But if not, for the same money, go with the plate.
You'll have more options in the long run.

 

[MnLakeDiver]

I'll dive mainly rec cold water here in MN with 1-2 warm water trips a year. My schedual allows for diving every other weekend. As of now my dives bottom out at around 40 feet but that is due to temp. and viz in the lakes.I am finishing my OW next weekend and plan to work on AOW next summer.

After a year of open water exp. and some additional training I would like to do some Wreck dives in the Great Lakes and then move on to cavern dives in the future. So it will be 2 years before I see the need for doubles.

The wet suit I ordered is a 2 piece 6 mill with a farmer john and overlaping shorty.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

buy the plate with a correctly sized wing for single.

When appropriate you buy a wing for doubles and don't
have to learn a new "BC" just the weight and balance of
the doubles.

 

[Lost Yooper]

A BP and wing will do everything you want it to do + . It offers a lot of adaptability, it's streamlined, and Halcyons quality is top notch . I'm not sure if I would spend the money on the weight integration. $400 sounds like a good price too. You'll be doing yourself a favor in the long run.

Mike

 

[divernva]

Just for the price I would go with the Halcyon BP/Wing. The larger Pioneer wings go for $388... $275 or so for the smaller wings. Harness and BP are about $180.

A BP/wing will definitely offer more versatility down the road.

 

[bradymsu]

Buy the backplate with the wings! It will serve you long and well in the future. Regardless of the type of diving you do, you won't need to buy a new system. You may also want to check out what OMS has to offer.

-Brady

 

[JoelW]

My question is who here in MN is carrying Halcyon? Last time I looked there wasn't a rep for quite a ways in any direction.

If you are near Minneapolis and you just want to take a bp/wing setup for a spin I can think of one store here that may borrow you a rig. Everyone I know of here sells OMS and Dive Rite though, at least that is what I thought. Buy the air and rent me something decent and I will let you take my rig for a spin. (OMS plate, Dive Rite Trek wing)

As a side note, depending on your level of interest and how much diving you get in, I am working on getting a GUE DIR Fundamentals course taught here. Probably do it after ice out in the Spring. Have three people, need a couple of more.

JoelW

 

[Lost Yooper]

Who in the entire mid west sells Halcyon? I bought my stuff from New York a few years ago. I live in the middle of nowhere, so options are a bit limited.
Long ago, I started out with a Sherwood jacket BC, then went to a DR Rec Wing, homemade BP and harness. I like my Halcyon wing mucho better.

Good luck on getting a GUE instructor. I want the GUE cave class.

Mike