Transpac versus BP/W

[Dan Watkins]

Sorry to introduce yet another thread BC vs BP/W, but... I am curious for open minded advice given my diving...

I got certified back in the mid 90's and I bought a typical jacket style BC. Currently I only dive single high pressure steel 120's that I also bought in the mid 90's.

I do two primary types of diving, cold water with a full 7mm wetsuit, and vacation Bahamas with just a lycra dive skin, or just a pair of swim trunks. I usually don't get into decompression diving.

I don't have any immediate plans in my future to switch to doubles. I am perfectly happy with the high pressure singles.

The thing I don't like about my jacket style BC is that it tends to ride up on me. I have to tend to pull it back down several times throughout the dive.

I have read many of the threads here about BP/W and I know a stainless steel BP would be nice for shedding some weight belt weight diving with my 7mm, but I also don't want to lug around a steel plate when I go on warm water vacations.

Assuming I never switch to doubles, and my type of diving, would a Dive Rite Transpac be a better solution than a BP/W for me?

I know that the BP/W is more ideal for doubles. I am more concerned about comfort with a single tank with no wetsuit on.

Thanks for input.

I do have a friend who is going to loan me his Transpac for a vacation dive coming up, it will be the first back inflate wing BC I have tried. I have never tried a BP/W.

 

[drbill]

I think the decision rests with you although we can give our input. I say that because it is a matter of how the BC/BP feels for you.

I don't have a Transpac, but do dive the old Scubapro X-Tek which is essentially the same thing as the early Transpacs. I also have a Dive Rite BP/W (use same wings as the X-Tek on it).

I find the soft harness style of the X-Tek is more form fitting to my body and it doesn't shift like I occasionally feel with the BP. I prefer diving the X-Tek for this reason, but do dive both of them depending on the rest of my configuration.

 

[ZzzKing]

For traveling, an aluminum or plastic (kydex or whatever) backplate is very light. Even a steel plate is not significantly heavier than a jacket BC would be, and it packs in a much smaller space. I've never dove a Transpac so I can't provide any comparison to that. Good luck in your search!

 

[oly5050user]

Sorry to introduce yet another thread BC vs BP/W, but... I am curious for open minded advice given my diving...

I got certified back in the mid 90's and I bought a typical jacket style BC. Currently I only dive single high pressure steel 120's that I also bought in the mid 90's.

I do two primary types of diving, cold water with a full 7mm wetsuit, and vacation Bahamas with just a lycra dive skin, or just a pair of swim trunks. I usually don't get into decompression diving.

I don't have any immediate plans in my future to switch to doubles. I am perfectly happy with the high pressure singles.

The thing I don't like about my jacket style BC is that it tends to ride up on me. I have to tend to pull it back down several times throughout the dive.

I have read many of the threads here about BP/W and I know a stainless steel BP would be nice for shedding some weight belt weight diving with my 7mm, but I also don't want to lug around a steel plate when I go on warm water vacations.

Assuming I never switch to doubles, and my type of diving, would a Dive Rite Transpac be a better solution than a BP/W for me?

I know that the BP/W is more ideal for doubles. I am more concerned about comfort with a single tank with no wetsuit on.

Thanks for input.

I do have a friend who is going to loan me his Transpac for a vacation dive coming up, it will be the first back inflate wing BC I have tried. I have never tried a BP/W.

If when you are on the surface is when the bcd rides up on you it may be because you wear too much weight and therefore have to put alot of air into the bcd. Seeing that you use 120 steel tank this should not be a problem unless you are wearing too much weight on a belt,the heavy steel tank would have a tendency to keep the bcd in place.I do not know if this is the situation that you have being that I cannot see what you are doing .But if that is the case the transpac will do the same , even more pronounced,unless you also use a crotch strap with it.Alot of times alot of problems such as yours and others-like a rear inf bc feels it is pushing you forwards on the surface-has to do with proper buoyancy control and positioning of weights(trim)..How tall are you/how much do you weigh/how much lead do you use?

 

[mwhities]

You say it "rides up" on you. Id this on the surface or under water? If it's under water, you might want to take a class or have someone assist you in learning to trim out. Instead of swimming vertically, you can swim horizontally. (This will help your sac rate/bottom time too.)

If this isn't the case, disregard this post.

 

[jimdiverman]

I own and still use both a DR BP&W and a DR Transpac II. Both have their points. I started out diving with the Transpac, so I am used to it, and I really like it. I like the complete donut bladder because I can dump air from the rear from horizontal or inverted position, and I never have to worry about trapped air in one side or the other because of the way I am leaning. I do a lot of photography, and this really comes in handy. I use a weight belt with about 8 to 10 pounds for most recreational dives.

I know you said you weren't looking to move to doubles, but that is what I have the BP&W for. I have a steel back plate and redundant classic wing. I find I like the simplicity of the single harness and have enjoyed diving with it. I can do away with the weight belt because of the added weight of the plate as long as I am not diving aluminum tanks that are buoyant when empty. I have been using LP108s and I really have good buoyancy control and trim with those tanks. Doubles can be a problem on entry and exit as well as handling for fills because of the weight out of the water. I have actually put myself on a strength training program to beef up my legs to handle the weight more easily out of the water. But the only reason I have the BP&W setup is for doubles.

If I were not doing technical diving or diving doubles, there is no reason I would not always dive my Transpac.

 

[Teamcasa]

I have been diving a TransPac for the last year or so. I recently picked up a Apeks WTX harness system for my lovely bride. It is similar to the TransPac but in my opinion, made much better. The best part is she loves it.
We are both singles divers and doubt diving doubles is in our future so the BP is not an issue. The Apeks Harness can accept a steel Back Plate for doubles and has a standard 2” crotch strap vs the TransPac’s 1” strap. The quality is there and other features are available.

Today, if it comes in, I hope to pick a new one for myself. (I use the Venture wing on hers and will move my Venture to my WTX as well.)

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

I started out with a Cressi jacket BC. I liked it okay. I bought a used TransPac and haven't looked back. I love it. Crotch-strap keeps it from riding up, too. I wish I could go somewhere and try out a bp/w though. Maybe a Zeagle, or something... I'm definitely a convert to back-inflate.

 

[Dan Watkins]

If when you are on the surface is when the bcd rides up on you it may be because you wear too much weight and therefore have to put alot of air into the bcd. Seeing that you use 120 steel tank this should not be a problem unless you are wearing too much weight on a belt,the heavy steel tank would have a tendency to keep the bcd in place.I do not know if this is the situation that you have being that I cannot see what you are doing .But if that is the case the transpac will do the same , even more pronounced,unless you also use a crotch strap with it.Alot of times alot of problems such as yours and others-like a rear inf bc feels it is pushing you forwards on the surface-has to do with proper buoyancy control and positioning of weights(trim)..How tall are you/how much do you weigh/how much lead do you use?

I am 6' 2", 220 - 225 lbs.

In salt water with no wetsuit, I need 5 lbs with my steel tank (for the end of the dive). With an Aluminum 80, I need about 8-10 lbs.

When I am fully suited up with my 7mm farmer john/jacket, I use 23 lbs on a belt in salt water. I did a few quary dives with 20 lbs on my belt. When my tank was getting light 700 psi, I had a surface swim back to our exit point, I like to dive down 10 feet or so and follow the compass heading. With 20 lbs of weight at the surface with my BC completely empty, I would float with my lungs full, and start to slowly sink with my lungs empty. So, I think I have a good handle on the weight. If I can float on the surface with a deflated BC, I don't think I am overweighted.

I do have a horizontal position in the water and I don't fight to stay there, I feel trimmed out well.

My BC has a velcro cummerbund. At depth it loosens around my waist, and I already have it as tight as possible. This is what allows it to move around.

I guess part of me is just curious about back inflation (I read a lot of fans about it here), and a harness with a crotch strap might be nice to hold everything on me more snuggly.

 

[Gombessa]

As an aside, can you add a crotch strap to your BCD? That should help with "riding up" problems.