Travel BC or BP/W ....weight?

[CRC65]

I have been looking at travel BCs. Most seem to weigh between 6 and 8 lbs and have a net buoyancy of 1-2 lbs.

I am curious about a stainless steel BP/W. Stainless steel plates seem to weigh about 6 lbs.

What does a typical small wing and simple harness weigh?

What is the net buoyancy of this combination?

Any comments about pros/cons of BP/W vs. Travel BC for warm water diving involving long plane ride first? (I have read the threads on BP/W vs. BC and am just looking on comments about comparing the two for travels purposes)

Thanks,
Chris

 

[redacted]

For tropical destination requiring air travel, I went with an Oxycheq UL BP (Wings-BackPlates) and their 18 lb travel wing. Packing weight is about 2.5 lb fully rigged (harness, tank straps, d-rings, etc.) and I estimate inherent buoyancy at under 1 pound. I put 6 lb on the upper tank strap and it is ready to dive. It is not quite as stable as a metal plate but quite adequate for Al80s at tropical destinations.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Cheng and I each have travel BP/W setups. Hers is a DSS Kydex plate with DSS 18# travel wing. Mine is a Dive Rite aluminum plate with Oxycheq Razor 30# wing.

Both systems weigh less than 5 lbs each ... hers packs a bit smaller than mine, but neither takes up very much space at all in our luggage.

Now all we need is lightweight fins ... our Jet fins weigh more than our BP/W's do ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[BEM]

My DSS medium SS back plate/hogarthian harness (with small knife and one empty weight pouch) weighs 8 pounds 1 ounce, the DSS medium back plate integrated weights (removable) = 8 pounds 2 ounces, the DSS 30# LCD wing = 2 pounds 6 ounces.
I take it (minus the integrated weights) with me, by air, to the Caribbean. It weighs less than my old BC and really like the SS plate diving with the Al 80's in salt water.

 

[Hatul]

I use a Zeagle Escape both for local diving and travel. It's a personal thing, but I think the BP/Wing is more trouble especially for travel.

Adam

 

[ArcticDiver]

Another good travel rig is a DiveRite TransPac with a smallish wing. Or, you can add a RecWing and a set of Stabiizers(about $17) and be set for singles ordoubles. A bit bulky but the versatility can't be beat.

It all depends on what you want to be prepared to do at the destination. In my case many times I'll dive both single and double on the same trip. So, versatility is good.

Of course, unlike how some other posters appear, I do have a limited budget. Speaking of money, on the airline that serves my city a 2nd bag costs $25, an overweight bag costs $50. So, for longer, muliti-style dives it is cheapest to just pack a second bag. Working the math I think for many people that is the better choice than trimming their dive gear.