Two backplates, or two complete setups?

[Malpaso]

In my seemingly never ending search for information on a bp/w for myself, I'm wondering what is involved in diving in cold and warm water. Basically, would I need just two backplates, two complete setups, or use the cold weather setup for both?

1. How easy is it to swap a SS backplate for cold water to an aluminum one for travel to warm water?

2. Is this moot because the 40# wing would be overkill for warm water, and I should have a complete second setup?

3. Could I just use the SS backplate and 40# wing when I travel, even though it's far from ideal?

 

[CT Sean]

I have separate plates (one AL and one SS), harnesses , and crotch straps, but will use my 25 lb wing for both local and tropical diving.

If I done deep enough locally to warrant a bigger wing, I'd probably have 2 of those as well.

 

[rongoodman]

If you want two backplates, just put a harness on each. When I travel with BP/W, it's almost always to a salt water area, so the SS plate comes along, along with the 30# wing. (My 40# wing is for my doubles.)

 

[eelnoraa]

+1 on What Rongoodman said. Two backplates, both with their own complete harness. One wing is fine, I,now, use 30lb for both 45-55F drysuit diving at home and vacation.

 

[Wookie]

My situation is slightly different, I have a rigged SS backplate with harness and STA with 18# wing for single tank diving, and a fully rigged aluminum backplate with dual bladder 48# wing for doubles diving, all diving done with steel 100's. The only thing that gets moved over is clippy stuff like reels and backup lights. I have SMB pouches on each rig.

Cold water diving is for men tougher than I am.

 

[tech3324]

I like having two backplates so one harness can be sized for a drysuit and the other for a lycra skin. The drysuit setup is a 6# plate, 6# STA, and 27# wing. The warm water setup is a steel backplate and STA weighing about 4# for both, and a 18# wing.

Each backplate having it's own properly sized harness is the big advantage of two backplates.

 

[MalibuJerry]

In a singles set up with a STA it is just as easy to use the SS backplate. I used to swap for the lighter Al one but absent a weight issue on checked luggage it is not worth it. I wouldn't worry if your wing is too big, it will still do the job. If you are in doubles when you travel, then having two backplates with separate harnesses makes good sense. The SS backplate may make you too negative assuming you don't wear weights with your doubles in warm water.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

At one time I liked having two back plates. So much so that now I have four! All with basic harnesses.

Three steels and one aluminum.

The 2 Steels are for big doubles (LP85's and up)w/ 50 lb wing diving dry and baby doubles (lp 72's and al80's) with 35lb wing dry or wet.

The other steel is my freedom contour plate for local diving with singles. Al is for travel with 23 lb wing. Unless travel is to cold water and/or tech stuff.

Also have an Express Tech for pool.

Diving this weekend and none of them are making the trip. I'll be in my new sidemount rig on Sunday for my SM cert.

Saturday it'll be a Silent Diving Sytems rebreather. 1st time just for the experience and additional knowledge.

 

[SeaCobra]

or you could go with the Halcyon Traveler system; polymer backplate for lightweight travel and weight pouches attached to the plate for ballast.

 

[TSandM]

Personally, I think a 40 lb wing is an awful lot of wing even for cold water, if you are diving a single tank, unless you are diving dry with very thick undergarments, or you are very, very large.

I have a SS plate and 32 lb singles wing, an aluminum plate and 40 lb doubles wing (so I can move weight to the bottom bolt), and a Kydex plate that I use with a variety of wings when I dive in warm water.