Upgrading to a back plate....?

[Icarusflies]

Hello All;

I have 25 dives so far and I am thinking to get a new type of BC. Now I have a Mars Vector 1000 Air Trim. It's a good BC but so bulky that I feel I am driving a tractor. I am thinking about a Back Plate what do you think?...Should I go instead for a Zeagle Ranger type of BC? How about good brands any recommendation?

 

[Meng_Tze]

Hello All;

I have 25 dives so far and I am thinking to get a new type of BC. Now I have a Mars Vector 1000 Air Trim. It's a good BC but so bulky that I feel I am driving a tractor. I am thinking about a Back Plate what do you think?...Should I go instead for a Zeagle Ranger type of BC? How about good brands any recommendation?

I personally would always recommend BP/wing......

There are several respected brands: DiveRire, Halcyon, Oxycheq, Golem, Agir-Brok.

But why do you want to 'upgrade' if you have afully functioning BC? If you feel more drag than you want, maybe look at streamlining, if you want a smaller feel to it maybe a different BC or BP/Wing would be the solution. Also, if you intend to go the tech route, eventually you will probably end up with BP/Wing anyway..

 

[TSandM]

I love my BP/W (and you'll find there are a bunch of us here on SB who feel that way). One of the nicest things about it is the minimalism -- there's nothing bulky in front of you. Add the fact that you can take it apart for packing, the infinite adjustability of the harness, and the cheapness of replacing the parts that wear (basically the harness!) and you've got a winning combination for my money.

Check out the Deep Sea Supply singles rig package. It's an excellent buy for good quality equipment, and Tobin's wonderful to deal with. I have written before about the fact that he wouldn't sell a rig to one of my best friends until she got the data to him to make him sure he was selling her the right size wing.

 

[BarryNL]

Hello All;

I have 25 dives so far and I am thinking to get a new type of BC. Now I have a Mars Vector 1000 Air Trim. It's a good BC but so bulky that I feel I am driving a tractor. I am thinking about a Back Plate what do you think?...Should I go instead for a Zeagle Ranger type of BC? How about good brands any recommendation?

There's nothing particularly wrong with the Ranger - it's just that its neither one thing nor the other - it's probably better than a normal BC, but why not go the whole way and get a proper BP/wing setup? The lack of a crotch strap is the main problem with the Zeagle.

For brands, any of the big makes are OK - even Halcyon. Personally I'd go for Dir Zone, OMS, Dive Rite or I'm sure any of the other well known manufacturers.

 

[AquaHump]

I think you will find out once you are in a B/P and wings that you wont want to go back, trust me I sold my Ranger after I got my B/P and wings. You can do so much with it, if you still want to dive singles then all you need is a Rec Wing and a STA. When you dive doubles just take off the STA and put on a set of Clasic wings and off you go. Lets not forget to talk about the money. I think you will find that the B/P and wings is cheaper then the Zeagle Ranger.

 

[Doc]

Contradicting (ever so slightly) some previous posters...

It isn't an "upgrade", it's more of a shift.

There are places, environments and uses that are better suited to a standard jacket style BC, but then there are 95% of situatuations that Wings would be quite fine, maybe 30% of common diving where they would be absolutely necessary or at last preferred.

Divers will post here and extoll the virtues of the gear they have aquired, and just like raving about the last trip to Jamaica beuing the bestest ever- sometimes divers feel better about their purchase decisions if they gush about the positives.

I own three jacket BC's (1 at home and two at resorts I frequent) and three Wings (2 Back Plate) for local work and lightweight, space-saving travel. There is a use for everything, mission specific as you will.

What type of BPW do I own? FrankenBC, I guess. All made up from piece-parts out of dive shop cardboard boxes under the counter. Not only am I notoriously cheap, but no one single manufacturer makes what I want.

Over the years, I have decided where I want my weights, my accessory pockets, my d-rings and everything else. I have about 20 hours of work into customizing each of my BP/W rigs.

If you are looking for The Holy Grail of BP/W set ups, there really isn't one, that out of the box... will satisfy a thinking diver after 20 hours of bottom time.

Accessory pockets that they are trying to sell you are a great profit center, but most are absolutely useless either in terms of "suggested" placement options or even the point of access (zipper) being difficult to operate. I use any number of www.BlackHawk.com pouches for SCUBA use. Check this: http://www.blackhawk.com/product_detail.asp?product_id=3470&d=

I have used a set up for 75+ hours BT and modified it before my last 35 dives began. Used a simple tri-fold men's "dop kit" ($8.95 at Wallyworld) and mounted it across my upper chest to carry small tools and repair items. Sure- I had to modify it be sewing secure attachment points for carabiners- and I punched numerous drain holes in the nylon body with a soldering gun, but the point is...

There is no one perfect set-up as it comes from the factory/manufacturer. Do not be afraid to (with trusted advice) to mix, match and modify. You might like the harness from Zeagle but like the pockets from Oceanic. Learn to sew and sew well.

Don't be afraid of being looked at funny. Sure, many will wonder, but I know I've found a thinker when somebody approaches me and says, "I like the way that works... how'd you do it?"

 

[cool_hardware52]

If you are looking for The Holy Grail of BP/W set ups, there really isn't one, that out of the box... will satisfy a thinking diver after 20 hours of bottom time.

According to you the vast majority of my customers, and Halcyon's and Dive-Rite's and........ are either "unthinking" or have less than 20 hours of BT.

There is no one perfect set-up as it comes from the factory/manufacturer. Do not be afraid to (with trusted advice) to mix, match and modify. You might like the harness from Zeagle but like the pockets from Oceanic. Learn to sew and sew well.

It's like PC's, sure you can buy a tower and power supply, and Motherboard, and CPU and drives and download copy of Linux, and learn to solder, but that's not the advice most would give to a first time computer user.

Go for it, if you love projects more than diving, and are willing to accept that you are very likely to pay more for a less refined system.

Tobin

 

[Doc]

According to you the vast majority of my customers, and Halcyon's and Dive-Rite's and........ are either "unthinking" or have less than 20 hours of BT.

Let me re-phrase: After using any store bought rig for 20 hours, any thinking diver would find issues in the product that would lend itself to modification or customization.

First though, they have to understand that this is possible with a simple application of sewing and nylon work skills. You have to have the recognition of the problem first. I have seen dozens of Tactical Divers (and PSD) that have every imaginable gadget and advantage, but when it comes right down to it- the stuff isn't operational.

It's like PC's, sure you can buy a tower and power supply, and Motherboard, and CPU and drives and download copy of Linux, and learn to solder, but that's not the advice most would give to a first time computer user.

Nor would I. What I am suggesting is that they start off very slowly. Look, examine, touch, feel and ask questions (face to face) with those who are wearing and using. There is no rush, here. Don't stop looking at just your nearest shop. Go to your local retail dive show or travel to Our World Underwater, SeaSpace, etc., many divers do! It's the consumer version of DEMA. Look, touch, ask. Wow, this http://www.deepseasupply.com/index.html from "cool hardware" looks great, too, but there is no one single panacea.

Try the rig on and operate it with eyes closed. Don't be influenced to buy everything from the same manufacturer. If you see something that works better, mix and match.

Go for it, if you love projects more than diving,

When you step into the realm of BP/W, you are in the world of absolute customization- the ultimate "project". Beware the one size fits all pitch... as in "Here, this is perfect for ya..."

and are willing to accept that you are very likely to pay more for a less refined system.

Dubious. You will likely pay more by selecting the precise piece-parts that you want and need. Less refined? By deffinition it would be more refined.

Unless it comes with Kool Aid

I am not a retailer nor a member of the priesthood. I have cobbled some computers together, but to date, never used a soldering gun to do that.

This is like starting with Bush's Baked Beans and then adding Bacon, Onion and.... you get the idea!

 

[CBulla]

Let me re-phrase: After using any store bought rig for 20 hours, any thinking diver would find issues in the product that would lend itself to modification or customization.
<snip> <snip>
This is like starting with Bush's Baked Beans and then adding Bacon, Onion and.... you get the idea!

I agree with what others have written a majority of the time.. but not with multiple statements within a reply to often. Rotan, you've hit the point squarely on the head twice here.

Icarusflies - I spent a bit of time on ScubaBoard reading, then I tried out equipment, tried on equipment, etc., before deciding on what I was going to do. I ultimately bought a back plate from FredT (scubaboard member) and an OMS wing from another member and the rest of my stuff to fill out what I wanted from the shop. Now I'm looking at some amazing cool custom belt buckles from made by Green_Maleneshi to make some changes that would be... well, allowing me to customize my rigt just a little more to fit ME and how I dive a little better. Consistantly evolving.

 

[TSandM]

Boy, I was feeling bad about not being a thinking diver, because I haven't customized my rig at all. But I have. I replaced the webbing. It was frayed.