Vest BCD vs. BP/W setup

[CymruCanuck]

Absolute beginner to diving (2 fun dives at a resort and 5 required dives for PADI O/W cert). I understand this is not a sport for the faint of heart (oops...I meant wallet...:shocked2. However, as a latecomer by age with children in tow, I want to try to ensure that my investments gearwise are as practical as one could expect. I have had the majority of my questions answered through searches on this site. My current dilemma stems from the debates I have encountered with local LDS's and my coworkers (many of whom are certifiable...I mean certified divers, as well as one who is a PADI instructor) as to whether or not I should be heading in the direction of a BP/W setup or the more traditional BCD. My goal (despite inexperience and ignorance) is to eventually wreck and cave dive. I imagine it would it be advisable in terms of $$$, safety via familiarization to personal setup, as well as many other reasons to familiarize myself with a specific rig from the onset of training. I am leaning towards a BP/W and would love to hear any and all advice members have on this subject.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

The BP/W is as simple, streamlined, and modular a design as you can find. It has the advantage of working with either single or double tanks. Other advantages are better stability of the tank on the diver's back, and better "fit" (with a Hogarthian harness at least) for a wider range of body sizes and shapes.

Different materials are used for the backplate, and wings of various sizes and lift capacities can be used. Most wings will fit on most backplates (with a few exceptions).

There is nothing terribly wrong or bad with a basic jacket BC. I have one and gererally liked it, but I was not 100% satified with how it felt underwater.

The majority of my dives had been made with a simple backplate-like harness and no BC at all in the 70's & 80's, and I didn't like how "sloppy" the jacket BC felt in comparrison.

I recently switched to a BP/W with a simple 1-piece Hogarthian harness, and I'm really happy with it. It feels MUCH more stable for shore diving, and more comfortable in the water and while walking on shore to and from the entry point.

If at all possible, see it you can try out a BP/W before buying either a jacket BC or BP/W.

If you are looking to progress to cave and wreck diving, then a BP/W will be a good purchase.

Good luck and Best Wishes.

 

[TSandM]

If you intend to cave dive, a BP/W will be an excellent first purchase. Except for sidemounting (which is usually an advanced approach) cave diving, which requires double tanks, requires a backplate-type system. Buy wisely, and you buy once. I wish somebody had given me that advice three years ago!

 

[Rand]

If you do a search, you will find many posts debating the merits of traditional BCDs vs. BP/W setups.

The standard answer you will get when asking what setup to go with is it is best to try out several different brands, types, etc. before buying. Rent or borrow some and dive with them. Ask divers you see what they like/dislike about what they have. This holds true with just about every piece of gear.

That being said, I bought a "hybrid" back inflate/jacket BCD right after my confined water dives. It was ok, but I didn't like the squeeze I felt when it was inflated, and felt that it shifted around a lot. The weight integrated pockets were good, but were tough to replace while wearing it during training and the zipper pockets were about useless. I did about 20 dives on it and decided to buy a BP/W (from Deep Sea Supply).

Why Deep Sea Supply? Their products get a lot of praise here and the time Tobin took to explain the whole setup, give me a personal recommendation for plate and wing size, and after viewing the instructional videos and FAQs on their website, I was sold.

I like the feel of the BP/W a lot better, and like the weight aspects of the stainless steel plate as it works well for warm water diving with rented AL80s as well as local drysuit diving (no additional weight needed with a 3mil suit and a lot less lead needed with a drysuit). The whole rig also packs a lot smaller than a regular BCD. I also like the ability to set it up and tailor it to fit the type of diving I'm doing.

You're still a ways off from getting into cave diving, but I don't think there is any other choice than a BP/W for cave diving. I don't think you necessarily need a BP/W for wreck diving.

I wish I had waited a bit, done some more research, and tried out a few BCDs before purchasing the hybrid BCD. I would have saved about $400 had I gone with the BP/W from the start, but it wasn't too big of a hit and I ended up giving the BCD to a family member as a replacement for some old gear.

I would still recommend diving with several different borrowed and/or rented setups before buying anything. Just because something is preferred by someone here or elsewhere, doesn't necessarily mean it will be liked by you.

 

[rongoodman]

I started out with a BP/W, haven't used a jacket style BC since OW, and see no reason to. Mine are Halcyon, but DSS is very popular around here, especially because of the owner's customer service.

 

[CymruCanuck]

My thanks to all that have so far contributed. I appreciate all the information I can amass, and have found these forums to be an amazing wealth of experienced knowledge.

In terms of responses to my original post...yes, I will most definitely try out as many setups as are available locally. It would seem that it might be advisable to skip the initial steps of purchasing and reselling a vest BCD and heading directly to a BP/W. If I am not mistaken, would it also be correct to assume that I would have more flexibility of usage based on the adaptability and flexibility of a BP rig due to its modular setup and interchangability?

 

[CymruCanuck]

As a side note: I am currently using 7mm dry suit (air temp currently below 0 C and water temp on dives fluctuating between 6-8 C) salt water dives off the coast of Vancouver Canada, and I required 40lbs to maintain eye-level flotation at onset of dive...pretty much maxed out the Mares BCD including bullets jammed into the trim pockets, although I had no issues establishing and maintaining bouyancy. Could anyone advise as to the differences (if any) when converting to BP/W for weighting and lift?

 

[Ben_ca]

Bravo on trying to think of the long term goal.

Expect to use less weight on your weightbelt. The usual padding and exra material that makes up the jacket style BC usually equates to more stuff to sink. With the BP&W it's the plate, wing and minimal webbing (unless you go for some of the more ridiculous designs that add un-needed padding ect)

Also read this link Bitz Scuba Diving Equipment Guide

I think this summarizes what you are trying to do.

 

[CymruCanuck]

Thanks for the info and the link Ben.

 

[Jorgy]

Based on input from your posts........

I would recommend a SS back plate and consider a weighted single tank adapter......

I think it will help you trim out by shifting to weight higher and across you back, if that makes sense to you.......between both it would be about 12 pounds off your belt......

I use XS Scuba weight pockets on my top tank trap to tweak the trim on my SS backplate Halycon rig........

It is non-dichable weight but you have redundant lift in your drysuit........

Hope this helps.........M

Wings-STA

XS Scuba Single Tank Weight Pocket