Wasn't easy but I've made a decision...

[Mortlock]

and that's to go bp/wings all the way! :dazzler1:

I'm mainly going to be diving in warm water with single tanks for awhile so here's what I'm going to get.

All Diverite stuff:

Aluminium BP (I travel a lot so weight is an issue)
Deluxe Harness (maybe standard, still not sure of which would be better yet. Any preferences?)
Venture Wings
Crotch strap

However I'm still pretty sketchy on how this all goes together so I have a few more questions:

1. Is it one size fits all with these kinds of harness? (I'm fairly normally shaped at 5'11" 165lbs)

2. Is there anything else I need to get? (eg. STA etc.)

3. Which brings me to... How do I attach tanks to the bp?

4. How about weights? Do I just wear a weight belt as normal?

5. How can I trim this rig as there doesn't seem to be any pockets or anything to hold small weights for trimming? Do I need to buy this sperately also?

I really appreciate your help,

Thanks very much,

Morty

 

[detroit diver]

Okay, I'll bite. What is a Venture wing, and what is a "Deluxe Harness"?

I applaude your BP/wings decision, but I'm not sure what you mean by the above.

It's hard to suggest an STA/non-STA if you don't know what kind of wing it is!

As for BP material and trim weights, you need to know how much weight you need to start out with. I use a SS BP in salt water, an AL80, and 3mm shortie. Sometimes I'll put 2 or 3 lbs in a trim weight located on the top band of my cam strap (Halcyon setup). I know the AL BP sounds good because of traveling, but the SS might balance you out better. The weight you will need on your weight belt may pull your hips and legs down. Again, hard to say because you've never owned one. Check it out in the pool first if you can.

 

[jonnythan]

The Venture is Dive Rite's new donut-style single tank wing (see http://www.diverite.com/products/bcd/cells.htm). It looks kinda funny since it's trapezoidal instead of round. The Deluxe Harness is their special harness with the extra D-rings and sternum strap and all that (see http://www.diverite.com/products/bcd/bkplt_harn.htm). Just get a regular harness or make your own. None of the nonsense on the Deluxe harness is necessary.

The tank is normally attached via an STA - single tank adapter. This is a metal piece that bolts to the back of the backplate and has slots for cambands, which attach to the tank. If you're buying it as a package for a single tank it should come with.

As for weight.. if you normally wear some exposure protection, the steel backplate is a good idea IMO (provided you don't wear steel tanks). That's an instant 5 pounds that comes off the belt. There are lots of ways to attach lead, but weight belts work just fine.

 

[OneBrightGator]

DD, the Venture wing is the new single tank wing from DR, double bagger and such just like the Eclipse except you can go STA-less with it, come on man, you gotta keep up with us Strokes

1. Is it one size fits all with these kinds of harness? (I'm fairly normally shaped at 5'11" 165lbs)

Yes, one size fits all, you trim the webbing after you have it dailed in

2. Is there anything else I need to get? (eg. STA etc.)

While you don't need an STA, I find it to be more stable and the difference between it and two cam straps (what you would need if you went STA-less) is only $20

3. Which brings me to... How do I attach tanks to the bp?

Either with an STA or two cam straps

4. How about weights? Do I just wear a weight belt as normal?

Yes, you can get a TransWeight system or whatever, but just use a weightbelt.

5. How can I trim this rig as there doesn't seem to be any pockets or anything to hold small weights for trimming? Do I need to buy this sperately also?

Yes, Dive Rite sells "Auxiliary Weight Pockets", I have one of each on the top cam band of my STA and love them, they're about $12/each and you have to buy them separately.

Ben

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Sounds like a nice set-up.

To my concern, the Venture is a great single-tank wing. I second the suggestion to go with an STA, you'll get more stability out of the rig.

Before setting up the harness, carefully inspect the slots in the backplate. You may want to "debur" them a bit ... a dremel tool works nicely. Just run your finger along the edges ... if it feels a bit on the sharp side, round it off. It'll save wear'n'tear on your webbing.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I agree you should go with a single tank adapter. It places the tank a couple inches farther away from you but it is more stable.

Nearly all backplates, STA's and wings accomodate standard 11 inch centers so I would not worry about getting a specific brand of STA. Worst case if you have something with an odd hole spacing a drill will cure the problem in about 5 minutes.

I prefer the deluxe harness even though it is not one piece and the pivot rings and quick release are not DIR. It is in my opinon more comfortable due to the improved angles around the shoulders and makes frequent switching bewteen a wet suit and dry suit easier as the slack in the shoulders can be adjusted somewhat with the chest strap.

The harness webbing is otherwise fully adjustable and one size fits all. Once you get the shoulder straps dialed in, it is a good idea to add triglides to the webbing on the back side of the back plate at the lower corners. This will keep the webbing from slipping and screwing up your adjustments.

I like Dive Rites ditchable weight pouches and prefer them to a weight belt as they distribute the weight better across the backplate, feel more secure and are easier on the back and hips. The shoulder and waist strap are threaded through them and they are both stable and secure. They are easily top loaded making weight insertion and removal easy. I prefer the Dive Rite weight pouches to the OMS no sag pouches (they have those stupid straps) or the Halcyon pouches (way too bulky and they carry the weight too far forward complicating the trim issue).

You can get small trim weight pouches but I an not a fan of adding weights to the tank cam bands. They are in a rather exposed position if placed on top of the tank and this increases the risk of snagging something which makes them a bad idea if you are doing any kind of penetration or are in an environment with kelp, fishline, etc.

You can use them in pairs and tuck them down next to the BP or STA but then they press against the wing and increase wear in this area.

Another non-DIR addition that I prefer is a set of shoudler pads. They increase the area of the strap slightly but more importantly take the edge off the stiff webbing of the shoulder straps. With the deluxe harness they also provide a nice place to store several inches of extra webbing above the right shoulder D ring and the left shoudler quick release. This is nice to have while still playing with your initial adjustments. Once you have finalized your adjustments they cover any exposed end of the webbing after you trim the straps and allow you to leave several inches of extra strap in case you move to a thicker exposure suit later.

This site should give you an idea of how things should be adjusted for fit.

Deburring the slots in the plate is a good idea but is normally not required with AL plates as it often is with SS plates.

http://www.baue.org/images/galleries/view_album.php?set_albumName=equipment&page=1

 

[5615mike]

DD, the Venture wing is the new single tank wing from DR, double bagger and such just like the Eclipse except you can go STA-less with it, come on man, you gotta keep up with us Strokes


Yes, one size fits all, you trim the webbing after you have it dailed in


While you don't need an STA, I find it to be more stable and the difference between it and two cam straps (what you would need if you went STA-less) is only $20


Either with an STA or two cam straps


Yes, you can get a TransWeight system or whatever, but just use a weightbelt.


Yes, Dive Rite sells "Auxiliary Weight Pockets", I have one of each on the top cam band of my STA and love them, they're about $12/each and you have to buy them separately.

Ben

Ben,

Are you also wearing a belt? Assume you are. If not seems like a lot of non-ditchable weight. I wear the weight pockets on my hips. Work great with the soft weights attached to the back of TP.

 

[Mortlock]

WoW! Thanks everyone for the info! I'd be lost without this board that's for sure!!

Anyway, thanks again and if anyone else would like give me some more advice it'll also be appreciated.

Morty

 

[OneBrightGator]

Are you also wearing a belt? Assume you are. If not seems like a lot of non-ditchable weight.

Yes, I split the weight evenly between the pouches and a weight belt, it spreads the weight pretty thin, but trims out wonderfully.

Ben

 

[5615mike]

Yes, I split the weight evenly between the pouches and a weight belt, it spreads the weight pretty thin, but trims out wonderfully.

Ben

Ever tried the soft non-ditch weights attached to back with cams?