What the deal w/ BP & Wings

[GLOBALflyer]

I am in the market now for buying my first BC and I've been searching thru dozens of posts. The dive cold and warm waters, and use SINGLE tanks most every where I go. I have not been on a boat where people dive DBL's. I would like to get into some technical diving but that would only be a small percentage of my diving. So, the question is, would a BP & Wings be right for me if I dive single mostly? I do want a back inflat. BCD because I hate having to adjust my cumberbun diving. What is so great about the BP and wings and are the comfortable. Seems like having a metal plate on your back would not be so comfortable. I have read in other post the weights are integrated in the backplate, how do you drop your weights?
thx,

 

[Corigan]

I am in the market now for buying my first BC and I've been searching thru dozens of posts. The dive cold and warm waters, and use SINGLE tanks most every where I go. I have not been on a boat where people dive DBL's. I would like to get into some technical diving but that would only be a small percentage of my diving. So, the question is, would a BP & Wings be right for me if I dive single mostly?

At the moment I only dive single tanks as well. I mostly dive my steel 112's in cold and warm water. Yesterday I dove in 48 degree water. I have recently switched over from my scubapro knighthawk to a BP/W. I love the feeling of the wing. I trim out nice and easy and have considerably nicer dives. I have control over my bouyancy much better than I did with my knighthawk. Of course YMMV.

I do want a back inflat. BCD because I hate having to adjust my cumberbun diving. What is so great about the BP and wings and are the comfortable. Seems like having a metal plate on your back would not be so comfortable. I have read in other post the weights are integrated in the backplate, how do you drop your weights?
thx,

As for the metal plate in your back. It actually doesn't feel bad at all. I was quite suprised. Underwater it feels like nothing on your back. Even on land I found myself standing around with a big steel tank strapped to my back breaking down other gear before I even took my rig off. It wasn't bothering me or uncomfortable at all. Interesting enough though when I used to come out of the water wiht my knighthawk I would immediately remove it. This of course is with my limited experience (5 dives in the past 2 weekends with my BP/W), but I can already tell the BP/W is going to be the only rig I dive. Of course take what I say here with a grain of salt.

Matt

 

[RICHinNC]

I agree with Matt. In the water you dont know its a big steel plate. What I did though because when I do get out of the water I feel pressure on a bad part of my back....I just made a back pad that goes on with velcro. I only use it when I am shore diving or have a long walk with gear on. But it works for me and cost under $5 to make.
rich

 

[H2Andy]

I have read in other post the weights are integrated in the backplate, how do you drop your weights?
thx,

no, the weights are not integrated on the backplate.

the backplates themselves weigh roughly 2 lbs (aluminum) and 6 lbs (steel).
the rest of the weight (if you need any) you should wear on a belt.

in my case, diving an aluminum backplace and a steel 95 tank, in freshwater,
i don't need any additional weight, and am quite negative.

 

[Mako Mark]

you need to try one dude, they are really different and pretty much anyone that has dived them say they are WAY better and more comfortabel

 

[cool_hardware52]

I am in the market now for buying my first BC and I've been searching thru dozens of posts. The dive cold and warm waters, and use SINGLE tanks most every where I go. I have not been on a boat where people dive DBL's. I would like to get into some technical diving but that would only be a small percentage of my diving. So, the question is, would a BP & Wings be right for me if I dive single mostly? I do want a back inflat. BCD because I hate having to adjust my cumberbun diving. What is so great about the BP and wings and are the comfortable. Seems like having a metal plate on your back would not be so comfortable. I have read in other post the weights are integrated in the backplate, how do you drop your weights?
thx,

Hi Globalflyer,

At first glance a BP&W looks Like it was designed by the Marque de Sade, hard metal plate etc., this is not the case.

Many advantages to a BP&W, but at the top of my list is 5-6 lbs (the plate) located over my lungs, big help with trim, and second the stability.

Think about an all fabric BC jacket, now attach a tank to the center of the back panel. What keeps the tank from rolling? Where does the hard tank contact you? Right down the middle (spine) of your back.

Properly fitted, the plate contacts your back in 4 spots, two near the top and two near the bottom, out near the the edges of the plate. This is a function of the human anatomy. Try backing up to a wall and pressing your back flat against it. See where it touches? That's pretty much where a BP will contact you. Having the 4 widely spread contact points provides stability, the plate and tank are part of you.

With a single tank, and pretty much any wetsuit you will need more lead than just the 5 lbs the plate provides. Most wear a belt. This belt can be worn outside the crotch strap, if ditching is most important to you. (You may want to rethink when and why you might ditch) I use a XSscuba pouch type belt under my crotch strap. If I should ever need to ditch weight I have the option to drop 3-4 lbs at a time.

Hope this helps. Feel free to PM me.


Regards,



Tobin

 

[kidspot]

While there are a few folks who really like their BP/W setup there are also a few (I've come across 3-4 on the board so far) who found they did not like it. So trying one out first is a great option. I for one loved it the instant I switched. I felt like I'd taken off my suit coat and tie and put on a t-shirt.

As to weight, you keep enough on your belt so that "if" at the beginning of your dive you had a wing failure (highly unlikely) and your wetsuit was compressed at depth, you could ditch enough weight to swim up your rig. For most folks this is 8lbs or less with and AL 80. I keep 8lbs on a belt and the rest integrated into my bp. I keep my weight belt under the crotch strap (though some would say this is unsafe) and was glad the other day when the buckle popped open. I didn't lose it because my harness kept it from falling off so I could refasten it. I was at the surface at the time, but had it been at depth that would have caused me to lose control of my buoyancy and sent me to the surface unintentionally. I have practiced removing it for emergencies when I may need to ditch it and it's not that difficult, just need to get used to doing it a little differently.

Aloha, Tim

 

[Corigan]

While there are a few folks who really like their BP/W setup there are also a few (I've come across 3-4 on the board so far) who found they did not like it.

Very true Tim. I have a buddy who has 1000's of dives, into deep technical wreck diving, an instructor, and he definately does not like the BP/W. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

Matt

 

[GLOBALflyer]

I saw a BP and single tank adapter on one of the web site (the one with the hot bikini chic) for around $100. How much can you get the full set-up including a 30# wing? Does LesuirePRO have the best deal? What is your setup?
thx

 

[Quaff King]

The hot bikini chick has got it right. Thats the best deal you are going to find out there.
Hammerheadscuba.com
Throw an ocycheq or dive rite wing on that bad boy and you're diving.