Whats wrong with the Scubapro X-Tek Pure

[RJP]

I just want something that is good and will last.

I am sure this wont be my last bp/w...

Do note that there's no reason it COULDN'T be your last one. (Do yourself a favor and buy your LAST one first.)

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I'm LMAO!
It used to be there were only about three companies making those flat doubles plates, now there are over a dozen. And everybody is arguing which one to get just like they used to argue about which jacket to get. Listen to yourselves, you're no better!
If you were to do a blind dive test and not be allowed to know which BP/W you were diving you wouldn't be able to tell one from the other.
All you guys make such a huge deal about the silliest little details about them. In the big picture that minutia doesn't matter, who's got the shiniest, who's is bent more, who's has an H, who's is this, who's is that.
The point is they're all FLAT, and they're all stainless (at least in this conversation).
Just buy one!

 

[Pullmyfinger]

Lol! Good one!

This is nothing compared to the weight lifting belt discussions that take place on strength forums.

 

[eelnoraa]

Yes, you should talk to the ladies about diamonds.

 

[ams511]

To clarify Johnson Outdoors, the owner/parent of ScubaPro, is not a sub of any other company - it's a public listed company on the NASDAQ under the symbol JOUT as said by Cert above.

Many also confuse JOUT with Jarden or say ScubaPro is owned by Jarden. That's incorrect - very different companies. Jarden is a separate, much larger and more diversified public company.

Just to clarify, a company can be publicly listed and still be a subsidiary of another company. All that is required is more than 50% stock ownership. I was technically incorrect to refer to them as a subsidiary, however the Johnson family does own either directly or indirectly over 50% of the stock of the corporation. The top officers are members of the Johnson family. So while not a true subsidiary they are related very closely to S.C. Johnson.

---------- Post added February 20th, 2015 at 01:34 AM ----------

I was gonna go to Leisure Pro this week to look at BP/Ws. They are just 20 mins. from me. Im not sure what im gonna get anymore. I do love hearing what people have to say. I have a lot to think about now. I am probably over thinking, I tend to do that. But i think that is part of the fun in buying new toys. I thank everyone here for there advice. My LDS didnt have much to say on the subject. I feel bad not buying from them (They are great people) but they wanted to sell me the most expensive BP/W they could find. It was over 900 dollars and i didnt want to spend that much.

Back to your original question. There is not a lot of information on Scubapro BP/W because they are late comers to the party. Originally BP/W were considered tech divers equipment and were product niche that main stream dive manufacturers ignored. You had companies like Dive Rite, OMS, Halcyon, and some others as the pioneers of the trend. If you wanted a custom plate you came to Scubaboard and ordered from Fred T and others. As time went on other companies like DSS, Oxycheq and others started selling BP/W. Once it became fashionable then some of the larger equipment manufacturers because selling them. Oceanic has the Hollis brand, Aqualung uses Apeks, and Scubapro revived the Xtec name.

Scubapro markets themselves as a premium brand and charges higher prices which lowers their sales. Generally, Scubapro does have a good reputation for customer service, regardless of its ownership structure.

I do agree with Eric (he makes plates) that commercial plates are more similar than different. There really is not all that much that justifies one plate selling for $50 and another selling for over $200. To me the main difference is in the wing.

 

[RJP]

Lol! Good one!

This is nothing compared to the weight lifting belt discussions that take place on strength forums.

Stop by TimeZone.com and join one of the rousing "Rolex Submariner vs Omega Seamaster" or "Patek vs Lange" debates. There should be another one starting in 15min or so.

 

[KevinNM]

I feel bad not buying from them (They are great people) but they wanted to sell me the most expensive BP/W they could find. It was over 900 dollars and i didnt want to spend that much.

That's more then the top of the line Halcyon Infinity at $899, so yeah, seems overpriced.

The advantage of buying from someone local is that they can help do the setup for you. You can set it up by that reading articles on-line and it will be diveable, but it is a lot easier to work with someone in person who is knowledgeable to do that setup and you will probably get a better result much faster.

 

[ripman3]

I agree with you Kevin. But im not gonna buy something that i think is way over price just so they can show me how to use it. Like i said before, i like my LDS but im not gonna get ripped off. When i do get my BP/W i hope they understand. I am a good customer and i bought all my gear there up till now. I hope i would be able to ask them to help. But who knows.

 

[ams511]

I am curious, what brand of BP/W is it?

 

[ripman3]

AMS it was the Scubapro X-TEK FORM TEK SYSTEM. i didnt know anything at that time but i knew i didnt want that.