What is a BP/W?

[db83]

Can someone explain to me how a BP/W works? What are the components, how do they connect, etc?

[navyhmc]

There are basically 3 parts to a BP/W configurationL

The plate-usually stainless steel (heavy) aluminum (lighter) or Composite ($$ but lighter still)

A Harness-One piece Hogarthian seems to be the preferred but there are other harness packs that are somewhat easier to use than a hog, but have more potential fail points.

A wing-a back inflate BC that usually looks like...well, a wing.

There are a lot of links that will give you more info, or do a search here on the forum (the search engine is your friend!)

Also, look here: Scuba Diving BCDs Back Plate & Wing with reviews on sale for all the Scuba Toys has to offer in the BP/W category.

[navyhmc]

How it works is just like any other BCD.

They are intended to help you maintain horizontal trim easier. For the most part, there are a lot less bells and whistles on a bp/w. Bp/w's kind of started in the tec community, but a good number of rec divers like them as well.

[db83]

So is it just like a self built rig? It's just more customizable? What about size wise? Is it bigger? smaller than a regular BCD? More expensive to set up or cheaper?

[crandf]

So from the scubatoys store, it seems that a BP/wing set can be gotten for approximately USD240-263?
ie
1) Oxycheq Ultralite Backplate (USD48)
2) Speed Harness(USD12) OR Dive Rite Basic Harness(USD35)
3) Oxycheq Razor wing(USD180)

Is that right? Is this a good setup? What is considered a good BP/w for that matter?
And are there anything else essential that must be added, other than loops, rubber bands, weight pouches etc?

[CompuDude]

Generally, if you need any extra weight with a bp/w, you can either use a weighted STA, various forms of channel weights, or something as simple as threading weight pouches onto the waist straps if you only need a small amount of weight, or you simply wear a weight belt with the rig.

A bp/w can cost more than, the same as, or less than, a traditional BC, it all depends on the options (and brand name... just like with anything in life, the higher end brands cost more). A standard BC may cost $200-400, and you can sometimes find them for less if you get a closeout sale or a super-duper deal. You can also spend a lot more on high end options... the ScubaPro KnightHawk and the Zeagle Ranger both cost over $600, generally... the high end Zeagle Ranger LTD model can hit $800. Similarly, you can piece together a used backplate and harness (because a used slab of steel and 2" nylon webbing don't really function ANY worse than a new slab of steel and 2" webbing) with an inexpensive wing, like the HOG 32# wing for ~$250-300, or you can blow a huge amount of dough on shiny new top-of-the-line all-new Halcyon gear, hitting $600-800 without too much difficulty. DeepSeaSupply sells HIGHLY respected complete rigs for $450, with everything the cold water diver needs (and brand new). So it all depends on what you want to spend.

To me, an optimal bp/w rig consists of either on of the all-inclusive DSS rigs (the $450 one I mentioned above), or:

1. Any good steel backplate. Ex: OxyCheq, DiveRite, DSS, Halcyon, Hammerhead, etc.
2. Any Hogarthian harness (like the DiveRite Basic harness), plus a crotch strap (if not included with the harness)
3. An STA (single tank adapter... not 100% required but many prefer it) if you're diving single tanks (as opposed to twins/doubles)
4. Cam Bands (2), if you're diving single tanks
5. An appropriately-sized wing... usually in the 30# range for all but the warmest waters (singles) or the 40-50# range for doubles (but if you're diving doubles, you already know what you need). One of the best/most popular is the OxyCheq Mach V 30# wing, for singles.

[db83]

What's more popular? BCD or BP/W?

[ektess1]

BCDs are more popular because they are aggressively marketed.
You find people going from BCD to wings regularly. You don't find many going from a wing to a BCD.

[snagel]

Most of the people I know who stay into diving eventually go to the bp/w setup. Others can give you better specifics.

This seems to be a common issue - Do I invest in the the bp/w setup now or later?

Snagel

[mm2002]

What originally attracted me to the BP/W rig was the comfort, and how secure the rig felt on me compared to the BCDs I'd tried. The clincher was the endless possibilities for setting it up the way I liked it. BCDs have limitations, BP/Ws do not.