How does a BP/W price compare to a standard BC?

[ParrotHead]

If I were considering a Zeagle (Escape, Ranger or Brigade) or a ScubaPro (KnightHawk), these would price between $400 and $600 (ballpark). Would a BP/W land north of the $600 mark? Could I be out the door for $500?

I appreciate that the BP/W is more of a custom built configuration, so I guess I have to get my brain around the materials list. Harness, Back Plate, Wings, Pockets, Weight System, etc.

I am interested in cold N/E diving and occasional travel to Florida. Single tank configuration (for now anyway). Has to fit over a 7mm wet suite (I'm a "Large").

Thanks for the advise...
-PH

[cgvmer]

Well if you look at golemgear.com right now you can get a doubles or singles bp/w setup for $390.00

[medic001918]

It depends on who you look to for products. There are plenty of options that will land you in your price range. I'm sure ST can put together something for you, or you can check www.golemgear.com which was mentioned, or I've heard good things about www.deepseasupply.com. They should both be in the price range. I think DSS has them for about $475 complete, and golem is about $400.

There are manufacturer's out there that will land you above the price range too. So look around.

The BP/W was one of the best investments I made in my diving. Since buying mine I've never looked back and my fiance has only dove in a BP/W. It really is a good set up that will allow you to grow as a diver.

Shane

[BSea]

I think if you bought everything at 1 time you would definitly be under $600. Most places have a complete set they'll sell for around $500. That would be for a standard setup. If you add a bunch of extra's, you could get the price up beyond $600 easily. Since ST matches prices, I'm sure they could put you something together from Dive Rite or Oxycheq that would be as good a deal as you could find anywhere else.

[WaterRat]

I've built a few rigs and you will most likely come in around $400 to $500 for a steel plate, standard hog harness and 1 wing. The real cost savings comes in when you gain or lose weight and it only costs you $15 to change out the harness or when you wake up one day and decide to dive doubles. When that day comes you just pick up a doubles wing (sometimes used for less than $200). You don't have to buy and learn a whole new rig because your diving adavanced.

Ron

[CompuDude]

Should be very easy to meet or beat the price of those high end BCs, especially with a simple harness that most bp/w divers prefer anyway.

Hint: One way to save some dough is to buy a used backplate. It's a solid slab of steel, so a 10 year old plate is really tough to tell from a 3 month old plate. Just add a new wing and you're in business!

Weight systems are pretty optional. Are you sure you need one? A lot of bp/w divers either don't need any extra weight, or need so little a weight belt becomes a much more viable option. You might want to give it a shot first.

[JahJahwarrior]

Yep, a new BP/W is cheaper than many new BC's I honestly don't see why shops try and sell BC's to people, almost everyone seems ot think the BP/W is better and more comfortable andholds resale value better.

And yes, GolemGear has a rig on sale for $390!

[Black-Gorrilla]

the more i read about these bp/w setups the more i want to spend money on one...
i might sell my BCD and buy one... and if i dont like it, then sell it and buy another BCD... but after so much rave over it, i doubt i will dislike it.

[medic001918]

I think you'll like it too. I'd be surprised if you go back to a regular BCD...provided you take the time to get your BP/W adjusted properly.

Shane

[plot]

I've never dove with anything but a bp/w so I can't really give any unbiased opinions on it. I do like how my bp/w is a few straps though instead of a bunch of other crap wrapped around you though. Just looks more comfortable than normal BCDs.