Thinkin about BP & W - Input appreciated

[CPTOZZY]

I'm thinking about upgrading from my Vest BC to a back inflate. Since that would cost a few hundred $$ I'm thinking about taking it a step further to a Modular BP&W system that I could easily configure to my personal preferences including if I choose to dive doubles.
Currently I am not tech certified, but it's not out of the question....

Any opinions/advice?? gear preferences?

Thanks

[medic001918]

It's a personal choice that you're making. I dive a BP/W rig for singles and doubles and love it. You'd be hard pressed to get me to change to a jacket style BC. And I'm not a tech diver either. The simplicity of the design is fantastic. It has few parts that can fail. Another advantage is being able to lose some weight off your belt. The BP/W design by itself is more streamlined, as well as being negatively buoyantly. And you can add to the system like you mentioned. If you want to go from singles to doubles...change the wing (even though most people, myself included end up getting two complete rigs).
I don't think you'd be disappointed in going with a BP/W design. There are plenty of good manufacturers. Personally, I dive Halcyon rigs and have been quite pleased with them.

Shane

[BobbyWombat]

My advice would be to see if you could borrow or rent a BP/W and give it a test drive. I wound up renting one from my LDS and that answered a lot of questions for me. Mostly I just was more comfortable understanding what to expect from my investment in buying a new setup.

I made the choice to go with a BP/W because I liked the way it felt in the water (trimmed nicely), reduced the weight I had to carry, was streamlined (less drag), and was modular (no extra stuff I didn't need).

Oxycheq www.oxycheq.com gets high marks from folks on the scuba forums. I have a 30lb Oxycheq Mach V wing, and it is really nice. There is lots of information on the board...seems to be one of the favorites in general.

Other good manufacturers are Deep Sea Supply www.deepseasupply.com (commonly shortened to DSS in the forums). They are very helpful to talk to, and you should give them a ring. Be prepared to answer a bunch of questions about your ht,wt, eqpt and type of diving...but once they know this, they can point you in the direction of a good rig from them.

I've also seen/read good things about Golem Gear Golem Gear, Inc., but don't have any first hand experience with thier stuff.

A quick forum search will turn up multiple threads on WHY go to a BP/W (or back inflate) in the first place. So do a search if that is also what you are looking for.

Hope this helps. BW.

[Zenagirl]

I agree 100% that you really should try one before you buy. I was fitted into a BP/W by a tech diver friend and absolutely HATED how it felt, and it wasn't the backplate part I didn't like, it was how the webbing felt on my body, and when the tank was added....AAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKK! I knew that a BP/W was NOT for me. Fortunately, I have no intentions of ever diving doubles or getting into tech, so it's not an issue I have to force.

The longer I've been diving, the more convinced I am that it is so important to try all different types and configurations of gear before you decide. What is right for me isn't necessarily right for you, etc. Try as much as you can and find what works for YOU....don't let the hype of the internet try to tell you otherwise.

[Splitlip]

my $0.02.

I like Dive Rite plates. They are relatively flat and put my SINGLE cylinder 1/2" to 5/8" closer to my back then some other manufacturers. I find it easier to reach the valve especially if diving an 8" dia cylinder. I feel a bit more stable as well.
I think the plate profile would make storage of a bag behind it difficult, but I keep mine under the plate. Dive Rite makes a sleeve to attach under the plate and store the bag, or you can simply loop bungee or surgical tubing.

I like the Oxycheq Mach V wings for singles. They are very narrow and do not taco the cylinder. It makes controlling the gas bubble in the wing so much easier. Makes venting the wing more precise too IMO.

I prefer the simple "Hog" harness. A single piece of webbing that you adjust one time. Makes for a very stable rig. I can bend over and tie my shoes with a steel 98 on the rig. Can dance a jig too in full gear. (I did once on the boat deck while wearing force fins to demonstrate to my buddy the stability of the rig and ease of moving on a deck with the fins.)

[Black-Gorrilla]

Originally Posted by Splitlip

I like the Oxycheq Mach V wings for singles. They are very narrow and do not taco the cylinder. It makes controlling the gas bubble in the wing so much easier. Makes venting the wing more precise too IMO.

That is also my choice of wing for singles. Well made, and an awesome design that is super compact. i've seen some other single wings, and while they were nice (Halcyon is really nice, but the price is too high) none of them are as streamline in my opinion.

[CPTOZZY]

Can you mix and match between manufacturers ie: Dive Rite Back Plate, Oxycheq wing, Halcyon Harness etc?

What price range should I expect to pay?

Thanks guys / gals

[ianr33]

Originally Posted by CPTOZZY

Can you mix and match between manufacturers ie: Dive Rite Back Plate, Oxycheq wing, Halcyon Harness etc?

What price range should I expect to pay?

Thanks guys / gals

You can mix and match 100% if you use a Single Tank Adapter (STA). You MAY run into problems without an STA. I have a Halcyon singles wing that will not fit on a DiveRite plate as the slots for the Camstraps do not line up.

If you buy used you can get a complete setup for $300-400.

How much weight do you normally carry? Are you looking at a stainless plate (-6lbs) or an Aluminum plate (-1lb) ? Aluminum is cheaper and easier to travel with. Stainless gets more weight off your weightbelt.

Here's a screaming deal on a BP/Wing system
Aluminum BP, Hog Harness, Classic Wing special [bphhwingpkg] - $275.00 : Cave Adventurers!, We will NOT be undersold!!!

[Vercingetorix]

There are lots...LOTS...of threads on this board and ScubaBoard on this very topic. Begin your research there. I know this is not answering your question.

FYI...I dive a HammerHead steel backplate, GolemGear aluminum backplate and 35# GolemGear wing. GolemGear wings are tough and almost cut-proof. You can get a good deal during their current sale.

[lund0485]

I would definitely try to borrow or rent a BP/W before you buy, that being said I haven't met anybody that hasn't liked theirs yet. I do strictly rec diving and greatly enjoy the setup. You can get a bp/w setup for about the same price as a premium jacket style, I would recomend a new wing but you can save money with a used plate, also consider one the plastic plates as they are very nice and the price is great.