Transplate vs other bp/w rig?

[zackalack8999]

I work for a Dive Rite dealer, and am trying to decide what kind of BC to get for Christmas. I am leaning towards a transplate with a rec wing, SS backplate, cam straps, and weight pockets. Is there anything else I need for a basic setup? I want to know if this is compatible with GUE standards, as I am considering taking the fundies course at some point. We are also a Zeagle dealer and I have seen a review for the Express Tech below. Are these at all comparable? We usually sell Rangers and Stilettos for males and Zenas for women so I have never seen one in person. From what I've seen, it doesn't look as heavy duty as the Dive Rite, but it is also substantially cheaper. I am pretty set on everything except for the transplate harness, which is where I need advice as it pertains to GUE standards. Also, is the concept of infinite adjustibility applicable to the transplate?
Thanks,
Zack

 

[Kern]

I work for a Dive Rite dealer, and am trying to decide what kind of BC to get for Christmas. I am leaning towards a transplate with a rec wing, SS backplate, cam straps, and weight pockets. Is there anything else I need for a basic setup? I want to know if this is compatible with GUE standards, as I am considering taking the fundies course at some point. We are also a Zeagle dealer and I have seen a review for the Express Tech below. Are these at all comparable? We usually sell Rangers and Stilettos for males and Zenas for women so I have never seen one in person. From what I've seen, it doesn't look as heavy duty as the Dive Rite, but it is also substantially cheaper. I am pretty set on everything except for the transplate harness, which is where I need advice as it pertains to GUE standards. Also, is the concept of infinite adjustibility applicable to the transplate?
Thanks,
Zack

Transplate harness, Rec wing & BP, & GUE. - No, Just get an Hogarthian (hog) rig for GUE. Get rid of the bungi (GCS) on the wing for GUE. For GUE I think you will require a solid metal/plastic BP.

PS.- No weight pockets either. Add a crotch strap.

 

[RJP]

I work for a Dive Rite dealer...

And you're asking strangers on the internet for advice?

or - I'm not sure which

 

[fnfalman]

I don't think that the Transplate harness adheres to GUE standards but that doesn't mean you can't do "technical" diving with it. Just ask the Dive Rite people what sort of dives they've done with the Transplate harness...chances are they've done things with their gears that most DIR divers can only fantasize about.

 

[zackalack8999]

It's good to get an unbiased opinion, obviously that's too much to ask and instead i receive a smartass comment. Thanks to you other two for being helpful. My shop isn't exactly involved in GUE so that's why I wanted to know from people who were more familiar with the program.

 

[carrielsal]

I recently transitioned to tech. In our area most LDS's are focused on recreational diving and the only rentals they carry are the poodle jackets. When I started tech diving with doubles I was convinced that a hog rig would be uncomfortable for me. I didn't know anyone who had a Transplate, but they looked pretty good. LP had them marked down pretty cheap, so I bought a Transplate the the backplate padding and I bought a hog rig.
The first day I used the Transplate. The first thing I noticed when I rigged my backup lights was that they covered the clips on the harness making adjustments difficult. Also, way too many d-rings that are not necessary. My initial thought was that the Transplate worked but appears to have some inherent issues with tech diving.
The next day I took out the hog setup. WOW, was I ever wrong. I had to make some adjustments to the harness, but I had no issues getting it on and off. The straps do not dig into my shoulders, and the backplate padding is totally unnecessary. I immediately fell in love with my hog rig. The Transplate has been sitting in my closet ever since.
I posted a more in-depth write-up on our local forum, http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/texas-swamp-divers/308703-my-transition-doubles.html.

Carrie

 

[halocline]

I think the rec wing will be a problem unless its your intention to use it with small doubles only. It is NOT a good single tank wing. For that, the only dive rite wing worth using is the travel wing. The venture wing is also way too big for single tank use, except I suppose with very unusual weighting requirements.

I never got the 'transplate' concept. For DIR/GUE, I believe the hogarthian concept is the guiding force, so you might do some research on that, and the first thing you'll notice is that simplicity is a very high priority. So, I would suggest that you get a standard backplate, one-piece webbing harness, and a wing for either single tank or doubles, depending on what you want to dive with. The dive rite plate and simple harness are fine, the rec wing is probably ok (remove the bungie as suggested) for doubles, then you need a singles wing. Since NESS is running a special on the new travel wing ($169) you might be able to get a similar deal at the shop you work for.

You'll have to decide about a steel vs AL plate, or get one of each, most of us BP/W users end up doing that. I use my steel plate with single AL tanks, and my AL plate with doubles and single steel. But, I dive in warm water, so I rarely need more than a few pounds of lead.

 

[japan-diver]

The transplate harness does not confirm to GUE standards nor does the Rec wing. Most of the Zeagle wings will not work either as they have some form of gusset control or bungy on them. The Dive Rite EXP Rec wing may be acceptable for GUE but I would check on that with your prospective instructor. You will also need to match the lift of your wing with the tanks used.

 

[fnfalman]

It's good to get an unbiased opinion, obviously that's too much to ask and instead i receive a smartass comment. Thanks to you other two for being helpful. My shop isn't exactly involved in GUE so that's why I wanted to know from people who were more familiar with the program.

If you want to take GUE courses then you'll have to rig up your gear to their configuration.

However, GUE isn't the only way to go. The Dive Rite people use their gears to do the nastiest technical dives that anybody can ever conceive of. Obviously, they know a thing or two about technical diving and if there were any "weak/failure" points on their adjustable Transplate harness, it would have popped up by now.

So, if you want to do GUE then you have to do GUE gear rigging. If you want to do technical diving and want to use the Transplate harness and other non-DIR hip gears then take a NAUI tech class or even Dive Rite themselves also teach tech diving. As an employee of a Dive Rite authorized sales store, you might even get discounts in training as well.

There's more than one way to skin a cat and you don't have to look all-black naval commando in order to learn how to do tech diving.

 

[zackalack8999]

is this the equivalent of a hog harness from diverite?
Backplate and Wings - Dive Rite Harness Systems - Dive Rite Hogarthian Harness - Northeast Scuba Supply