Has Anyone Tried This BP/W From Dive Gear Express?

[Jevets]

I've been diving that BP/W package from DGX for the past two years in the tropics without a STA. No wobbling tanks and no significant wear.

Check the strap slots in the BP, a couple of the slots in mine (aluminium BP) had sharp edges that were easily fixed in a couple of minutes.

 

[WarrenZ]

I have found sharp spots on a lot of backplates it happens most of the time it isnt an issue but I have hit a couple with a dremmel if I was worried about it.

 

[seeker242]

You don't need an STA with this setup. It's designed to be used without one. It doesn't wobble without one.

 

[stuartv]

And if you tried it and decided you DID want more stability for the tank, you could go with the OMS soft STA for $15.

OMS Soft STA Stabilizing Adapter | Dive Gear Express®

 

[KevinNM]

I've got one of the DGX doubles wings and it seems fine so far after a few dozen dives.

 

[Oldbear]

Thanks everyone...this is seems to be a nice way to start diving without breaking his budget.

 

[turnburglar]

Im also considering this BP/W and have a question for the forum:

Is the 25b wing sufficient for my needs?

Travel: 3mm, AL80

Local: 7mm, AL80-HP100, salt and fresh water

 

[Oldbear]

For Travel yes...

For Local yes you should be as you are right on the edge. You will want to do the weight calculations...

Steve Lewis has a great discussion on this in his book Six Skills and Other Discussions for Technical Divers.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Six-Skills-Other-Discussions/dp/098122802X

 

[turnburglar]

"for local your right on the edge"

is there another source you can point me too for figuring out how much lift I need? I (mis)read recently that if properly weighted you shouldn't need much more lift than your tank is negative. IE if I am diving a HP100 at -9 pounds a 25lb wing should suffice if I am not over weighted with everything else.

I do carry a safety sausage for signaling as well as redundant floatation in the event of a BC failure. I just don't want to spend cash only to figure out I should have bought something else down the road.

 

[dmaziuk]

"for local your right on the edge"

is there another source you can point me too for figuring out how much lift I need? I (mis)read recently that if properly weighted you shouldn't need much more lift than your tank is negative. IE if I am diving a HP100 at -9 pounds a 25lb wing should suffice if I am not over weighted with everything else.

How much lead do you need to sink your 7mm? -- that's [upper limit on] how much lift you'll need at depth when the suit compresses and loses buoyancy.