I too just feel like typing. I agree with all of the post below. I have more than a couple hundred dives on a BC (Scubapro Classic, plus a dive here and there on regular shoulder-strap-adjustable BCs) and well more than a couple hundred dives on my BP/W setup--and I presently dive my BP/W setup. But I dive only single tanks, and typically dive four AL 80 tanks (used fully) in one day out on a boat--spearfishing. I dive with a group of spearfishermen, and we all change tanks, gear up, and jump in quickly. We hunt mainly in relatively low viz, peering into rock holes with dive lights--often in awkward upside down positions--in short, we are very active down there. Only me and one other guy--the only UW photograher in the group--wear a BP/W; he wears an old Jet Harness and travel wing (30 lbs), and I wear a Scubapro SS BP and a Halcyon 40lb eclipse (I don't need 40 lbs, but that's what I use); he wears a weight belt, and I use the smaller halcyon weight pockets, plus one XS Scuba pocket centered on the lower tank band (I also have another 2lbs with my halcyon STA). All the other divers use traditional BCs plus traditional weight belts.
In short, my rig is the most cumbersome, mainly because of the weight pockets, which I must remove each time I change tanks. Moreover, even w/o the weight pockets, my BP is heavier than a BC, and also because my STA uses two tank straps, I must change my rig on the boat floor and lay my rig on the boat floor. The other guys simply slide there one-tank-band BCs onto the tank while the tank is in its rack on the edge of the boat--so my rig is always rolling around on the boat floor with everyone tripping on it, while everyone else's rig is perched on the side of the boat. And if I install my weight pockets too soon, then the tank will roll to one side or the other, and possibly pinch the wing bladder. In short again, my buddies can be geared up and in the water faster and with far less effort than I can, so I am always gearing up earlier and taking a ribbing for being too enthusiastic rather than cool. Underwater, I like my BP/W, that's why I stick with it-- but a properly fitting minimalist BC would work just as well, and also offer more pockets for needed things. On the surface, I'm fine with my BP/W, even in choppy surf, but for long surface swims back to the boat using the snorkel, I'd rather be in the traditional BC, as the BP/W keeps my body a bit lower in the water and the inflated wing rides rougher on the surface.
One might say, why not just use a traditional weight belt with your BP/W? I wish I could, but at 5'5", I'm a bit too short to wear a weight belt without the BP pushing the weight belt down onto my hips. For someone tall, this would not be a problem--and I would recommend a traditional weight belt.
In short yet again, if you are a simple single tank diver, do yourself a favor and buy a simple but solid traditional BC--unless you like tinkering with something fun and a bit different. A BP/W is great fun, but it is no bargain and no better performing than a well-fitted, minimalist traditional BC.
My 2 cents.
I usually stay out of BP/ BC debates but for some reason I feel like typing. A good search will turn up a great deal of info but mostly it's BP users spouting the same logic. Most of what they say is true however there is a "yes but" that few ever attach so let me do so. Oh and yes I tried a BP and did not care for it, went back to my old BC.
Modular, this allows selecting a plate and wing appropriate to the application, and allows making changes when and if your application changes. Single tanks? Yes Doubles? yes again. Doubles and stages? sure no problem.
True but what you will find if you talk with BP users, they often own mulitple BP/wings set up for the vaious configs rather than changing between configs. The defeats the "buy only one' comment often made. At the price of wings, you can easily buy an inexpensive travel BC and a BP for doubles.
Allows easy replacement of any of the components.
Again, true but just how often do you actally replace a worn out BC? In addition there are BCs that allow you to change out components. Zeagle for one.
Moves 5-6 lbs up off your weight belt and onto your back. This often helps the diver get horizontally trimmed.
Or 3 lbs with an AL BP, many (most ?) BCs have trim pockets that allow the same thing....and your not stuck with one amount. Diving warm wet a SS BP will over weight me..actually an AL will also.
The back plate provides a stable platform / interface between the diver and cylinder.
This one I will agree with but for single tanks it not really that much of a big deal.
The harness is essentially infinitely adjustable.
So what? Most modern BCs have a fairly wide adjustment range. Unless I am loaning it to both kids and football players, why does it need to be "infinitely adjustable"? It's my BC, I dive it and rarely loan it out. When I do, I can adjust my BC very quickly, BPs take some effort to adjust and must be removed to do so. BPs are infinitely adjustable and also a real pain if you do.
No "hug" when inflated.
This assumes you are diving a jacket style BC, all back inflates (of which BPs are a subset) do not hug when inflated.
Often far less expensive than many "full featured" bc's
If you compair a BP to the "tech" bcs then this a fair statement, however many of us don't use or want one of the "tech" BCs...frankly if I was doing tech I would want a BP. If however, you compair features to features the the BP is on par and often more expensive than many BC's, esp if you use a SS back plate. Do a quick scan of Scubatoys and add up to cost. Be sure to include the cost of tank bands and pockets and weight belts and a STA if needed. Compair Halcyon equipment and the BP does not come close.
Crotch Strap allows the BP&W to remain stable, and not ride up at the surface.
And a crotch strap does the same thing on any BC....which is why my BC has one.
I don't dislike BPs, they are great pieces of equipment and if diving doubles they are by far the better choice. For single tank diving they will also so a fine job but a quality back inflate BC will do the job just as well plus add some creature comforts that many of us like. Quick easy adjustments, intergrated weights and a pocket or 2 for are really nice features I like on a BC...none of which a BP offer.
