walkonmars
Contributor
Hi MaizeNBlue88,
I am in the process of looking to upgrading my jacket BC into a BP/W set-up, also. Your original post seemed to resemble a debate off topic so I will try to answer and ask additional questions pertinent to our search for BP/W systems.
1.) I suggest not considering a 316 CRES material over 304 CRES. For our usage, they will behave identically. If you want to hand down your BP to your great grandson someday, a 316 CRES plate will look shinier than the 304.
Science: (Do not read if you are tired) 316 has a slightly higher yield strength and tensile strength but the two alloys have the same elastic modulus and density. We will not be using the materials to their yield point (if so, they would be bent, deformed or stressed to a permanent extent). (If you were in your high-rise condo and there was a power failure while in the elevator and wanted to pry the elevator door open using your BP...the 316 CRES backplate may provide some advantage.) 316 is used much in the marine industry for extended exposure environments but more so in the chemical, food and industrial process industries for containment of chemicals, food, dairy and corrosive materials at extended durations and elevated temperatures. Aluminum BP are also used so the additional strength advantage is not a factor. I am buying the stainless due to weight properties. If a plate happens to be 316, great but consider it stainless. Don't consider 316 over 304.
2.) I am considering the DGX basic kit. I am unclear about what wing to get. According to the Dive Gear express description, I would be better off with the Voyager 35lb wing.
I am a 7mm wetsuit diver on the SoCal coast, 52F to 68F water temp. I usually wear 14lbs using a HP100 steel tank on a jacket BC rig. I also did the calculations using the spreadsheet "buoyancy estimate worksheet" and see I would likely need only a 25lb wing. Am I wrong?
3.) I also plan to clip a stage bottle under one arm someday. Will a bare bones BP/W allow me to add D rings and such to the shoulder web and belt to do this?
4.) Lastly, I wear a 7mm suit. Do I really need shoulder pads?
5.) I'm likely going cheap and buying the DGX Custom singles set-up kit from Dive Gear Express. It is described to accommodate singles but does not have a STA. Should I get one anyway?
Thanks for your inputs
(Side note: MAC users having trouble opening Excel files? Just download Open Office for free. It is similar to MS Office and is free shareware. [No, I don't work for the company.])
------Original post by MaizeNBlue88-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well thanks to you guys, I've seen the light. I have made an almost definite decision to get a BP/W setup. Right now I'm stuck on one thing though. Now I know there are a lot of people who are quite partial to a particular brand but I need some solid facts; or at least what you guys have seen from your experiences. Please don't inflate the truth to support a particular manufacturer either, I just need honesty.
Here's the thing, I'm currently considering getting a Dive Rite Stainless Steel XT Backplate as the platform for my setup. My thought is, because it's made of 316 stainless it will last longer with less degradation than many other brands that use 304 stainless. Also, it's the cheapest 316 stainless backplate that I've found. My questions are:
Does being made out of 316 stainless matter as much as I may be led to believe?
Are there better plates that I should consider? What is it exactly that makes these plates better?
What plates are going to be compatible with other manufacturers products like harnesses, wings, pads, weight pockets, etc.?
What plates, in your experience, have been the most comfortable; considering weight, contour, shape, hole layout, etc.?
Over the last few days I've looked at products/setups from Dive Rite, Apeks, DSS, Hollis, Halcyon, Oxycheq, HOG, and Zeagle. So far I've somewhat decided on the Dive Rite XT, but my decision is by no means set in stone. Please provide some info so that I can maybe give my fingers a rest from constant typing and searching for info. Thanks in advance guys.
I am in the process of looking to upgrading my jacket BC into a BP/W set-up, also. Your original post seemed to resemble a debate off topic so I will try to answer and ask additional questions pertinent to our search for BP/W systems.
1.) I suggest not considering a 316 CRES material over 304 CRES. For our usage, they will behave identically. If you want to hand down your BP to your great grandson someday, a 316 CRES plate will look shinier than the 304.
Science: (Do not read if you are tired) 316 has a slightly higher yield strength and tensile strength but the two alloys have the same elastic modulus and density. We will not be using the materials to their yield point (if so, they would be bent, deformed or stressed to a permanent extent). (If you were in your high-rise condo and there was a power failure while in the elevator and wanted to pry the elevator door open using your BP...the 316 CRES backplate may provide some advantage.) 316 is used much in the marine industry for extended exposure environments but more so in the chemical, food and industrial process industries for containment of chemicals, food, dairy and corrosive materials at extended durations and elevated temperatures. Aluminum BP are also used so the additional strength advantage is not a factor. I am buying the stainless due to weight properties. If a plate happens to be 316, great but consider it stainless. Don't consider 316 over 304.
2.) I am considering the DGX basic kit. I am unclear about what wing to get. According to the Dive Gear express description, I would be better off with the Voyager 35lb wing.
I am a 7mm wetsuit diver on the SoCal coast, 52F to 68F water temp. I usually wear 14lbs using a HP100 steel tank on a jacket BC rig. I also did the calculations using the spreadsheet "buoyancy estimate worksheet" and see I would likely need only a 25lb wing. Am I wrong?
3.) I also plan to clip a stage bottle under one arm someday. Will a bare bones BP/W allow me to add D rings and such to the shoulder web and belt to do this?
4.) Lastly, I wear a 7mm suit. Do I really need shoulder pads?
5.) I'm likely going cheap and buying the DGX Custom singles set-up kit from Dive Gear Express. It is described to accommodate singles but does not have a STA. Should I get one anyway?
Thanks for your inputs
(Side note: MAC users having trouble opening Excel files? Just download Open Office for free. It is similar to MS Office and is free shareware. [No, I don't work for the company.])
------Original post by MaizeNBlue88-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well thanks to you guys, I've seen the light. I have made an almost definite decision to get a BP/W setup. Right now I'm stuck on one thing though. Now I know there are a lot of people who are quite partial to a particular brand but I need some solid facts; or at least what you guys have seen from your experiences. Please don't inflate the truth to support a particular manufacturer either, I just need honesty.
Here's the thing, I'm currently considering getting a Dive Rite Stainless Steel XT Backplate as the platform for my setup. My thought is, because it's made of 316 stainless it will last longer with less degradation than many other brands that use 304 stainless. Also, it's the cheapest 316 stainless backplate that I've found. My questions are:
Does being made out of 316 stainless matter as much as I may be led to believe?
Are there better plates that I should consider? What is it exactly that makes these plates better?
What plates are going to be compatible with other manufacturers products like harnesses, wings, pads, weight pockets, etc.?
What plates, in your experience, have been the most comfortable; considering weight, contour, shape, hole layout, etc.?
Over the last few days I've looked at products/setups from Dive Rite, Apeks, DSS, Hollis, Halcyon, Oxycheq, HOG, and Zeagle. So far I've somewhat decided on the Dive Rite XT, but my decision is by no means set in stone. Please provide some info so that I can maybe give my fingers a rest from constant typing and searching for info. Thanks in advance guys.