TheOldPilot
Registered
Hi Friend,
I'm putting together my first BP/W system and looking for a back plate to pair with a DGX S1 Gears Singles Singles Wing (DGX Gears S1 Singles Wing). My goal is a lightweight travel oriented rig focusing on simplicity, durability, and value (I know there are lighter wings and lighter back plates, but I'm not a hardcore minimalist and spending significantly more just to save a few ounces isn't in my playbook). I only plan on doing "shallow", warm-water diving (reefs, etc.) to recreational depths.
I searched through the forum and couldn't locate much on either of the two back plates I'm looking at, so I'm hoping folks here could give me some info if they have first/second-hand knowledge or experience...it not with these exact products, soft vs. hard back plate experience would be helpful. Two main questions I have concern the following:
1. I've come across two instances of people saying the soft plates are unnoticeable compared to hard, but I would think that not true or soft plates would command a much higher market share.
2. Would the shape of the aluminum plate listed below impact user experience? Again, if this were not true, would we not see such a design more?
What I'm looking at:
Mares XR Backplate Soft (Soft Backplate | Mares)
XS Scuba Aluminum Travel Backplate (Aluminum Travel Backplate — XS Scuba - Everything For The Perfect Dive)
Appreciate any thoughts you have. Thanks!
I'm putting together my first BP/W system and looking for a back plate to pair with a DGX S1 Gears Singles Singles Wing (DGX Gears S1 Singles Wing). My goal is a lightweight travel oriented rig focusing on simplicity, durability, and value (I know there are lighter wings and lighter back plates, but I'm not a hardcore minimalist and spending significantly more just to save a few ounces isn't in my playbook). I only plan on doing "shallow", warm-water diving (reefs, etc.) to recreational depths.
I searched through the forum and couldn't locate much on either of the two back plates I'm looking at, so I'm hoping folks here could give me some info if they have first/second-hand knowledge or experience...it not with these exact products, soft vs. hard back plate experience would be helpful. Two main questions I have concern the following:
1. I've come across two instances of people saying the soft plates are unnoticeable compared to hard, but I would think that not true or soft plates would command a much higher market share.
2. Would the shape of the aluminum plate listed below impact user experience? Again, if this were not true, would we not see such a design more?
What I'm looking at:
Mares XR Backplate Soft (Soft Backplate | Mares)
XS Scuba Aluminum Travel Backplate (Aluminum Travel Backplate — XS Scuba - Everything For The Perfect Dive)
Appreciate any thoughts you have. Thanks!