Looking for advise on BB&W purchase

I dive with my own Pressed Steel HP120 but must also be able to dive with rental aluminum 80s. I use a 7 mil semi-dry wetsuit for relatively cold water and a 2.5 mil for relatively warm. Currently using a SeaQuest Balance that I’m not unhappy with, I just want more flexibility.

Hope to get a wetsuit next year to dive in Lake Superior.

With the HP120, 7 mil, in fresh water I use 26 pounds of weight.
With the HP120, 2.5 mil, in salt water I have also been using 26 pounds of weight.

So I think SS backplate is the way to go, as I can drop 6 pounds to compensate.

The following is what I think I need/want, any advice is appreciated:


*36 lbs. Pioneer MC System with stainless steel backplate Single tank wing, backplate with Secure Harness and Storage Pak, integrated single tank mounting system

*Adjustable crotch strap w/ front and rear D-Rings

*20 lbs. Active Control Ballast System, 10 pounds per side

*Knife Pocket

*Trim Weight Pockets (pair, 5lbs. max each)

Thanks in advance for any help,
Mike

You may not need the trim weights. There was a discussion of their usefulness here within the last couple weeks which you might find interesting. I'll see if I can't dig it up.

Edited to add: here ya go

Otherwise, your list sounds fine.

Somewhere I saw a post that the capacity of the ACB was 10# per side only when using a single 10# weight. two 5#'s would not fit. Check it out.

As for trim pockets, you might not need them with a SS BP. I suspect most divers are using them with softpacks/plastic hardpacks to get the same effect on trim as a SS BP. OTOH are you trying to put 10# in trim pockets, 6# in the BP and leave only 10# total for the ACB? That might work, or it might leave you top heavy and prone to tip over on your back with the steel 120. Just a thought...

a heavy SS plate from fredt and lose some more weight from your waist. It would also give you more room in the acb to fit the weights.

Mike