AL or SS backplate?

juls · Oct 24, 2002

Hello everyone,

I dive SS backplate and wings in cold water. However, my warm water vacation in Coz is coming soon, and I wondered if I will be overweight using SS backplate. I will be doing most of the diving in 3 mm wet suit with AL80. Two dives will be using ST 95 or 120 tanks (with Living Underwater dive op), and two dives will be in cenotes. Last time in warm water I used 8 lbs of weight (with regular BC). Should I go ahead and order an AL backplate?

Thank you for your advice,

juls

nickjb · Oct 24, 2002

I take my Alu when travelling just because it is easier to carry. Depending on the plate if use SS then you will take around 5lbs off your belt. You wont be over weighted. It is just a matter of trim. Hard to say without trying it but I'd hav though less on your bely and more on your back would give better trim in a thin wetsuit with an Alu tank.

MechDiver · Oct 24, 2002

IMO the SS plate would be fine with alum tanks. You may be overweighted with the steel tanks, but not enough to really be a problem...hard to say unless you actually try it. I would not buy an alum BP.

Phil

juls · Oct 24, 2002

Thank you for advice. I will stay with my SS backplate and see how it goes!

Juls

filtered · Oct 25, 2002

I dive mainly using 3 mm wetsuit, and a SS plate is ok for use with AL tanks. Don't need any additional weights.

For use with twins however, its a bit too -ve. Better to use an AL plate.

Spectre · Oct 25, 2002

juls once bubbled...
Last time in warm water I used 8 lbs of weight (with regular BC). Should I go ahead and order an AL backplate?

I would say yes. I know I lost about 6 lbs going from my BC to my backplate [from the bouyancy differences between the BC and the wings/harness].

Do you have a STA?

juls · Oct 25, 2002

Spectre once bubbled...

Do you have a STA?

No, I have new Halcyon Pioneer wing and BP - I don't need STA.

Spectre · Oct 25, 2002

juls once bubbled...
No, I have new Halcyon Pioneer wing and BP - I don't need STA.

Ok. So no STA, so you're looking at 3 lbs with the BP you have. [8 lbs from before - 5lb BP].

Next question, How much weight did you drop when you moved from your BC to your BP/Wings in your cold water diving? For example, I had 30#, I moved to the BP/Wings and I adjusted to 18# + 9#plate + 1.7#sta. I started dropping weight off my belt and it quickly got to 12#. That's how I arrived at the 6# bouyancy swing between my BC and the Wings.

So if you have similar numbers, that would put you 3 lbs overweight with the SS BP. So depending on the bouyancy swing, you could be anywhere from 3 lbs over to 3 lbs under. A AL BP would be 1 lb to 7 lbs under.

So, do you care if you run the chance of being a little overweight? Is the chance worth the cost of the AL plate?

juls · Oct 25, 2002

I didn't dive with BC in cold water. I rented DiveRite Transpack and a BP/wings from the beginning - I wanted to see what I will like better since I needed a BC anyway. I liked BP/ wings (LOVED it) and bought my own. In dry suit in salt water I use 18lbs of weight but feel that I could go with less.

I guess the only way is to dive and see how I feel.

marco · Oct 27, 2002

I have a SS backplate and a steel tank. If i dive with nothing on (Maybe just a pair of shorts) i am just alightly overweighed, but not enought to be of any concern.

And no weightbelt needed !!!!!

AL or SS backplate?

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