moparmandjh
Contributor
This may be the wrong place for this, but here it goes. I am interested in trying a backplate setup. What all is needed? How do you attach weight?
Dave
Dave
Backplate and wing
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On the Dive Rite harnesses it is possible to attach weight pockets.
I have only used an Apex wing and harness other than that and I used a weight belt with that one
I have only used an Apex wing and harness other than that and I used a weight belt with that one
Pauly854
Contributor
Any place is the right place for this. Prepare to be bombarded!:nuke:
halocline
Contributor
This topic sounds familiar....has it ever come up before? 
There are literally dozens of threads archived, so you have plenty of reading material....basically you need a plate (steel, AL, or plastic) a wing, (air cell) a harness, (plain webbing is my preference) cambands, and for weight you can use a belt, a separate weight harness, or put weights in pockets on the waist belt and/or on the cambands.
Search and ye shall find.
There are literally dozens of threads archived, so you have plenty of reading material....basically you need a plate (steel, AL, or plastic) a wing, (air cell) a harness, (plain webbing is my preference) cambands, and for weight you can use a belt, a separate weight harness, or put weights in pockets on the waist belt and/or on the cambands.
Search and ye shall find.
OP
moparmandjh
Contributor
Sorry for not searching first, I was at work and my phone doesn't search well. I will search asap, and sorry about the newb post.
GrumpyOldGuy
Contributor
The search engine is not very good on SB, best of luck to you on that. You may need to resort to google.
Keep in mind, the BP/Wing is customizable to the extreme. When you are ready to ask questions, get real specific on what you want. There are lots of divers just waiting to answer your questions but without specifics you will be overwhelmed with info and opinions.
- Cold or warm water
- Do you fly to you dives or local only
- Do you want KISS (keep it simple, stupid) or all the bells and whistles
- Do you like belts, harnesses or integrated weights
- Are doubles in you future or keeping to singles
- Are you on a budget
OP
moparmandjh
Contributor
Thanks Grump I will try to be more specific. If more info is needed please let me know.
Water temps range from 42-85 degrees. Fresh water.
Local diving.
Pretty simple, at the most clip on my spg, light, and a safe 2nd.
Prefer integrated weights but don't mind strapping on a belt.
Single tank only.
On a budget is an over statement.
If you are on a tight budget, do a search on this board for the Zeagle Expess Tech. A bunch of us use it and compelte it's well under $275 as long as you don't get the delux models.
halocline
Contributor
That zeagle express is not a backplate/wing, although I'm sure it's a quality product and the price is right. One of the fundamental advantages of a BP/W is a rigid backplate that couples the cylinder to the diver's back. No soft pack can do that in the same way.
For single tank only, there are two 'budget' options that come to mind, one is sort-of budget, the other really budget. The sort-of would be a freedom plate with oxycheq wing (or any single tank wing, to be honest). The really budget would be a used jet-harness plate, which is a flat plate that works well with the dive rite travel wing. I have one, I used it for years, now mostly I use the freedom plate for single tanks. Jet harness went out of business so you'd have to find one used, but they're around.
Other than that, check around for specials. Caveadventurers.com has some good package deals; sometimes you have to call them to get the specifics, but you can get a dive-rite or oxycheq plate, oxy wing, webbing harness, and cambands for a good price, probably under $400.
For single tank only, there are two 'budget' options that come to mind, one is sort-of budget, the other really budget. The sort-of would be a freedom plate with oxycheq wing (or any single tank wing, to be honest). The really budget would be a used jet-harness plate, which is a flat plate that works well with the dive rite travel wing. I have one, I used it for years, now mostly I use the freedom plate for single tanks. Jet harness went out of business so you'd have to find one used, but they're around.
Other than that, check around for specials. Caveadventurers.com has some good package deals; sometimes you have to call them to get the specifics, but you can get a dive-rite or oxycheq plate, oxy wing, webbing harness, and cambands for a good price, probably under $400.
chrpai
Contributor
I think that for single tank divers without a need for a lot of weight, a Zeagle ET (with the basic harness) is so close to being a BP/W that it's kind of pointless to pick it apart as not being one. For warm water Florida divers who don't need much weight, if any, it's a great choice. For someone in Missouri needing more weight.... probably not.
Now I bought my Stainless Steel BP/W a month ago and like you I went thought the who "how do I get my weighting and trim right" phase? Well, here is what I discovered for myself (as in YMMV ).
I hadn't dove in years in it used to be in a 2pc 3mil in fresh water with an AL80 I needed 18 lbs. I was switching to a 5/3 hooded vest with a 3/2 full suit and to a BP/W. I bought 2 4's and 2 3's (14lbs) of weight and a weightbelt. I also bought some tank strap trim pockets and borrowed a bunch of 2's and 1's from a friend.
So I put the BP/W on and did my NB checks in the pool. I came away thinking that I needed the 2 3's in the front (6lbs). Well, dive a couple weeks and I realize I only need 3. I also realize I have a tendency to roll left when I completely relax and go motionless. So I moved the 3 lbs to my trim pockets. 1lb on the left and 2lbs on the right.
Now I'm starting to think that I need only 1lb on the right. I'm going to do a couple dives tomorrow and see how that goes.
So in other words, it turns out I don't really need the weight or weight belt and then just a couple pounds can be easily placed on the traps. The stainless steel backplate really did get close to where I needed.
Now I bought my Stainless Steel BP/W a month ago and like you I went thought the who "how do I get my weighting and trim right" phase? Well, here is what I discovered for myself (as in YMMV ).
I hadn't dove in years in it used to be in a 2pc 3mil in fresh water with an AL80 I needed 18 lbs. I was switching to a 5/3 hooded vest with a 3/2 full suit and to a BP/W. I bought 2 4's and 2 3's (14lbs) of weight and a weightbelt. I also bought some tank strap trim pockets and borrowed a bunch of 2's and 1's from a friend.
So I put the BP/W on and did my NB checks in the pool. I came away thinking that I needed the 2 3's in the front (6lbs). Well, dive a couple weeks and I realize I only need 3. I also realize I have a tendency to roll left when I completely relax and go motionless. So I moved the 3 lbs to my trim pockets. 1lb on the left and 2lbs on the right.
Now I'm starting to think that I need only 1lb on the right. I'm going to do a couple dives tomorrow and see how that goes.
So in other words, it turns out I don't really need the weight or weight belt and then just a couple pounds can be easily placed on the traps. The stainless steel backplate really did get close to where I needed.
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