Trying to go full SS backplate

Chuckitall · Jun 27, 2014

Bought a XT Dive Rite plate, the one with all the cutouts. Usually use soft pacs harness for last several years. I'm 6' 3" and I set the plate up with an XL Transplate harness. No water or dives on it yet. 2 ??? I can barely touch the top of the plate with fingers, but am concerned that the waist strap is fully 2 to 3 inches above my belly button. Seems high, but would hate to lower the plate on my back. Is this normal for regular size plates?

tstormdiver · Jun 27, 2014

Sounds like you need an extra long plate. They are out there, but difficult to find. My tech instructor is about the same height as you & needed a longer plate because of lower back issues. He had a machine shop add another 3- 4" of SS to the bottom of his. It was expensive, but the shop did an excellent job welding & molding the extension to his plate.

rhwestfall · Jun 27, 2014

yep, that plate is likely too short.... Joint the club.

If you are diving something like an AL80 or an HP 100, you could really raise the tank, but I will say that a long plate can really make a pleasant difference. Regrettably, there aren't many choices. I am only aware of DSS having "standard production" models in long and x-long. I happen to own 2 longs (one kydex and one SS) and an x-long (ss). It wasn't until I tried one, that I realized how ill-fitting my past equipment had been.

There is going to be some "sticker shock" when you find them, though one occasionally pops up in the classifieds, and there was an unbelievable deal a few weeks back of a full set-up...

OtherHalf · Jun 27, 2014

I'm 6'6" and I'm using a standard plate. I tried lengthening the waist belt and shortening the crotch strap to pull the middle of the waistband down but went back to normal. The waist band high never bothered me. I can still do valve drills on my doubles. Why the concern with having the waist strap above belly button?

Tony387 · Jun 27, 2014

Deep Sea Supply makes a longer backplate for taller divers. As an aside, the waist strap should ride above the belly button on a bp/w, rather than on the hips.

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snowmaker · Jun 27, 2014

Diving isn't like hiking, you want the waist strap higher.

Since your 6' 3" you could use the extra long plate Tobin sells. Check out DDS. Their plate is a little more expensive, but I like how they are designed myself. Really though you should be able to make you regular plate work just comes down to whats comfortable for you.

https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?product=115

rhwestfall · Jun 27, 2014

Tony387:
As an aside, the waist strap should ride above the belly button on a bp/w, rather than on the hips.

Yes, but not at the bottom of your rib cage.... at 6'-7", most fit me like I'm Baby Huey.... long was fine for single tank, but X-long made it sit perfect for valve reach with doubles.

It does make a difference. You never know until you have experienced it....

Tony387 · Jun 27, 2014

Yes, the bottom of the rib cage is not good. I'm just a short guy, not something I have to worry about.

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Chuckitall · Jun 27, 2014

Guys, I really want this plate to work. I like the cutouts and less weight SS. I dive with steel tanks and usually use no weight with 5mm and extra vests. Don't need a solid SS plate and don't like aluminum.

TSandM · Jun 27, 2014

If you are diving a single tank, there really isn't any reason why you can't lower the plate until the waist band sits somewhere comfortable. The tank can then be raised in the cambands so that you can reach the valve. In doubles, you do not have this luxury, because you have to bolt the tanks to the plate.

Trying to go full SS backplate

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