Hi,
First of all, I live in the middle of the desert, and there aren't any local dive stores. The nearest one is 400 KM away. So I can't bring a weighing scale and check the weight.
I am looking to buy a BP/W combination, and given where I live, I would have to fly to any dive location, which is why I am looking for the lightest possible combination.
I usually dive using a 3mm shortie, and about 5-6 kg weights depending on the equipment I carry, since I sometimes dive with a camera and strobe.
I would not need weight pouches, as I can rent a best and weights wherever I dive.
I figured I am OK with the about 20-30lb lift capacity. I know that higher lift capacity means more material, means heavier wing.
I would only want to have 2 D rings, one for the camera and another for the light. Are there strong aluminium D rings? Or Titanium ?
Aluminium back plates seems to be the way to go, but I am wondering if there any any other options, and would a Steel travel back plate be actually lighter ?
I am guessing the Hogartians or the single belt straps must be the lightest solution but I think I would need a chest strap and a crotch strap to make the BCD stable. Not sure if this can be done with the single belt strap.
I have been checking DRIS, DiveInn and DiveStock and am not sure what would actually make a light BP/W combination. So I am hoping someone had put together a light BP/W combo and would be willing to share their research.
Thanks
First of all, I live in the middle of the desert, and there aren't any local dive stores. The nearest one is 400 KM away. So I can't bring a weighing scale and check the weight.
I am looking to buy a BP/W combination, and given where I live, I would have to fly to any dive location, which is why I am looking for the lightest possible combination.
I usually dive using a 3mm shortie, and about 5-6 kg weights depending on the equipment I carry, since I sometimes dive with a camera and strobe.
I would not need weight pouches, as I can rent a best and weights wherever I dive.
I figured I am OK with the about 20-30lb lift capacity. I know that higher lift capacity means more material, means heavier wing.
I would only want to have 2 D rings, one for the camera and another for the light. Are there strong aluminium D rings? Or Titanium ?
Aluminium back plates seems to be the way to go, but I am wondering if there any any other options, and would a Steel travel back plate be actually lighter ?
I am guessing the Hogartians or the single belt straps must be the lightest solution but I think I would need a chest strap and a crotch strap to make the BCD stable. Not sure if this can be done with the single belt strap.
I have been checking DRIS, DiveInn and DiveStock and am not sure what would actually make a light BP/W combination. So I am hoping someone had put together a light BP/W combo and would be willing to share their research.
Thanks