calling out the BP/w-philes

[LeadTurn_SD]

I rarely post on this topic, but as a fanatic BP/W user, when I do post I always say:

Friends Don't Let Friends Buy Poodle Jackets!!!



Actually, I support whatever "floats your boat".

Best wishes.

 

[kanonfodr]

While I love my hog rog, and I'm slowly putting together another one for divers to borrow, I ultimately take the position of : "it all works."

I have seen guys in poodle jackets have infinitely better trim than I do, stir up less sand with their split fins, and even rescue another diver using an Air2. Gear is only a small part of the diving equation, its ultimately about the diver using the equipment.

Peace,
Greg

 

[RJP]

Let us be perfectly clear - I believe that BP/W is very likely a great solution for many divers. But please - show some discipline! If someone is asking about how to equalize pressure in their ears, don't suggest BP/W. Please?

I guess the problem I have with this thread is the "faulty premise" on which it is based.

Can you provide links to threads about snorkels and fins and equalization where someone has come way out of left field to recommend a BP/W as a panacea?

I can only surmise that there must be hundreds of examples, though I've not seen one.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Oh, I dunno. There are a wide variety of trolls. It's almost a disservice to lump them all into one group.

 

[docmartin]

I hear you and understand. But I have read so many posts by BP/W-philes that state that with a (SS) BP/W "your weight is precisely where it should be - on your back" that I would have thought that anything which didn't weight as much as SS would be disowned by the BP/W community for being too light and, as a result, the weight would not be precisely where it belonged.

I look forward to seeing myself burned in effigy tomorrow morning.

Have a good one, Cave Diver and others.

one of my pet peeves - the myth that a bp/w does not travel well. i travel with my SS bp all over the place.
1. it packs very small. the bp goes in the bottom of your carry-on and takes up no room. the wing rolls or folds to almost nothing. all told, it takes up less room than a standard BC.
2. the weight argument makes little sense. just do the numbers: a standard SS bp weighs 5-6lbs. add the d-rings and the wing. plenty of "standard" BCs weigh in at 7+ lbs. there are a few travel BCs that come with compromises and weigh less than 5lbs (excl. weight pockets). so the difference in weight between a standard BC and a bp/w setup is insignificant and in many cases the SS bp/w is actually lighter. not to mention that if you pack it into your carry-on, weight does not even matter because they do not weigh your carry-on except for a few flights to very exotic destinations on island hopper planes. in those cases you theoretically may have to pay for an extra 3-4lbs over the weight of the very lightest travel BCs. That's a very minor charge. it becomes outright ridiculous when put in perspective to the cost of a trip to such an exotic island locale.

 

[diver 85]

Huh???....must be some form of Canadian language I'm not familiar with......

 

[ScubaSteve]

Huh???....must be some form of Canadian language I'm not familiar with......

:huh: A little too all emcompassing .

 

[Crush]

...a standard SS bp weighs 5-6lbs. add the d-rings and the wing. plenty of "standard" BCs weigh in at 7+ lbs. there are a few travel BCs that come with compromises and weigh less than 5lbs (excl. weight pockets).

I was not aware of this - from my friends who dive BP/w I had assumed that the weight was on the order of #15+...

 

[ScubaSteve]

I am a big guy and am just making the switch from a very large poodle jacket to a SS plate/DR Wing and I would THINK (I have yet to dive the wing or weight both) that the wing is still slightly heavier but it is not near the difference that I thought it would be before. We think SS plate....MUST be heavy......my pooodle jacket is heavy. The new rig will pack MUCH NICER though. I will buy an AL plate for travel because I am a photographer (far from professional) and every pound counts.

I was not aware of this - from my friends who dive BP/w I had assumed that the weight was on the order of #15+...

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I would toss up the idea that there is a set of fundamental beliefs underlying BP/W vs W/I jackets.

On one hand, you have the manufactures who desperately want to differentiate their products and often do this my offering new "features". They go for newer, better, more features. Most of these features are junk in that they add unneeded complexity and/or address non-issues. The added complexity increases slightly the risk of gear failure and may or may not add anything to the diving experience.

On the other hand, you have the KISS based guys (often diving all in black) who want to keep all gear as simple and identical as possible. I have to admit, I am not a kool-aid drinking member of this clan, but they have some strong arguments and logic, just the sometimes they go get carried away to extremes.

I truly believe that if you plant yourself in either camp without thinking through the options, you are indeed a fool.

For Example: I know I can trim out in my poodle jacket, my back inflate or my BP/W because I have. In 3mm, there is not a huge difference, but I also know to do this in my poodle jacket in thick 7mm though requires distributing the lead between 2 weight pockets, a belt and 2 cam band pockets. Hopefully, I can get the lead in the correct increments when traveling. Hopefully, I can stuff all my gear including the over sized BCD and clothing in a 50lb duffel. Or I can just dump the weight in my DUI harness with my smaller BP/W. Both work fine, but the BP/W is a simpler solution and the added complexity of the jacket has no benefit for me and my diving. Might be different for someone else though.