Help me choose a BP/W combo!

[feitr]

Hey guys,

Looking to move from a jacket BC to BP/W. Does anybody have experience with the Hollis s-series? I'm not exactly sure what lift i'd need (comes in 25 and 38). Most of my diving ranges between 5mm - 8mm wetsuit with a 12l steel (100cuft). Tank is about 5lbs negative full, about neutral at 50bar. I use about 6-10.5kg( 13lbs-23lbs) for 5mm-8mm. I don't know how buoyant my wetsuits are but using that weight guideline for the buoyancy calculator it says it is probably about 25lbs and i need about 30lbs lift.

Question I have about it tho - the "exposure suit at depth" has 0 as default but even at 30m (100ft) it must have some residual bouyancy no? If so how much would it have?

Anyways, basically trying to figure out if the s25 is enough or if i would need the s38, in which case i might have to look for something in between that range. Other question is regarding harnesses - do you guys normally go for a real basic set up, or more towards the deluxe versions with shoulder pads, etc.?

Any other suggestions about completely different set ups are welcome. Thanks!

 

[koozemani]

Call tobin at DSS. He won't steer you wrong and offers an excellent product.

 

[ddmattos]

Wayne at www.diveseekers.com or The Scuba Connection set me up. (908-359-1250) I use a solo harness with a SS plate and 38 lbs s series wing with a STA (two trim pockets on lower cam strap) for singles and a 60lbs wing for doubles. I chose the bigger single wing for those time I need to take my rig off when getting into smaller boats. It had no problem floating a 119hp tank and miscellaneous items.

Keep it simple. I only use two d-rings on the chest.

 

[diveprof]

+2 for Tobin at DSS. Another great priced Oxycheq package can be had from these folks:
Back Plate and Wings packages

 

[CT Sean]

I had to make the same decision as you a year or so ago. I went with the s25 because when I dive locally, I'm never anywhere near deep enough to worry about losing tons of buoyancy from my 7mm fullsuit (Even if I was I should be ok). I liked the reasonably compact size of the 25 and the 38 was bigger (both in lift and in size) than I needed.


I do like the Hollis wing, and my Hollis Al plate and harness were bought used, but if I were to do it all over and was buying new, I'd probably opt for DSS - I like their wing and plate designs.

 

[Teller]

Take a look at a 30lbs from Oxycheq. You wont be disapointed.

 

[buddhasummer]

I use and love Oxycheq Mach V wings have a 30lb and 18lb. If all my dive gear where to be stolen by aliens I would probably go with a complete DSS rig.

 

[nimoh]

I use a Halcyon with 30lbs of lift whether in my drysuit, 5mm or 3mm and have plenty of buoyancy and I dive steel 100s as well. I think I would be fine with 25lbs of buoyancy in the wing, since I never dive heavy.

 

[smorneau]

Bought a DSS rig in October with the weight plates it is the envy of my buddies. A+ for not needing a STA and having plates in several sizes is great for us shorter people.

 

[buddhasummer]

Bought a DSS rig in October with the weight plates it is the envy of my buddies. A+ for not needing a STA and having plates in several sizes is great for us shorter people.

Yes those DSS weight plates look the cats whiskers. I had a Halcyon weighted STA wasn't nearly as nice and upset my trim terribly.