Great new BP/W

[cib]

Thanks to much reading on this forum, I was persuaded that a DSS rig was the way to go. I ordered a Med SS BP and Torus 26 wing from DSS after much help from Tobin.

I received it today and have it all assembled (only took an hour even with adjustments).

I must say that it feels like excellent quality and very well designed. I love the way the wing is 'attached' to the plate.

I just have a couple of questions before it gets wet:

1. The harness feels very stiff. Is this likely to soften with use or is it necessary for the minimalist design?
2. I travel a lot for diving. Do you guys leave the cabman's on the BP or remove them for travel? I don't want to risk wearing out the rubber inserts by pulling the cambands on and off regularly. Also, how do you fold the wing (if at all)?
3. How tight should the crotch strap be?

Thanks (especially to Tobin and DSS!)

 

[ddmattos]

Give this a read for adjustments. BAUE How To Size a Backplate

 

[cib]

Thanks ddmattos - I used that to try and size the new BP but when sizing the crotch strap, using this guide, it feels too loose. It felt like it really wasn't going to be of any use.

 

[tbone1004]

webbing will soften up a bit, you want the crotch strap softer than the harness but the harness has to be relatively swift to get it on and off easily.

The BAUE guide for the crotch strap does leave it a bit loose, but you don't want it terribly tight either and it does work quite well. If you feel like it is rising off of your back, just tighten it a bit, it's not perfect for everyone, so some adjustment is required.

Just leave the cam bands in, and the wing will fold itself when you put it in, make sure it is plate down wing on top, you won't damage it

 

[Lorenzoid]

DSS uses stiff webbing. It's just the way it is. You will get used to it.

I leave the cambands on for air travel. I fold the wing (Torus 26) over on itself once and put it in my luggage. DSS shipped it to me folded that way, so I have to believe folding it is not harmful.

I, too, felt my crotch strap was so loose that it wouldn't do any good, but my instructor confirmed it was adjusted correctly--it will seem loose to a person who is not familiar with BP/W rigs.

 

[cib]

Great - I'll be able to test it out next week in Cyprus on the Zenobia wreck - Looking forward to it!

 

[cool_hardware52]

Thanks to much reading on this forum, I was persuaded that a DSS rig was the way to go. I ordered a Med SS BP and Torus 26 wing from DSS after much help from Tobin.

I received it today and have it all assembled (only took an hour even with adjustments).

I must say that it feels like excellent quality and very well designed. I love the way the wing is 'attached' to the plate.

I just have a couple of questions before it gets wet:

1. The harness feels very stiff. Is this likely to soften with use or is it necessary for the minimalist design?
2. I travel a lot for diving. Do you guys leave the cabman's on the BP or remove them for travel? I don't want to risk wearing out the rubber inserts by pulling the cambands on and off regularly. Also, how do you fold the wing (if at all)?
3. How tight should the crotch strap be?

Thanks (especially to Tobin and DSS!)

Thanks for the kind words. You want stiffer webbing for the main harness. Soft webbing will roll as you try to put on the harness. Do take a look at the how to video's on the DSS website.

Tobin