tceylan
Contributor
I'm looking into changing my setup to DIR in the future. Currently, I dive with single HP100 steel and AL80's with a zeagle ranger ltd using 7mm wetsuit/boots/hood. I'm a
recreational diver. But I want to do it right, comfortable and safe...
I weigh 176lbs and I use 14lbs with HP100. 4x2 lbs in weight pouches and 3x2lbs in trim pockets at the top tank belt. (I can possibly drop 2 more lbs, but my wetsuit
is new.)
My setup should also be OK with warm water diving as well as cold water (min 50F). I was looking into backplates and I see that there are steel and aluminum backplates.
For cold water, I think SS would trim better since it's about +6lbs, but for warm water (eg. 3mm shorties) this will make me significantly overweighted if I use a steel tank.
But another point is in warm water (caribbean/mediterranian), I'll rarely dive with steels and probably end up wearing a full 3mm which would probably compensate for +6lbs...
But when travelling, 6lbs for steel bp might be too much...
I'm considering a hogarthian setup using oxycheq 30lbs mach v signature wing and an aluminum backplate with 2 trim pockets at the top tank belt.
Or should I get a steel BP?
What is your insight on this? What are the things to consider when choosing between aluminum versus steel BP?
recreational diver. But I want to do it right, comfortable and safe...
I weigh 176lbs and I use 14lbs with HP100. 4x2 lbs in weight pouches and 3x2lbs in trim pockets at the top tank belt. (I can possibly drop 2 more lbs, but my wetsuit
is new.)
My setup should also be OK with warm water diving as well as cold water (min 50F). I was looking into backplates and I see that there are steel and aluminum backplates.
For cold water, I think SS would trim better since it's about +6lbs, but for warm water (eg. 3mm shorties) this will make me significantly overweighted if I use a steel tank.
But another point is in warm water (caribbean/mediterranian), I'll rarely dive with steels and probably end up wearing a full 3mm which would probably compensate for +6lbs...
But when travelling, 6lbs for steel bp might be too much...
I'm considering a hogarthian setup using oxycheq 30lbs mach v signature wing and an aluminum backplate with 2 trim pockets at the top tank belt.
Or should I get a steel BP?
What is your insight on this? What are the things to consider when choosing between aluminum versus steel BP?