BP&W input from LDS (what do you think)

[oversea]

Before I start, I was certified just under two years ago. I will have my advanced for this season. I currently use a scubapro classic plus. Nice bc, I am pretty happy with it but is so bulky. I don't like that I can't put things where I want them etc. It's surface properties are great, floats easy and upright etc. As everyone knows, bp&w are the way of most on the board here. Curiosity has led me to research and ultimately buy a plate and one piece harness (ss hammerhead II with STA). I did not get the plate form my LDS because I wanted this specific plate. However, I wanted to get the wing from my LDS because I try to get most of my stuff from him , you know, support your lds. I knew he was an oms and dive rite dealer so I figured I'd get his input and order one. Instead of enthusiasm he was pessimistic. He said I could'nt photograph with a bp/w. He said, they'll pitch you forward on the surface. He said my classis plus is much better for me. He said a bp&w are only well suited for doubles and tech diving. It all seems to make sense, especially because he was not trying to sell me anything but only plug the bc I already have. That being said, I left rather discouraged and came home to find my plate, sta and harness had arrived. I rigged it up this evening and have to say I already like the feel. My plans for diving are a mixed bag. Up until now I've done some reef diving, lots of beach dives and one wreck. I intend to get out in the ocean this year and get down to more wrecks and see some of what I have here on Long Island as I don't get to vacation much. I don't intend on taking my camera all the time and have no plans of ever diving doubles. So after all this, my question is, is he right? (my lds) If I do pursue the BP&W, should I get it on my own or go back to my LDS? Are all you BP&W people tech divers?

 

[divad]

Are all you BP&W people tech divers?

No. Maybe he doesn't like your uppity and independent ways.

 

[ianr33]

Your LDS is full of it. IMHO BP/Wings is the only way to dive. Get a wing from anywhere you want,maybe a used one if cost is an issue. I doubt you will regret it.

 

[Amphibious]

sorry to say but your LDS is full of ****. get a nice "donut" type wing, be it Halcyon, DiveRite, or other and never look back!

 

[divad]

I rigged it up this evening and have to say I already like the feel.

You already know what to do. Keep going.

 

[lamont]

Are all you BP&W people tech divers?

No. I've been diving a BP/W now since my 1st post-certification dive.

I did have issues with it pitching me forwards when I wore an AL80 rental tank (even with a steel tank). I also had trim issues with the upper half of my body being way too buoyant and not being able to hold proper trim at all. A steel tank fixed both of those issues. Alternatively, I could have used a weighted STA or tank weights. Also you can use the placement of your weights around your belt to adjust trim (towards back = more head-up, towards front = more head down). If I didn't have a drysuit and dive with so much buoyant material and so much weight to offset it, I doubt it would have been an issue at all. The times that I've had the BP/W + AL80 in the pool with my shorts on trim and buoyancy weren't an issue.

The BP/W may make you have to think about your weight distribution and trim a little more consciously than a jacket BC, but thats a good thing.

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Another way to fix a pitch-axis trim inbalance is to switch to a knee-bent frog kick, then you can adjust the angle of your bent knees to get your trim evened out. (See my avatar pic for example)

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Before I start, I was certified just under two years ago. I will have my advanced for this season. I currently use a scubapro classic plus. Nice bc, I am pretty happy with it but is so bulky. I don't like that I can't put things where I want them etc. It's surface properties are great, floats easy and upright etc. As everyone knows, bp&w are the way of most on the board here. Curiosity has led me to research and ultimately buy a plate and one piece harness (ss hammerhead II with STA). I did not get the plate form my LDS because I wanted this specific plate. However, I wanted to get the wing from my LDS because I try to get most of my stuff from him , you know, support your lds. I knew he was an oms and dive rite dealer so I figured I'd get his input and order one. Instead of enthusiasm he was pessimistic. He said I could'nt photograph with a bp/w. He said, they'll pitch you forward on the surface. He said my classis plus is much better for me. He said a bp&w are only well suited for doubles and tech diving. It all seems to make sense, especially because he was not trying to sell me anything but only plug the bc I already have. That being said, I left rather discouraged and came home to find my plate, sta and harness had arrived. I rigged it up this evening and have to say I already like the feel. My plans for diving are a mixed bag. Up until now I've done some reef diving, lots of beach dives and one wreck. I intend to get out in the ocean this year and get down to more wrecks and see some of what I have here on Long Island as I don't get to vacation much. I don't intend on taking my camera all the time and have no plans of ever diving doubles. So after all this, my question is, is he right? (my lds) If I do pursue the BP&W, should I get it on my own or go back to my LDS? Are all you BP&W people tech divers?

No ... I dive mostly singles, and mostly recreational, and never in anything except a BP/wing. In fact, even for my pool sessions I use an aluminum backplate and TransPlate harness. Your LDS owner is simply not feeding you correct information.

Since he's not giving you accurate information, I'd be leery about buying a wing from him ... perhaps he wouldn't steer you toward something that would adequately suit your needs. Frankly, sounds like he's never used a wing before, and is just perpetuating myths.

If you're diving singles, there are several well-designed wings on the market that are worth looking at ... Oxycheq and Halcyon are probably preferred by most people who dive singles configurations. Deep Sea Supply also makes a very nice 30-lb wing that's worth looking at. I tested one not too long ago and was very impressed with its performance (and I'm a 250 lb drysuit diver using large steel cylinders). I've dived several Dive Rite wings, and although they get the job done, I don't think they perform as well as the others I've mentioned. If you really want to go with Dive Rite, I'd recommend looking at the Venture wing ... it's more of a pure singles wing than their other offerings (Trek and Rec), which are designed as "compromise" wings suitable for certain types of singles and/or doubles applications. I'd recommend not going that route, as compromise designs offer trade-offs that are not optimal for either singles or doubles.

As for photographers ... most I know dive backplate/wing systems. That includes a couple of ladies I know who will never be anything except recreational divers. One used to wear a SeaQuest BCD, the other a Dacor. Both sold their BCDs after their first couple dives in a backplate.

Once you try it, I don't think you'll ever want to dive the BCD again ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[r37691]

Others have made some good points. Your local dealer has a higher buying requirement with recreational manufacturers, than with OMS & Dive Rite. You can do everything you are used to & more with a BP/W, you just need some time to tune your buoyancy to the new gear. Back flotation needs less air, or you will find yourself face down with some. Eventually I hope to only rent BP/wings. If you want your rig to grow with you as your diving interests expand, a BP/W was a good choice.

 

[oversea]

Since he's not giving you accurate information, I'd be leery about buying a wing from him ... perhaps he wouldn't steer you toward something that would adequately suit your needs. Frankly, sounds like he's never used a wing before, and is just perpetuating myths.

Well, I am sure he has. He said he did anyway. I listen to him alot because he has done quite a bit. I wanted to talk to his son because they seem to be complete opposites.

can I get halcyon anywhere on the web? Hows the eclipse and is it compatable with non halcyon plates?