In your original post, you asked four questions:
The Transpac seems like a very streamlined back-inflate BC...which seems good to me. I've heard people say they didn't like the Transpac (or a buddy owned one that didn't like it) but I'm not exactly sure why.
There are two primary, and two secondary complaints that people have about Transpacs. 1) they do not provide as stable a platform for the tank as the diver prefers; and 2) they have too much padding and material, and consequently they are too positively bouyant and require the diver to add extra weight. The secondary complaints you will hear from some is that the Transpac is not as streamlined as a BP/W, and the quality of the construction / materials in the unit is 'poor'. I own and dive a) SS and AL BP/W setups for single and double (backmount and sidemount) tanks, and b) a Transpac for single and double (backmount and sidemount) tanks. PERSONALLY, I do not find that the Transpac is lacking stability for either single or double tank diving (I do use the stabilizing plates for backmouned doubles), even when using backmounted double 130s. I do slightly prefer a BP/W over the Transpac for simplicity. I do find the Transpac to have too much (unnecessary) padding, and to be positively bouyant, requiring extra weight when diving single tanks. So, I have removed the shoulder pads, and the back/lumbar pad on my unit. I have not had a situation where I felt the Transpac was not streamlined to the point that I was using extra energy, and extra gas, to move through the water, even when scootering. There is nothing in the construction of my Transpac that I would consider to be 'poor' quality. All of those are my individual observations and opinions, in response to your question, though and you may get / have received differing views.
diver_doug:
So anyway, for a guy who does single-tank wetsuit dives (and has no plans of ugrading to doubles anytime soon...or maybe ever) would the Transpac be the best choice?
Not necessarily, simply because saying one choice (Transpac or BP/W) is 'best' is virtually impossible. It would be a good choice, and the chances are good that you would be quite happy with it. A BP/W would also be a good choice, and the chances are you would be quite happy with a BP/W as well. My personal recommendation would be a SS BP and modest size wing (e.g. 24-30 lbs), but there is nothing wrong with a Transpac.
diver_doug:
If not, what would be the downside to the Transpac, and/or what would make a good bp/w a better choice?
The only 'downside' that I see is the fact that the unit is positively bouyant. A SS BP may allow you to take some weight off your waist. Some divers express concern about weight limitations when traveling, as a caution against a SS BP. I have never had a problem - went to Bonaire in September and took a SS BP AND a Transpac, AND three regulators, without a problem. But, I don't carry much personal 'stuff' either, and I use lightweight duffel bags instead of hard cases, which really helps with the weight.
diver_doug:
Also, wouldn't the backplates be uncomfortable for warm-water dives where you're wearing just a t-shirt, rashguard, etc.?
No. This is a commonly expressed concern among divers who are considering a BP/W, but who have not yet tried one in the water. It is very understandable, simply looking at a BP. However, with possibly a very small number of exceptions, once divers use a BP/W, even with just a T-shirt, they realize that they are quite comfortable in the water.
diver_doug:
I wish there was a place called "Jeb's House of Non-Mainstream BC's" or something like that, where you would have a huge selection of this sort of stuff (diverite, DSS, zeagle, halcyon etc.) I found a shop in Riverside that carries the transpac, but I have yet to find an LDS that carries a bp/w...
It would be good to find a Jeb's House of ... , but probably impossible simply because of the cost of maintaining an inventory, and the manufacturer requirements for sales volume minimums needed to get favorable pricing, or even maintain distributor status. That situation is not limited to the dive industry though. It is truly unfortunate that more shops don't carry at least one line of BP/W setups, to offer customers the option. You will see SB threads where posters comment that, despite the fervor of BP users, the vast majoirty of divers buy and use jacket BCDs, which is very true. In some cases, it is true simply because the buyers are not aware that a BP/W setup is even an option. Back when the only color you could buy a Model T Ford in was black, you saw a lot of black cars and could easily presume that black was a favorite color. This comparison doesn't imply that the majority of divers would buy a BP/W, if available. Rather, it is disappointing that more shops don't have the business savvy to carry at least one demo BP/W in whatever brand line they already carry. It expands the sales opportunities.
diver_doug:
and I'm sure that if I do, whichever one brand they carry will be pitched to me as "the absolute best." Ugh...the dive industry
Probably, but that is OK, because there really is not an absolute best, so you would not be misled. If you take products from Zeagle, Dive Rite, Apeks, Halcyon, Hollis, ScubaPro, Deep Sea Supply, Mares, OMS and probably 5 others, you will generally find that the quality of the product lines are comparable. Yes, there may be particular features that one product line may have that are especially attractive, and not available from all lines. But, what does distinguish some companies is their customer service. For example, I find Zeagle to be exemplary in their service. I have only had excellent service from Tobin at Deep Sea Supply, and have never heard of anyone who has had anything but excellent service from DSS. I find OMS very sluggish to respond, I find Mares parts difficult to obtain in a timely manner. But those are my experiences and others may have had different encounters. The point is, there are many good brands, and it is OK for a shop to be a vigorous advocate for the brands they carry.
