Kydex / SS Hybrid Plate Weight

[divesergeant]

Hi Tobin,

Your website gives the weight of the large SS backplate as 5.8lbs. What is the weight of the large Kydex/SS hybrid?

I'm wondering about the weight difference between the Kydex/SS hybrid and others' aluminum plates. Of course, with theirs I'd need a single tank adapter, too, so I imagine they'll be much heavier as a package. Right?

Thanks,
DS

 

[cool_hardware52]

Hi Tobin,

Your website gives the weight of the large SS backplate as 5.8lbs. What is the weight of the large Kydex/SS hybrid?

I'm wondering about the weight difference between the Kydex/SS hybrid and others' aluminum plates. Of course, with theirs I'd need a single tank adapter, too, so I imagine they'll be much heavier as a package. Right?

Thanks,
DS

I'm not at the shop right now, but IIRC about 3.5 lbs. Keep in mind that in most cases the in water performance with a SS plate is better. One of the key benefits of a BP&W is the ballast the plate provides up over your buoyant lungs.

Even with a SS plate it is common for a BP&W to be lighter in terms of travel weight than many conventional BC's.

I'll weigh a couple plates tomorrow and let you know the actual difference.

Tobin

 

[divesergeant]

Thanks Tobin,

I'm looking at tropical travel and wanting to keep baggage weight to a minimum, so the lighter the better. I may have to give in and use a weight belt when diving.

DS

 

[cool_hardware52]

Thanks Tobin,

I'm looking at tropical travel and wanting to keep baggage weight to a minimum, so the lighter the better. I may have to give in and use a weight belt when diving.

DS

DS,

That's a common interest, less travel weight, but it's worth keeping in mind that the combination of a buoyant al 80 tank and near neutral backplate + 4-6 lbs in a weight belt can make horizontal trim more difficult.

The ballast that a SS plate provides is an effective way to offset the buoyancy of an empty al 80.

I did weigh the plates today and the difference is about 4 lbs for the large size plate.

Tobin