Hi,Thanks for all the replies!
Jim, you are exactly the person I wanted info from. What difference do you find when diving the Al backplate versus the SS?
And Evan and Tobin have different opinions but I was thinking more in line with Evan in that if I have a weird issue with my feet sinking, having an Al backplate may be an advantage in that I could place the weight higher on the backplate to counteract the problem.
I rather dive a SS plate all the time but like I said , that 4 lbs in my bag makes the aluminum plate the vacation plate.
I don't know what your set up is like , but alot of factors come into play. Listen to what Tobin has to say, he builds this stuff for a living.
At home I am in a dry suit and dive a steel 95 , on vacation I dive in a swim suit and either an al80 or steel 100.
I can dive on vacation without any weight if I dive a steel tank, but need 5 to 6 lbs if I use an aluminum plate.
As to heavy feet, I have used a 2# weight on the top cam band to put more weight up top.
Thanks, Jim