Best Entry-Level Backplate & Wing? #askmark #scuba @ScubaDiverMagazine
DrDorkin
@drdorkin
#AskMark Love the videos! What would your recommendations be for a beginner bpw?
#scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver
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I run OMS singles and doubles depending how I feel that day my municipality picked what our gear was that’s what I’m used to been using oms since the day after search and recovery class in 05 and it’s never let me down stainless everything to trim my weight belt down
I love the XDeep too, my first BPW setup was a Xdeep Hydros 50, Apeks backplate. Now on the Xdeep NX system.
But when it comes to the webbing, I purchased the Halcyon webbing which has their H logo printed on the webbing at regular intervals. It helps in adjusting and making sure both sides of the harness are even.
What do you think about Halcyon? I am a new diver and I am looking for the best gear from the start. I am deciding between Hydro Pros and BP/W. Everyone says BP/W.
Halcyon are a strong brand and have a good distribution network. The Hydos Pro is a nice BCD and will suit most recreational divers just fine. A BP/W has far more customization and longevity though. A lot of new divers avoid BP/W setups because they look more complicated but, there’s no reason you can’t start out with a Backplate and Wing BCD.
Love my XDeep Zen, standard with stainless backplate 👍👍
My first bp/wing is the zen from xdeep. Steel plate, cause i dive in german lakes😂
Tecline had some nice complete starter sets.
Tecline has a lot of lovely backplate and wing options, definitely a brand to watch.
XDEEP Zen Deluxe SS BP/W, love it!
The answer is: Yes.
The fact that you’re opting for a BP&W is commendable. The whole point of a BP&W is that it will grow with you, both literally and figuratively. You go up or down a size, you adjust your harness. You progress to a different dive configuration, you add/remove parts.
It doesn’t really matter what brand you go for, they’re all great.
I’ve gone for the Apeks because I could get it at a huge discount, but I would’ve been just as happy with a Hollis, XDeep, Mares, or whatever. Even though I dive tropical, I’ve gone for the steel backplate, and I’ve opted for the most lift capacity because the prices weren’t that far apart, and I figure it’s better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
I’m really happy with my HydroLite Travel BC by DiveRite.
It’s NOT a Backplate system, but it’s a great introduction BCD to wearing the Wing style and establishing how to pack pockets and attach gear.
I intend to move to a full BPW once I get more into it, but the HydroLite is a great new diver wing BCD.
A traditional BP/W doesn’t have pockets and your attachment options will be very different, you’re not gaining much from the HydroLite.
@Andrew Craven HydroLite doesn’t have pockets and has a standard harness the same as a normal BP/W. The pockets are on my thighs, via attached thigh pockets or tech shorts.
I made mention of it because of the specific lack of jacket pockets.
Dive Rite TransPac XT for me. Swappable weight pockets for diving with or without a wetsuit.
Mark, I am currently looking at the Scubapro Pro Harness with steel backplate, coupled with the APEX WTX-DT60R. I like the redundant 60 bladder in the APEX, and I just like the Scubapro harness and backplate.
Do you foresee any issues with mating those two up?
XDeep Zeos is what I went with, and if you wear a wetsuit I’m not convinced you need to waste money on the “deluxe” padding. Downside is that it doesn’t come with trim pockets by default… But upside is you can just add some when ordering and you get customisation options too.
xdeep for me
I love my Halcyon Infinity. With the cinch setup, it’s a lot easier getting in and out of.
Got myself the Mares XR Rec as first BPW. very happy with it.
Im gonna be travelling round asia for 6 months diving next year. I really dont know whether to buy a travel bcd or a BPW.
Aluminum or carbon fiber backplate? Maybe
I would always go for a BPW. Get an aluminum backplate and a small wing (18lbs), or you could even get a flexible backplate. Another option is to get into sidemount diving. That’s probably the lightest setup you can put together, though you’ll be buying a very specialized harness, and they’re not the cheapest.
@bloodymarvelous4790 yeah ive just been diving in the red sea for 2 weeks and a lot of divers had BPW there.
I prefer the aluminum backplate, because it is lighter for travel and I don’t mind the extra kilo of lead to offset that. I like the one piece harness because it’s fine to get on and off without any clips so why have them. But if you get everything from the same manufacturer you are at least sure there won’t be any surprises. Apeks and XDeep are my favourites but it’s a personal thing. I agree it was daunting to start with, but they are actually very simple to put together and there’s lots of guidance on line.
Dgx is what I run with now. Doesn’t need the sta.
How are you liking DGX? I am thinking of buy a BPW package from them instead of halcyon.
#AskMark Hey Mark, awesome video as always :) I just got an Xdeep Zen myself and I’m loving it.
This brings me to my questions:
I rinse my wing and back plate after every dive, but should I disassemble it from time to time to wash the parts that aren’t directly exposed (back of the plate, inside of the wing)?
Also, the straps that come with the Zen are quite rigid, would you recommend swapping the webbing with a more malleable one or is the rigidness an advantage?
Last question, I also just got myself a ScubaPro Nova Scotia. I’ve heard that they are somewhat delicate, particularly the wrist and ankle cuffs, as well as the zipper. How should I take care of my suit so it lasts for the longest possible time?
Thank you for all your answers! :D
Yes, you can disassemble most of your BCD to give it a good clean every so often. It’s a good way to find wear and damage on your gear that you may not have noticed before and it can help prevent salt build up.
Nylon webbing usually softens up when it’s wet and if it’s too soft then D-rings can slide along it. Stiff webbing also helps to hold your shoulder straps open to a certain extent to help with donning. If it’s too stiff and uncomfortable then you can change it for a softer alternative but I’d fit serrated trigliders so they stay in place.
Some divers pinch the seals to pull them into place. The sealing section of neoprene doesn’t have the material on both sides to protect it from ripping and you end up with a very tell-tale crescent rip. Use a water-based lubricant and try to avoid pinching a small area of the seal to pull it into place. Zippers need care and lubricant also. Use some beeswax a few times a season so the zipper glides smoothly along the teeth and check for debris between the teeth before kitting up
#askmark i love your videos , what’s your opinion about tecline peanut asymmetric wing , is a good product? I read some mixed review online . Thank you
I’ve not used one myself yet. I did speak with Tecline a while back to organise one for testing.
The materials and construction are good and strong and the idea of minimizing buoyancy and bulk around your neck does make sense. I can’t see any problem with the design and I’d love to try one out
@Scuba Diver Magazine thank you
I like the HOG Total Buoyancy System. It’s a complete package, but you can pick and choose what you get with it.
Just don’t buy Mares wings, they are crap, stitces rip apart, or the cordura at the stitches.
I got an OMS single, pretty nice, also aluminium backplate, and added trim pockets to the tank straps on both sides. If someone have no problems with arms, shoulders, collarbone, etc. the normal fixed harness is just fine, i never had problems getting in or out. Put a neoprene pad on the straps for comfort/to protect the wetsuits, i thought i’ll need some padding for the backplate, but no, it’s fine, you’re not going to run a marathon in them, once under water, it’s perfect.