I'm now fascinated with the Idea of a Brass backplate but I can't find them online. Your video shows one with GUSF and a maple 🍁 leaf 🍁 I though that would help in my search but I didn't. 😢 any chance you can recommend where you have seen them?
I dive tropical waters in board shorts & rashguard or 3mm Full Wetsuit, and dive a SS plate. With the 3mm full wetsuit, I have 2 lbs in pockets on my cam-band, and without wetsuit I carry no extra weight. I love it!!
I rock the dive rite SS XT lite in the summer and the standard SS XT in the winter. I find that I need to add a V weight to my back plate in the winter when wearing a 5 mil.
Diving a 3mm wetsuit, I wanted the ability to use the 120 cuft steel tanks in Mexico without being overweighted... skeletonized aluminum was the call (no other weight used). Trim weight on the tank when using AL80s.
I dive a SS plate, 6 lb on the plate, 4 lb in tank trim pockets and 7lb on a soft pocket belt as I don't like not having ditchable weight and in case i need to remove my rig under water I don't float like a cork :)
Really liking my stainless backplate, though in retrospect I might have opted for a 3kg one instead of the 2kg I got. With a 12L long steel tank and 7kg of lead in my pockets, I feel nice and floaty in my drysuit :) Might even be able to ditch a bit more of the lead, but having only 16 dives under my belt and having changed my gear up every 3 dives or so, I'm still looking for the perfect amount. Around here I've seen quite some people dive P- and V-weights, but I hadn't heard of the heavy STA yet. Might have to look into that, though my plate just has slots for cam bands, so I'm currently not using any actual STA at all. Thanks for another great video! They always give food for thought :)
It does have the holes, and an STA is available. I just don't use any because just threading the cam bands through the slots in the backplate seemed easier. It's the Tecline 3mm one. I would link it, but their website is throwing security errors. Does an actual STA offer any advantage over strapping the tank straight to the backplate?
Interesting explanations, very clear Listened to the video as I’m trying to figure out what harness backplate and wing I need to switch from bcd. Wing most likely 40 for single. Harness dir or deluxe not that relevant. But obviously the choice of AL vs SS is fundamental. Diving in the Mediterranean with 7 mill wetsuit and 15 liters steel tank, and usially 5ish kgs of lead. Seems likely that if I were to go for AL, would have to add maybe 6kgs of extra weight, which doesn’t seem that logical? I guess you would recommend a 3 mm SS plate?
Hey ED...great Q, with a 15L stell, you might behappiest with AL, so you can have ditchable weight, if that is imprtant to you. I'd prolly still go with steel, and bea able to add extra weight later if and when I wore heavier undergarments for my drysuit, or gained some COVID weight ;)
I have two plates. My warm water, travel plate is stainless steel and I appreciate the weight being over my buoyant lungs to give me the perfect trim. My cold water plate is also stainless steel, but it also has stainless steel weight plates bolted on, bringing it up to 13 pounds.
Both good plates. I have some DSS and some weight plates. Love the idea of the weight plates. On the DSS plates, I personally dislike the rubber inserts in the slots... makes adjustment such a chore.
I have a SS plate rather have a heavier plate on , not sure what im going to do when I move back to the island 🏝 of PR cause I won’t dive dry anymore, only a 3mm wetsuit then , I don’t dive steel tanks though so maybe I’ll be ok
You can spend $500 on a perfectly fine brand new jacket BCD and reg set. Those work great for the vast amount of recreational divers. However, if you get pulled into the enthusiast/tech direction and go with backplate and wing you will pay more (closer to $1000) by the time you add weight systems, extra pockets, etc.
Our local diveshop sells off its entire rental fleet at the end of each season. Being rental gear it's probably got more "mileage" than used gear from an individual owner but on the other hand it's been serviced regularly and they completely overhaul it before selling it off. Might be worth checking with the shops in your area for something similar.
Which plate material do you roll with and why?
AL diving dry with doubles but head heavy so trying to move weight from chest area towards feet via pockets mounted on the bases of tanks…
I'm now fascinated with the Idea of a Brass backplate but I can't find them online. Your video shows one with GUSF and a maple 🍁 leaf 🍁 I though that would help in my search but I didn't. 😢 any chance you can recommend where you have seen them?
@@tristanlambert2258 Hello. It was a while ago and I don't recall the details...I think I just did a Google search, or I may have seen on ScubaBoard.
Probably the best explanation of Steel vs Alum plates I have seen. Thank you!
Kenneth thanks for the view and kind words 👍
I have never been scuba diving before, just enjoy your videos. If that day ever comes though, I will no doubt be prepared.
Thanks for the support, Drake 👍
I dive tropical waters in board shorts & rashguard or 3mm Full Wetsuit, and dive a SS plate. With the 3mm full wetsuit, I have 2 lbs in pockets on my cam-band, and without wetsuit I carry no extra weight. I love it!!
Sounds like spot on. Must be AL tank..?
@@DiscoveryDiversTokyo Yes, AL80's. Let me know if you're ever in Philippines for diving!
I rock the dive rite SS XT lite in the summer and the standard SS XT in the winter. I find that I need to add a V weight to my back plate in the winter when wearing a 5 mil.
I love V weights...
Diving a 3mm wetsuit, I wanted the ability to use the 120 cuft steel tanks in Mexico without being overweighted... skeletonized aluminum was the call (no other weight used). Trim weight on the tank when using AL80s.
Oh, yes, that heavy combo makes total sense with AL 👍
I'm all for steel. 3kg is nothing when traveling but makes a big difference when diving
I dive a SS plate, 6 lb on the plate, 4 lb in tank trim pockets and 7lb on a soft pocket belt as I don't like not having ditchable weight and in case i need to remove my rig under water I don't float like a cork :)
I hear you. I have ditchable in my weight pockets, but none on my person.
Really liking my stainless backplate, though in retrospect I might have opted for a 3kg one instead of the 2kg I got. With a 12L long steel tank and 7kg of lead in my pockets, I feel nice and floaty in my drysuit :) Might even be able to ditch a bit more of the lead, but having only 16 dives under my belt and having changed my gear up every 3 dives or so, I'm still looking for the perfect amount.
Around here I've seen quite some people dive P- and V-weights, but I hadn't heard of the heavy STA yet. Might have to look into that, though my plate just has slots for cam bands, so I'm currently not using any actual STA at all.
Thanks for another great video! They always give food for thought :)
Oh, interesting. Your plate does not have holes for STA attachment? I’ve honestly never seen that.
It does have the holes, and an STA is available. I just don't use any because just threading the cam bands through the slots in the backplate seemed easier. It's the Tecline 3mm one. I would link it, but their website is throwing security errors.
Does an actual STA offer any advantage over strapping the tank straight to the backplate?
I use Al + heavy STA combo
Now that's an interesting combo!
Interesting explanations, very clear
Listened to the video as I’m trying to figure out what harness backplate and wing I need to switch from bcd.
Wing most likely 40 for single. Harness dir or deluxe not that relevant.
But obviously the choice of AL vs SS is fundamental.
Diving in the Mediterranean with 7 mill wetsuit and 15 liters steel tank, and usially 5ish kgs of lead.
Seems likely that if I were to go for AL, would have to add maybe 6kgs of extra weight, which doesn’t seem that logical?
I guess you would recommend a 3 mm SS plate?
Hey ED...great Q, with a 15L stell, you might behappiest with AL, so you can have ditchable weight, if that is imprtant to you. I'd prolly still go with steel, and bea able to add extra weight later if and when I wore heavier undergarments for my drysuit, or gained some COVID weight ;)
I choose SS, just to take of some weight, will only need 3-4kg on belt depending on my suit.
Stainless club! Agreed on the strategy 👍
I have two plates. My warm water, travel plate is stainless steel and I appreciate the weight being over my buoyant lungs to give me the perfect trim. My cold water plate is also stainless steel, but it also has stainless steel weight plates bolted on, bringing it up to 13 pounds.
Is that a DSS plate?
@@DiscoveryDiversTokyo Yes. My cold water plate is a DSS and my warm water plate is a Fred T custom.
Both good plates. I have some DSS and some weight plates. Love the idea of the weight plates. On the DSS plates, I personally dislike the rubber inserts in the slots... makes adjustment such a chore.
@@DiscoveryDiversTokyo Have you tried the DSS Glide Harness Adapter? Makes adjustments easy, not to mention eases donning and doffing.
I have not. Are they still in business?
I have a SS plate rather have a heavier plate on , not sure what im going to do when I move back to the island 🏝 of PR cause I won’t dive dry anymore, only a 3mm wetsuit then , I don’t dive steel tanks though so maybe I’ll be ok
I have a friend living in the paradise of PR...
Don't pick on Scuba Steve!!
LOL
Question: How much would a beginner diver spend on equipment (to own not rent) Just a ball park idea.
Hi Mark. Such a wide range. My folks here usually spend about $1000 for a good BP/W (BC) and basic regulator setup.
You can spend $500 on a perfectly fine brand new jacket BCD and reg set. Those work great for the vast amount of recreational divers. However, if you get pulled into the enthusiast/tech direction and go with backplate and wing you will pay more (closer to $1000) by the time you add weight systems, extra pockets, etc.
I’d say that’s fair. You can find a lot between $500 to $1000
@@rob_9876
Thank you buddy!
Our local diveshop sells off its entire rental fleet at the end of each season. Being rental gear it's probably got more "mileage" than used gear from an individual owner but on the other hand it's been serviced regularly and they completely overhaul it before selling it off. Might be worth checking with the shops in your area for something similar.