Good video. As someone just getting into the sport, clear and concise information where you keep it simple without talking down to the viewer always wins. Well done.
Thank you for this video! Exactly what I was searching for. I want to get into tech diving this year and wanted to upgrade my bcd to a backplate and now I have a better idea of how everything works and what to look for!
Wow... That was probably the best video that gives all of the necessary information on backplate/wing BCDs... I feel much more confident about spending money on this type of system.
Thanks! They really are a great investment. The best part is if you find you dont like one aspect of it... You can change! Over time you will build your perfect BCD 😁 let me know if you have any questions. Happy to help.
This is THE MOST complete overview of BP&W setups and options on UA-cam. The only mistake/oversight is that a DIR setup has 5 D-rings, not 3. There are also two D-rings on the crotch strap. My BP&W setup is as follows (including accessories on the harness) - 3mm stainless steel backplate (Apeks). - Single piece harness (Apeks). - 40lb single tank PSD wing (Apeks WTX-D40 PSD). - Stainless steel single tank adapter (Apeks). - 2 griplock cam bands (Apeks) threaded on the single tank adapter. - 2 trim weight pockets (Apeks WSX) threaded on the cam bands. - Hose retainer (Apeks). - 2 line cutters (EezyCut Trilobite), 1 on the waist strap, 1 on the right shoulder strap. - Serrated folding knife (Spyderco Salt 2 C88SBBK2) clipped to right shoulder D-ring. - (Backup) dive light (Apeks Luna Mini) clipped to left shoulder D-ring. - Emergency whistle (Storm whistle) split ring on left shoulder bungee. - Trauma shears (XShear) in a pouch (DiveRite) bungeed to the corrugated hose. In my tech shorts (Fourth Element) I carry: - 2 dSMB's, one yellow, one orange (both Apeks) in left pocket. - 2 spools, a 15m (Apeks purple), and a 30m (Apeks Halo orange) in left pocket. - Wetnotes (Apeks) in my left pocket. - Snorkel (XS Scuba Cargo) in my right pocket. - Spare mask (Apeks VX1 UV Cut) in my right pocket. - Mesh clean-up bag (SSI Ocean Blue) in my right pocket. - Spare double-ender bolt snap in my right zippered pocket. The regulator is in a long hose configuration: - Apeks MTX first stage - Apeks MTX primary second stage on a 210 cm rubber hose and small bolt snap. - Apeks MTXV secondary second stage on a 65 cm rubber hose with 90° elbow and bungee necklace. - Apeks brass & glass SPG on a 65 cm rubber hose and large bolt snap. - Shearwater Swift transmitter on a 7.5 cm rubber hose (ScubaPro). All bolt snaps are XDeep NX bolt snaps, except the spare one because I might not get it back. - Small bolt snaps: Primary second stage, dive light, pocket knife, and wetnotes. - Large bolt snap: SPG - Double-ended bolt snaps: Both spools, spare mask.
Great video Chris! I created my own BP/W set-up last year using a DGX Wing - combining that with parts from four other manufacturers, and I love the modularity, customization and just how well it works. That said, it sure would have been nice to have this video then, as it would have saved me MANY hours of research!! Another great video; keep up the great work..👍
Great vid and subscribed! Second the tech short pockets. It’s really nice keeping the BP&W very minimal. You know exactly where your SPG or knife is attached and there’s nothing else bulking you up to get in the way. Diving a Hollis SS BP and DGX wing. I travel a lot but my airline of choice gives you 2 checked bags for free. I won’t bring my lead, but that 7 lbs isn’t a deal breaker, and it’s less lead I need to figure out how to mount. I keep 4 trim pockets on the tanks straps, if I’m extra buoyant and salty there’s enough room on the straps to just thread some weights onto the waist strap. I’ll have to re thread the buckle, but that’s fast and the straps let you know where it was placed so you don’t have the guess work like when you first set it all up. Bonus pro-tip, if you’re threading lead onto your waist strap, give it a double twist before you pass it back through the weight to keep it from sliding around
I’m torn. New diver who wants a bpw as my first bcd. I plan to travel to where it’s warm and do some cold water diving (Lake Michigan, hopefully with a drysuit eventually). Is it reasonable to get one bpw to cover both situations? I’m thinking stainless with 30lb lift..
I personally travel with a SS Backplate and a 35lb wing. I have a set of 5lb weight pockets on each hip that I rarely have to use in warm water locations in a thin wetsuit however in cold water that is the first area I store weights. If I'm in a drysuit and require more weight I have two trim pockets on my top cylinder band behind my lungs. I highly recommend this set up for a single tank traveling Great Lakes diver 👍
Great video Chris! Informative and to the point. Not sure how one would make a BP/W video much under 30 minutes, given the necessary content requirements. It really helped me to decide on BP/W vs a jacket BCD on my next purchase. I really feel I should go the BP/W route, but am daunted by all the choices and the complexity to set the system up once I have all the components. Oh and by the way you have a new subscriber!
Thanks Dan! Ya there was alot to cover but im glad this video is helping divers like your self. Don't forget you don't have to buy each individual components on its own. There are brands that sell complete systems that come assembled or some dive shops will charge a small fee to assemble it for you if required. the Halcyon Infinity system is a good example of one that comes pre-assembled ready to dive out of the box. Dive rite also make some very good value backplates however they do come unassembled so the shop I work for for example charges about $30 to $40 to assemble it.
Very informative, thank you! I know you can mix and match components, but from your experience which brand take the cake DR or Halcyon when it comes to complete classical BP/W systems (none of this travel stuff).
That's a tough question. Both brands make quality products. Halcyon has few more premium touches when it comes to their style but Dive Rite offers a better value for your money with the same performance.
Great video, very informative. BUT are you saying that you only dive with 4lbs of dumpable weight? That doesn't seem like much to be safe. I like the idea of no more weight belt and weights trimmed up higher. But if I strap more than half of my weight to the BCD (single tank adapter and tank strap weights) then only 4lbs left to dump doesn't sound safe to me. Am I not thinking correctly on this?
You don't want to dump all your weight anyway. If you do that you would go up like a rocket and that would be very dangerous. So half your weight and 4 lbs seems quite enough to have as dumpable weight ...
Great video! Thanks for putting it together! I was wondering how you adjust the weight so that when you surface the BC isn’t pushing your forward in a more horizontal position? Tank weights maybe?
Hey! Thanks. If you're being pushed forward on the surface you may be using a wing too large for the equipment your using. In this situation if you keep your bcd 80% inflated (for example) on the surface instead of 100% you should have amble positive bouyance however you will be avoiding having a large pocket of air behind you possibly pushing you forward. Remember a perfectly balanced back plate is designed to be horizontal underwater not vertical on the surface. Hope this helps!
Hello, I'm a novice diver. I'd like to ask if the wing BCD can be easily taken off underwater when trapped. In addition, can I quickly abandon the weight in an emergency Or just open the pockets one by one and pour out the weight blocks
what about the single bladder design, for example the ghost from xdeep or the peanut from tecline. the air travels throug the wing whey faster and easyer and it has no external and internal bladder but is still very durable. i am not moving away from those systems.
Real divers use a backplate and wing Congratulations on making it, precise and to the point. Plastic ❎ Metal ✅ Minimal failure points ✅ Better trim, cheaper replacement cost, modular ✅✅✅ Why would you buy anything else? 🤷♂️
You actually sold me my first halcyon backplate BCD at DDS and been using it for two years now and love it. Awesome video!
That’s the best overall Bp/W guide I’ve seen! Thank you! I myself dive the DGX bp/w
How are you liking the DGX setup? The price looks great for me a beginner.
@@dirtbikewesley5815 I like it a lot! It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles as others but I don’t mind.
Good video. As someone just getting into the sport, clear and concise information where you keep it simple without talking down to the viewer always wins. Well done.
Great video, I'm a new diver getting ready to purchase my first BCD and you answered many of my questions, thanks
Thank you for this video! Exactly what I was searching for. I want to get into tech diving this year and wanted to upgrade my bcd to a backplate and now I have a better idea of how everything works and what to look for!
im trying to decide between the halcyon infinity and eclipse. great video, thanks
Wow... That was probably the best video that gives all of the necessary information on backplate/wing BCDs... I feel much more confident about spending money on this type of system.
Thanks! They really are a great investment. The best part is if you find you dont like one aspect of it... You can change! Over time you will build your perfect BCD 😁 let me know if you have any questions. Happy to help.
Thank you so much for this lesson on BP. Wonderful presentation.
Awesome and informative video! Thanks for putting in the effort to post!
The community needed a video like this. Great work.
Great video Chris! I had a great time getting my AOW from you and another great time watching your videos. Keep it up man.
Thanks! This is a new adventure for sure but im not leaving the shop anytime soon either so I hope we can dive together again at some point soon! 👌
This is THE MOST complete overview of BP&W setups and options on UA-cam.
The only mistake/oversight is that a DIR setup has 5 D-rings, not 3. There are also two D-rings on the crotch strap.
My BP&W setup is as follows (including accessories on the harness)
- 3mm stainless steel backplate (Apeks).
- Single piece harness (Apeks).
- 40lb single tank PSD wing (Apeks WTX-D40 PSD).
- Stainless steel single tank adapter (Apeks).
- 2 griplock cam bands (Apeks) threaded on the single tank adapter.
- 2 trim weight pockets (Apeks WSX) threaded on the cam bands.
- Hose retainer (Apeks).
- 2 line cutters (EezyCut Trilobite), 1 on the waist strap, 1 on the right shoulder strap.
- Serrated folding knife (Spyderco Salt 2 C88SBBK2) clipped to right shoulder D-ring.
- (Backup) dive light (Apeks Luna Mini) clipped to left shoulder D-ring.
- Emergency whistle (Storm whistle) split ring on left shoulder bungee.
- Trauma shears (XShear) in a pouch (DiveRite) bungeed to the corrugated hose.
In my tech shorts (Fourth Element) I carry:
- 2 dSMB's, one yellow, one orange (both Apeks) in left pocket.
- 2 spools, a 15m (Apeks purple), and a 30m (Apeks Halo orange) in left pocket.
- Wetnotes (Apeks) in my left pocket.
- Snorkel (XS Scuba Cargo) in my right pocket.
- Spare mask (Apeks VX1 UV Cut) in my right pocket.
- Mesh clean-up bag (SSI Ocean Blue) in my right pocket.
- Spare double-ender bolt snap in my right zippered pocket.
The regulator is in a long hose configuration:
- Apeks MTX first stage
- Apeks MTX primary second stage on a 210 cm rubber hose and small bolt snap.
- Apeks MTXV secondary second stage on a 65 cm rubber hose with 90° elbow and bungee necklace.
- Apeks brass & glass SPG on a 65 cm rubber hose and large bolt snap.
- Shearwater Swift transmitter on a 7.5 cm rubber hose (ScubaPro).
All bolt snaps are XDeep NX bolt snaps, except the spare one because I might not get it back.
- Small bolt snaps: Primary second stage, dive light, pocket knife, and wetnotes.
- Large bolt snap: SPG
- Double-ended bolt snaps: Both spools, spare mask.
amazing source of complete infos about backplates on DIR thx!
Thanks for the video. It really helped me to purchase my first BCD!
Thank you so much for your great video and advice. Appreciate it.😊
Really informative and thank you for taking the time to make this video and sharing you knowledge.
Great video Chris! I created my own BP/W set-up last year using a DGX Wing - combining that with parts from four other manufacturers, and I love the modularity, customization and just how well it works. That said, it sure would have been nice to have this video then, as it would have saved me MANY hours of research!! Another great video; keep up the great work..👍
Thanks man. I have heard lots of good things about the DGX systems so you still made a good choice 👍 glad to hear you enjoy it.
Great video! Thank you so much for this knowledge! Wow all my questions answered.
A great presentation which was very thorough! Thank you.
Awesome video. Very informative!
Great video. Very informative and well explanations. Thank you!
Holy cow. This video has so much information. I'll have to finish it on a later day.
A very informative and well presented explanation of the use and benefits of a backplate and wing BCD system. Much thanks.
Great job, thanks for all that important information. I will be moving to a backplate now!
Thanks for the video! I'm a relatively new diver and your video will help transition from a jacket to a single tank/sidemount harness/backplate!
Great video. I dive a Zeagle Ranger right now but my Halcyon BPW is on order (along with my DUI dry suit ). Looking forward to trying it out.
Thank you very much for a very informational and insightful video! You've gained a subscriber.
I came here to find out how many cam bands I needed but I got way more, 10/10
Incredibly detailed! Great help to us new divers
Amazing video!
Sweet guide man, thank you! Just getting into this and you gave a lot of seemingly great information! Subed!
thorough & clear
Great video!
Mr modern diver, that was a brilliant video. Thanks.
Nice overview. Thanks!
Great vid and subscribed! Second the tech short pockets. It’s really nice keeping the BP&W very minimal. You know exactly where your SPG or knife is attached and there’s nothing else bulking you up to get in the way.
Diving a Hollis SS BP and DGX wing. I travel a lot but my airline of choice gives you 2 checked bags for free. I won’t bring my lead, but that 7 lbs isn’t a deal breaker, and it’s less lead I need to figure out how to mount. I keep 4 trim pockets on the tanks straps, if I’m extra buoyant and salty there’s enough room on the straps to just thread some weights onto the waist strap.
I’ll have to re thread the buckle, but that’s fast and the straps let you know where it was placed so you don’t have the guess work like when you first set it all up.
Bonus pro-tip, if you’re threading lead onto your waist strap, give it a double twist before you pass it back through the weight to keep it from sliding around
Really informative, thanks
Great video.
I’m torn. New diver who wants a bpw as my first bcd. I plan to travel to where it’s warm and do some cold water diving (Lake Michigan, hopefully with a drysuit eventually). Is it reasonable to get one bpw to cover both situations? I’m thinking stainless with 30lb lift..
I personally travel with a SS Backplate and a 35lb wing. I have a set of 5lb weight pockets on each hip that I rarely have to use in warm water locations in a thin wetsuit however in cold water that is the first area I store weights. If I'm in a drysuit and require more weight I have two trim pockets on my top cylinder band behind my lungs. I highly recommend this set up for a single tank traveling Great Lakes diver 👍
Very informative!!!
Great video, thanks for the explanation! Know i feel even more confused🙂🙂
Nicely explained.
Great video Chris! Informative and to the point. Not sure how one would make a BP/W video much under 30 minutes, given the necessary content requirements. It really helped me to decide on BP/W vs a jacket BCD on my next purchase. I really feel I should go the BP/W route, but am daunted by all the choices and the complexity to set the system up once I have all the components. Oh and by the way you have a new subscriber!
Thanks Dan! Ya there was alot to cover but im glad this video is helping divers like your self. Don't forget you don't have to buy each individual components on its own. There are brands that sell complete systems that come assembled or some dive shops will charge a small fee to assemble it for you if required. the Halcyon Infinity system is a good example of one that comes pre-assembled ready to dive out of the box. Dive rite also make some very good value backplates however they do come unassembled so the shop I work for for example charges about $30 to $40 to assemble it.
May I ask where dis you get the tank belt (brown looks like).
Looks good
excellent overview
Very informative, thank you! I know you can mix and match components, but from your experience which brand take the cake DR or Halcyon when it comes to complete classical BP/W systems (none of this travel stuff).
That's a tough question. Both brands make quality products. Halcyon has few more premium touches when it comes to their style but Dive Rite offers a better value for your money with the same performance.
Great vid. Thanks man!
Great video, very informative. BUT are you saying that you only dive with 4lbs of dumpable weight? That doesn't seem like much to be safe.
I like the idea of no more weight belt and weights trimmed up higher. But if I strap more than half of my weight to the BCD (single tank adapter and tank strap weights) then only 4lbs left to dump doesn't sound safe to me. Am I not thinking correctly on this?
You don't want to dump all your weight anyway. If you do that you would go up like a rocket and that would be very dangerous. So half your weight and 4 lbs seems quite enough to have as dumpable weight ...
Great video! Thanks for putting it together! I was wondering how you adjust the weight so that when you surface the BC isn’t pushing your forward in a more horizontal position? Tank weights maybe?
Hey! Thanks. If you're being pushed forward on the surface you may be using a wing too large for the equipment your using. In this situation if you keep your bcd 80% inflated (for example) on the surface instead of 100% you should have amble positive bouyance however you will be avoiding having a large pocket of air behind you possibly pushing you forward. Remember a perfectly balanced back plate is designed to be horizontal underwater not vertical on the surface. Hope this helps!
Great info, thanks
How do you drop lots of weights with a backplate when an emergency occurs?
Good question.
Very informative information, thank you for your knowledge share! Cheers, #SeattleRingHunter
Hello, I'm a novice diver. I'd like to ask if the wing BCD can be easily taken off underwater when trapped. In addition, can I quickly abandon the weight in an emergency Or just open the pockets one by one and pour out the weight blocks
Aqualung Rogue ticks all those boxes
what about the single bladder design, for example the ghost from xdeep or the peanut from tecline. the air travels throug the wing whey faster and easyer and it has no external and internal bladder but is still very durable. i am not moving away from those systems.
Real divers use a backplate and wing
Congratulations on making it, precise and to the point.
Plastic ❎
Metal ✅
Minimal failure points ✅
Better trim, cheaper replacement cost, modular ✅✅✅
Why would you buy anything else? 🤷♂️
OxyCheq Mach V Extreme Wing is great... they will last a life time...
Looks like a new channel I hit that S button
Thanks! Its a work in progress but i appreciate the support 😁