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 like the HOG Total Buoyancy System. It's a complete package, but you can pick and choose what you get with it.

Got myself the Mares XR Rec as first BPW. very happy with it.

I love my Halcyon Infinity. With the cinch setup, it’s a lot easier getting in and out of.

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.

Love my XDeep Zen, standard with stainless backplate 👍👍

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?

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 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.

XDEEP Zen Deluxe SS BP/W, love it!

My first bp/wing is the zen from xdeep. Steel plate, cause i dive in german lakes😂

Tecline had some nice complete starter sets.

@ScubaDiverMagazine

Жыл бұрын

Tecline has a lot of lovely backplate and wing options, definitely a brand to watch.

Which set you would go with, Mares or Haycyon ?

thanks for this video.. how to determine the size of a pre-assembles BP/W BCD when buying it online ? thanks

#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

@ScubaDiverMagazine

Жыл бұрын

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 Can you please compare a traditional backplate and wing setup with Dive Rite transpac? Essentially regarding buoyancy. Really love the content and info, thanks.

Affordable & Good options: Xdeep Zeos 13 Standard, or the Dive Gear Express Gears Singles BPW. About 13L of Lift is PLENTY for most single tank divers, you will only ever use about 8~9L of it, at most.

#askmark, yet again another great video thanks from all of us who watch learn the tricks and tips from you. Been diving a few years now and decided to move across to twins for next year so have just got old custom diver TDB set up and wanted to put new wing on to the back plate harness but fancy a bright colour so any recommendations please. Also thinking of inverted setup also to ease valve control. Regards Steve

@ScubaDiverMagazine

7 ай бұрын

CD backplates are as standard as you get and you should be able to fit a range of wings. Horseshoes give you more space for inverted cylinders but there isn't a huge amount of choice out there today. Halcyon, Xdeep and OMS spring to mind when I think about colourful wings but I don't know if they make horseshoe wings

@stevehowe7334

7 ай бұрын

@@ScubaDiverMagazine many thanks for the reply and information also great man cave setup for the dive gear storage behind you in the videos. Green with envy, safe diving fella.

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.

@morphidian

Жыл бұрын

A traditional BP/W doesn't have pockets and your attachment options will be very different, you're not gaining much from the HydroLite.

@BrentHollett

Жыл бұрын

@@morphidian 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.

@retlod

9 ай бұрын

Dive Rite TransPac XT for me. Swappable weight pockets for diving with or without a wetsuit.

#askMARK BUYANCY CONTROL .. DRYSUIT OR BCD .which to use as recently passed my drysuit specialty and reading so many different opinions on this topic . Would love to hear your take on the subject .love the channel by the way

@ScubaDiverMagazine

5 ай бұрын

I use BCD for surface buoyancy and my Drysuit for underwater. Using your drysuit underwater has the benefit of adding more insulation to keep you warm and you have an automatic dump valve. Some gas in your BCD may help your position in the water but, once you get used to your drysuit it will hold you in a good position also. I'll use my BCD at the start of the dive but, once my head leaves the surface it's up to my drysuit until I reach the surface again or something goes wrong with my drysuit.

@jasonmoody1012

5 ай бұрын

@@ScubaDiverMagazine thanks mark ...been following you since I passed open water and several specialty courses . Love the content by the way . Happy new year . Hoping 2024 is filled with lots more videos

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.

@ScubaDiverMagazine

11 ай бұрын

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.

Hi there I have. Question.. I’m looking for a bcd\wing for divers with a weak back. High risk of hernia or smaller back problems. What would you,recommend? Thanks in advance. Keep up the good work..

@ScubaDiverMagazine

3 ай бұрын

Sidemount configurations are a good choice if you suffer from back problems. You can enter the water without your cylinder and attach it once you're in the water. The same for exits, you can attach the cylinder to something and haul it up later. That or you can just put your BCD on in the water, do your buddy checks beforehand and a check once you're in your BCD. That way you don't need to stand up out of the water with the weight of the cylinder on your shoulders. AquaLung have a feature in some of their BCDs called Wrapture that's designed to shift the weight to your hips. The Dimension is a wing-style BCD with Wrapture. If you want to go down the backplate route then the XDEEP Zen has the best shaped backplate to spread the weight across your back. But the best thing is to try to avoid carrying the weight of cylinders out of the water the best you can. If there's no water movement then I would lower the cylinder into the water on a rope and don it in the water.

#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

@ScubaDiverMagazine

Жыл бұрын

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

@user-kr8ce2vd6t

Жыл бұрын

@@ScubaDiverMagazine thank you

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.

Dgx is what I run with now. Doesn't need the sta.

@arghidontknow

9 ай бұрын

How are you liking DGX? I am thinking of buy a BPW package from them instead of halcyon.

Which set you would go with, Mares or Haylcyon ?

@ScubaDiverMagazine

2 ай бұрын

It depends... As long as there's a dealer nearby and you can get it serviced, I'd be happy diving with either brand. Halcyon has strong ties with GUE if you plan to go down the GUE route and you have more choice of colours and styles if you want something more custom than standard black.

@ziggyd.6119

2 ай бұрын

@@ScubaDiverMagazine I C, thx for replying to me on this. Right now I have Aqualung Pro. But looking to get more pro BCD, black is fine. Talked to dealer today, he sells Halcyon and servicing them. Now I have to meet with him and put it together/customized which is very imported. I like your shows on KZread. Take care. Ziggy from Canada

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.

@redolds231

Жыл бұрын

Aluminum or carbon fiber backplate? Maybe

@bloodymarvelous4790

Жыл бұрын

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.

@adammason4454

Жыл бұрын

@bloodymarvelous4790 yeah ive just been diving in the red sea for 2 weeks and a lot of divers had BPW there.

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.

@spartanthe300ththermopylae4

6 ай бұрын

@Sgyozo nonsense. I've got a Mares XR 16l wing (~34lb), have put over 200 dives on it and it's still like brand - new.

xdeep for me