As a beginner, this is one of the most useful and helpful videos I’ve watched (and I’ve watched many). Thank you for taking the time to make this video. It’s a HUGE help!
Although I didn't thumb down the vid...I am still not sold on a backplate set up. I can understand twin set ups, and I suppose if you need a lot of gear down with you...but, my wing bc works perfectly for me.
I bought a plastic backplate from China at £25 and adapted a top of the line wing £300 to it. 3 D rings for a minimalist, streamlined approach. Now the local dive shop wants me to show them how I managed to make it work. I will be upgrading the webbing straps at some point because they are thin as but works perfectly for the type of diving I do. Thanks for your insights.
I recommend Apeks WTX one-piece harness and backplate, which comes with soft webbing for the crotch strap, shoulder pads and all the hardware. If you want shoulder strap adjustment to make it easy to get in and out of Halcyon do a great cinch system. I've never needed a pad between me and the backplate because you don't even feel it in the water, and it's just something else to have to rinse and dry. I've been diving a BP&W for 4 years now; it gives a great feeling of being one with the whole scuba unit and I'll never go back to a jacket BCD.
When I made the switch to a backplate setup over 10 years ago I remember thinking why didn’t I do this sooner? I still don’t understand why the cert agencies don’t start teaching this way as opposed to the overly cumbersome, positively buoyant classic BCDs. My kids all dive with a backplate system now.
I'm with you about teaching divers with BP/W from the get-go. Also, I don't know why rental inventory isn't BP/W: yes more cost per unit but fewer units would be required since BPs can be adjusted for any size.
Good day, Mark! I'm about to purchase an XDeep ZEN BPW, and I was wondering if an Agir Harpa loop or Mares XR SF2 clip can be fitted to it to make adjusting or tightening the shoulder straps a bit easier? Thanks in advance!
I have an Xdeep Zen and you don’t need anything to loosen or tighten the shoulder straps. On the NX series the waistband has a feature that tightens the shoulder straps when it is tightened but when it is released the shoulder straps become longer so the SF2 isn’t needed
#askmark So, I am looking to get into my first BP/W setup, and was wondering do you still need to get your BP/W annually serviced like your regs and BCD?
i dive a DIR Style Wing, just Harness Bladdern and Backplate. No padding, No extra clips or fast Releases. Its the most comfortable wing/bcd i ever used.
I have to ask. What's the advantage of building one yourself or purchasing on of the dressed down backplates, when the ones you buy seem so much more comfortable? And they have the integrated weights, pockets, pads etc... just curious why you'd want metal and straps vs all those features... thx.
I use an Agir Harpa Loop on one of my backplates and a Mares XR SF2 on another. I like them, they make it much easier to get in and out. I've never heard of compatibility issues but if J R has had a problem, it's worth checking...
@@simplyscuba I initially bought the Mares XR SF2 for my Tecline 3mm SS backplate and at least that combo doesn’t fit by around 1mm (tried to use sandpaper to make it thinner but gave up and bought the Tecline equivalent loop which fits perfectly)
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As a beginner, this is one of the most useful and helpful videos I’ve watched (and I’ve watched many). Thank you for taking the time to make this video. It’s a HUGE help!
Who has the balls to dislike a video and not say why? This was full of great information even if you don't decide to piece one together.
Although I didn't thumb down the vid...I am still not sold on a backplate set up. I can understand twin set ups, and I suppose if you need a lot of gear down with you...but, my wing bc works perfectly for me.
I bought a plastic backplate from China at £25 and adapted a top of the line wing £300 to it. 3 D rings for a minimalist, streamlined approach. Now the local dive shop wants me to show them how I managed to make it work.
I will be upgrading the webbing straps at some point because they are thin as but works perfectly for the type of diving I do. Thanks for your insights.
I recommend Apeks WTX one-piece harness and backplate, which comes with soft webbing for the crotch strap, shoulder pads and all the hardware. If you want shoulder strap adjustment to make it easy to get in and out of Halcyon do a great cinch system. I've never needed a pad between me and the backplate because you don't even feel it in the water, and it's just something else to have to rinse and dry. I've been diving a BP&W for 4 years now; it gives a great feeling of being one with the whole scuba unit and I'll never go back to a jacket BCD.
When I made the switch to a backplate setup over 10 years ago I remember thinking why didn’t I do this sooner? I still don’t understand why the cert agencies don’t start teaching this way as opposed to the overly cumbersome, positively buoyant classic BCDs. My kids all dive with a backplate system now.
I'm with you about teaching divers with BP/W from the get-go. Also, I don't know why rental inventory isn't BP/W: yes more cost per unit but fewer units would be required since BPs can be adjusted for any size.
Good information thanks
Great video!!!
Solved a lot of my doubts as I'm deeply interested moving into tech diving!
you are a beacon, Mark. Thank you.
Good day, Mark!
I'm about to purchase an XDeep ZEN BPW, and I was wondering if an Agir Harpa loop or Mares XR SF2 clip can be fitted to it to make adjusting or tightening the shoulder straps a bit easier?
Thanks in advance!
I have an Xdeep Zen and you don’t need anything to loosen or tighten the shoulder straps. On the NX series the waistband has a feature that tightens the shoulder straps when it is tightened but when it is released the shoulder straps become longer so the SF2 isn’t needed
@@henrymoore4180 Much appreciated 🙏🏻
Yup, Henry knows his stuff. Couldn't have said it better...
#askmark So, I am looking to get into my first BP/W setup, and was wondering do you still need to get your BP/W annually serviced like your regs and BCD?
i dive a DIR Style Wing, just Harness Bladdern and Backplate. No padding, No extra clips or fast Releases. Its the most comfortable wing/bcd i ever used.
I have to ask. What's the advantage of building one yourself or purchasing on of the dressed down backplates, when the ones you buy seem so much more comfortable? And they have the integrated weights, pockets, pads etc... just curious why you'd want metal and straps vs all those features... thx.
14:14 “the d-ring dance”
Any thoughts on the use of Mares XR SF2 SS316 Clip o similar products?
Awesome videos!!
Depends which backplate you have. I tried that into my tecline backplate and doesn’t fit
I use an Agir Harpa Loop on one of my backplates and a Mares XR SF2 on another. I like them, they make it much easier to get in and out. I've never heard of compatibility issues but if J R has had a problem, it's worth checking...
@@simplyscuba I initially bought the Mares XR SF2 for my Tecline 3mm SS backplate and at least that combo doesn’t fit by around 1mm (tried to use sandpaper to make it thinner but gave up and bought the Tecline equivalent loop which fits perfectly)
Enjoy the videos, but really wish you would do more visual display of how to do the steps. Watch Ackim @ ISE for a good example.
I like OMS comfort llI fits bigger guys easier to get in and out of
Your video on your own channel is a much better deminstration of what youre talking about here...(no offense).