Best options for cold water/warm water hybrid bp&w rig

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finnegankp
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Best options for cold water/warm water hybrid bp&w rig

Post by finnegankp »

Been a bit dormant on the board since moving across the pond to Scotland, but curious to get some advice on a gear issue.

Diving in Scotland is much like that of the Northwest, cold, dark, and requires a drysuit or full 7mm wetsuit. As such, at 210lbs a standard BP&W setup with a 45lb wing will fit the bill for local diving.

But living in such close proximity and only an inexpensive flight away from some amazing warm water diving, I want to be able to support both environments without having to have 2 separate rigs.

With the in mind, are there any systems out there that could easily be configured to use in either environment without being overly heavy (ideally <8lbs) for travel and not underwhelming for cold water diving? Looking ideally for something that could very easily be modified to work in either environment.

Kyle



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60south
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Re: Best options for cold water/warm water hybrid bp&w rig

Post by 60south »

I have a DiveRite Tanspac-II I'll sell you. Currently equipped with a travel wing.
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ljjames
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Re: Best options for cold water/warm water hybrid bp&w rig

Post by ljjames »

If you are not lugging doubles into the water I’ve found the OMS I-Q lite to be fantastic for my dual purpose needs. The 37lb wing and soft pack/harness pack super small and light for travel. I have had no issues dragging around HP100’s or CCR with multiple battery packs for video lighting and suit heaters strapped to it. I scooter with it, etc. Clipping off multiple cameras, long walks to beach, dynamic leaping boat entries. No clip have broken, no issues.

If you want to add a backplate for dubs As i understand it, it’s just a matter of unscrewing the wing/harness and putting it into the mix and reassembling, or sidemount supposedly they have some adaption for that *shrug*. (I’m not diving hard plates anymore nor sidemount so no actual experience there).

I originally got this AS my travel BC system and liked it so much i just kept using it when i got back home.
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Tom Nic
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Re: Best options for cold water/warm water hybrid bp&w rig

Post by Tom Nic »

I have a Hollis 38lb wing that I use for both warm and cold. I have a steel blackplate and webbing for cold, and an aluminum backplate and webbing set up for warm. Two screws, plates switched, and I'm good for either. Simple, works for both.
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CaptnJack
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Re: Best options for cold water/warm water hybrid bp&w rig

Post by CaptnJack »

I would just get a steel and separate ali plates. They are pretty cheap.
Actually more expensive but also viable would be to get an ali plate and a weighted sta. Use the cam band slots and the ali plate travelling and the same plate with the ~6lb STA locally. But two plates is actually cheaper.
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BillZ
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Re: Best options for cold water/warm water hybrid bp&w rig

Post by BillZ »

CaptnJack wrote:I would just get a steel and separate ali plates. They are pretty cheap.
Actually more expensive but also viable would be to get an ali plate and a weighted sta. Use the cam band slots and the ali plate travelling and the same plate with the ~6lb STA locally. But two plates is actually cheaper.
+1 for Richard and Toms suggestion.

For travel I have an OMS aluminum plate that I use with my 35 lb Apex wing, which I use for both PNW diving and warm water. I think I picked up used the plate for around $60.
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jmartel
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Re: Best options for cold water/warm water hybrid bp&w rig

Post by jmartel »

CaptnJack wrote:I would just get a steel and separate ali plates. But two plates is actually cheaper.
Adding to this, but if you get separate plates, rig up a new harness so you don't need to transfer it over. Webbing is cheap. Just transfer the wing and tank bands.
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RVbldr
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Re: Best options for cold water/warm water hybrid bp&w rig

Post by RVbldr »

Lots of good advice here. Just to add to the list, I use an OMS 4.5 lb stainless plate and a HOG wing for PNW cold water diving, but take the same rig to warm water. It's a couple pounds heavier, but I can still get all my gear in the bag without excess baggage fees, and previously used the same plate/harness (single web) with doubles. With the lighter OMS plate, I had no need for a separate AL plate.
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Jeff Pack
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Re: Best options for cold water/warm water hybrid bp&w rig

Post by Jeff Pack »

All we did when we went to truk, was buy an AL plate, rig it up, carried same wing, etc. So literally my cold to warm water rig difference
is just an AL plate
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- I got a good squirt in my mouth
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finnegankp
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Re: Best options for cold water/warm water hybrid bp&w rig

Post by finnegankp »

Thanks for the advise all. Found a steal of a deal on an X-deep Zen system so going with that and then going to buy an AL backplate to swap out for warm water.

Which means if anyone is planning a trip over to Scotland and is interested in a MK1 Zeagle Express Tech Deluxe, I've got one up for sale!

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