Stab Jacket / BCD ???

"Lee Bell" <pleebell2@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:v8MEh.34702$p9.11113@bignews7.bellsouth.net.. .
> Dan Bracuk wrote
>
>> For you, I'm always open minded, as long as it doesn't overweight me.
>> Without a hunka metal on my back, I use 4 lbs of lead.
>
> If that's with a standard 80 in salt water, the steel back plate would probably be
> too heavy for you. I have an aluminum one you're welcome to try too. If it's in
> fresh water, you might still like the steel plate.
>
> If my experience is a guide to what yours will be, you may find that you need less,
> or even no lead with the aluminum plate and wing. I know that, with the steel one,
> I took off more lead than the difference in weight between my old SeaQuest Spectrum
> and the Halcyon Wing and plate. Theory is, the jacket style BCDs trap more gas. I
> can't say for sure, but something must have been to blame. At any rate, steel and
> aluminum are here if you'd like to give them a try.
>
> Lee

Hello Lee, I've heard this claim about gas trapping and dropping of weight with
plate/wing a number of times. A couple of years ago I changed from backplate to
Zeagle Escape ( a soft BC with a wing) and I've looked through my log book and in
identical conditions I see no difference in the amount of weight total I carry. When
I add the total weight including the plate and single tank adapter it works out the
same overall.

I wonder if the gas trapping takes place in BC that use a jacket bladder that wraps
around. I could see it happening there as it may be hard to purge all air. It's hard
to see how gas trapping can take place in a wing like in the Escape.

Adam

"Lee Bell" <pleebell2@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:v8MEh.34702$p9.11113@bignews7.bellsouth.net.. .
> Dan Bracuk wrote
>
>> For you, I'm always open minded, as long as it doesn't overweight me.
>> Without a hunka metal on my back, I use 4 lbs of lead.
>
> If that's with a standard 80 in salt water, the steel back plate would probably be
> too heavy for you. I have an aluminum one you're welcome to try too. If it's in
> fresh water, you might still like the steel plate.
>
> If my experience is a guide to what yours will be, you may find that you need less,
> or even no lead with the aluminum plate and wing. I know that, with the steel one,
> I took off more lead than the difference in weight between my old SeaQuest Spectrum
> and the Halcyon Wing and plate. Theory is, the jacket style BCDs trap more gas. I
> can't say for sure, but something must have been to blame. At any rate, steel and
> aluminum are here if you'd like to give them a try.
>
> Lee

Hello Lee, I've heard this claim about gas trapping and dropping of weight with
plate/wing a number of times. A couple of years ago I changed from backplate to
Zeagle Escape ( a soft BC with a wing) and I've looked through my log book and in
identical conditions I see no difference in the amount of weight total I carry. When
I add the total weight including the plate and single tank adapter it works out the
same overall.

I wonder if the gas trapping takes place in BC that use a jacket bladder that wraps
around. I could see it happening there as it may be hard to purge all air. It's hard
to see how gas trapping can take place in a wing like in the Escape.

Adam

> Hello Lee, I've heard this claim about gas trapping and dropping of
> weight with plate/wing a number of times. A couple of years ago I changed
> from backplate to Zeagle Escape ( a soft BC with a wing) and I've looked
> through my log book and in identical conditions I see no difference in the
> amount of weight total I carry. When I add the total weight including the
> plate and single tank adapter it works out the same overall.

> I wonder if the gas trapping takes place in BC that use a jacket bladder
> that wraps around. I could see it happening there as it may be hard to
> purge all air. It's hard to see how gas trapping can take place in a wing
> like in the Escape.

The difference is most often reported between jacket style BCDs and rear
inflation wings. The Zeagle Escape is, if I'm not mistaken, a rear
inflation wing.

I don't know where the air trapping may be, but I suspect that with my
SeaQuest Spectrum BCD, at least part of it was in the plastic plate. I
believe it was hollow and, while it had some small holes at the bottom, I
doubt that gas trapped inside escaped easily. Regardless of where the gas
was trapped, the need for less weight is pretty well documented.

Lee

> Hello Lee, I've heard this claim about gas trapping and dropping of
> weight with plate/wing a number of times. A couple of years ago I changed
> from backplate to Zeagle Escape ( a soft BC with a wing) and I've looked
> through my log book and in identical conditions I see no difference in the
> amount of weight total I carry. When I add the total weight including the
> plate and single tank adapter it works out the same overall.

> I wonder if the gas trapping takes place in BC that use a jacket bladder
> that wraps around. I could see it happening there as it may be hard to
> purge all air. It's hard to see how gas trapping can take place in a wing
> like in the Escape.

The difference is most often reported between jacket style BCDs and rear
inflation wings. The Zeagle Escape is, if I'm not mistaken, a rear
inflation wing.

I don't know where the air trapping may be, but I suspect that with my
SeaQuest Spectrum BCD, at least part of it was in the plastic plate. I
believe it was hollow and, while it had some small holes at the bottom, I
doubt that gas trapped inside escaped easily. Regardless of where the gas
was trapped, the need for less weight is pretty well documented.

Lee

> Hello Lee, I've heard this claim about gas trapping and dropping of
> weight with plate/wing a number of times. A couple of years ago I changed
> from backplate to Zeagle Escape ( a soft BC with a wing) and I've looked
> through my log book and in identical conditions I see no difference in the
> amount of weight total I carry. When I add the total weight including the
> plate and single tank adapter it works out the same overall.

> I wonder if the gas trapping takes place in BC that use a jacket bladder
> that wraps around. I could see it happening there as it may be hard to
> purge all air. It's hard to see how gas trapping can take place in a wing
> like in the Escape.

The difference is most often reported between jacket style BCDs and rear
inflation wings. The Zeagle Escape is, if I'm not mistaken, a rear
inflation wing.

I don't know where the air trapping may be, but I suspect that with my
SeaQuest Spectrum BCD, at least part of it was in the plastic plate. I
believe it was hollow and, while it had some small holes at the bottom, I
doubt that gas trapped inside escaped easily. Regardless of where the gas
was trapped, the need for less weight is pretty well documented.

Lee

New to group, I would like to purchase my first BCD / Stab Jacket which is
the best make and model to go for in your opinion..

Regards

Brian Tonks

Hi Brian, ScubaPro probable makes the best. I had one that I put just over
3300 dives on. And I started using ScubaPro's around 1986, including the
first "Bat Wings", which was the forerunner to the present day "plate &
wing" set-up. It all depends on what sort of diving you will be doing. I
haven't found any real advantage in any other system for everyday use.
Again, it depends on the kind of diving you will be doing. Hope this helps.



"Brian Tonks" <tonks4x4@ntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:lQeCh.13270$Zl6.1066@newsfe3-win.ntli.net...
> New to group, I would like to purchase my first BCD / Stab Jacket which is
> the best make and model to go for in your opinion..
>
> Regards
>
> Brian Tonks
>
>



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Dan Bracuk wrote

> As good as stab jackets are, I like back inflation bcs better. They
> cost more, but are worth it.

> Lee Bell mentioned backplate and wing. Those are a subset of back
> inflation bcs. What sets them apart is that the backplate is metal.
> This is either good or bad, depending on your circumstances.

Yep. While I've never used one myself, the Transpac that El Stroko Guapo
uses looks to be pretty nice too, particularly if you're packing it to fly
somewhere.

Lee

On Feb 24, 10:29 am, Dan Bracuk <bra...@pathcom.com> wrote:
> jofran...@gmail.com pounded away at his keyboard resulting in:
>
> :I've been meaning to suggest that since you haven't tried a plate and
> :wing (or have you) you should borrow my 18# Halcyon when you're going
> :to dive the warmer climes. As much as it pains Scott Koplin I still
> :have the 2# SS plate he gave me and a lite adapter (also of his
> :manufacture). Together they make a helluva rig for warm water diving
> :and are very compact for travel. Let me know and I'll drop it off on
> :my next trip to the Big Smoke. There's a great feeling of freedom when
> :you belt up this rig.
>
> Thanks but no thanks. Luggage space is at a premium when we travel
> and they ain't that compact.

This one is. The plate is designed for travel and the wing folds up
nice and small. You could roll it all inside your bcd and not even
notice it. If you're down next summer remind to show you.

JF

"Lee Bell" <pleebell2@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:v8MEh.34702$p9.11113@bignews7.bellsouth.net.. .
> Dan Bracuk wrote
>
>> For you, I'm always open minded, as long as it doesn't overweight me.
>> Without a hunka metal on my back, I use 4 lbs of lead.
>
> If that's with a standard 80 in salt water, the steel back plate would probably be
> too heavy for you. I have an aluminum one you're welcome to try too. If it's in
> fresh water, you might still like the steel plate.
>
> If my experience is a guide to what yours will be, you may find that you need less,
> or even no lead with the aluminum plate and wing. I know that, with the steel one,
> I took off more lead than the difference in weight between my old SeaQuest Spectrum
> and the Halcyon Wing and plate. Theory is, the jacket style BCDs trap more gas. I
> can't say for sure, but something must have been to blame. At any rate, steel and
> aluminum are here if you'd like to give them a try.
>
> Lee

Hello Lee, I've heard this claim about gas trapping and dropping of weight with
plate/wing a number of times. A couple of years ago I changed from backplate to
Zeagle Escape ( a soft BC with a wing) and I've looked through my log book and in
identical conditions I see no difference in the amount of weight total I carry. When
I add the total weight including the plate and single tank adapter it works out the
same overall.

I wonder if the gas trapping takes place in BC that use a jacket bladder that wraps
around. I could see it happening there as it may be hard to purge all air. It's hard
to see how gas trapping can take place in a wing like in the Escape.

Adam