What are the benefits of a BP/W?

[Splitlip]

Which brings up another point. Most conventional BC's have up to 3 (or even more) ponds of inherent buoyancy. Not only is it in the a bad place (for me), but it needs to be off set with weights.
The first BPW I put together was about 2 # negative and weighed under 6#. My BC at the time was about 2 # positive and weighed over 6#.

[Charlotte Smith]

Comfort!!!!

[cummings66]

Originally Posted by hoop

This is the stuff I'm looking for.... I've often wondered if my size (6'6''-260lb) places me at a disadvantage on weighting.... it seems my attitude in the water is more of a /

Odds are you're using a lot of weight on a belt, that normally will make you foot heavy and any amount of weight you can place over your back will make you come back to a neutral horizontal trim position.

It's something you have to play with. For me it varies slightly depending on whether I dive wet or dry, but not much.

[greyzen]

So still kinda curious about the whole Ranger vs. BP/W

[willardj]

Originally Posted by greyzen

So still kinda curious about the whole Ranger vs. BP/W

The biggest difference is that you can make the BP any way you want it. Change things that don't work. Instead of buying a new BC just replace a wing. The Ranger is take it as it is.

[greyzen]

Originally Posted by willardj

The biggest difference is that you can make the BP any way you want it. Change things that don't work. Instead of buying a new BC just replace a wing. The Ranger is take it as it is.

Willard, thanks for the response... not to throw it back at you but...

Ranger has a replaceable bladder (which is similar to the wing yes/no?)
Ranger is back inflate same as the BP/W
Ranger has pockets (which most BP/W's add*)
Ranger has D-rings/etc. (which most BP/W's add*)
Ranger is assembled in several parts (For example, I'm center-heavy so I have a larger waist section than shoulders) same as BP/W

It just seems that a BP/W is for people who enjoy buying each individual section and portion of their rig (which is fine) and a Ranger/Brigade/etc. style BCD is kind of like getting a BP/W pre-configured. yes/no?

[BSea]

Originally Posted by greyzen

Ranger has a replaceable bladder (which is similar to the wing yes/no?)
Ranger is back inflate same as the BP/W
Ranger has pockets (which most BP/W's add*)
Ranger has D-rings/etc. (which most BP/W's add*)
Ranger is assembled in several parts (For example, I'm center-heavy so I have a larger waist section than shoulders) same as BP/W

It just seems that a BP/W is for people who enjoy buying each individual section and portion of their rig (which is fine) and a Ranger/Brigade/etc. style BCD is kind of like getting a BP/W pre-configured. yes/no?

I agree with several of your points. Here's where we differ.

"Ranger has pockets (which most BP/W's add*)." With a BP/W you can have the pockets where you need them, and some are designed for a specific purpose. (The Dive Rite quick draw sleeve for a SMB). I like the pockets that strap to your leg. I think they are much easier to use than the pockets on a Ranger/Brigade, plus they hold more.

But the biggest difference IMHO was stated earlier by Splitlip.

Originally Posted by Splitlip

Which brings up another point. Most conventional BC's have up to 3 (or even more) ponds of inherent buoyancy. Not only is it in the a bad place (for me), but it needs to be off set with weights.
The first BPW I put together was about 2 # negative and weighed under 6#. My BC at the time was about 2 # positive and weighed over 6#.

The Ranger/Brigade is very bouyant. Take it to a pool and see how much lead it takes to sink your Ranger/Brigade when ther is no air in the bladder.

Don't get me wrong. I think the Ranger/Brigade is a great BC. I used to have 1. I switched to a BP/W, then sold my Brigade about 6 months later because it was just gathering dust. But it really just comes down to personal prefference. I have a buddy who is an instructor, that didn't like the BP/W, and still dives his Ranger.

[willardj]

Originally Posted by greyzen

Willard, thanks for the response... not to throw it back at you but...

Ranger has a replaceable bladder (which is similar to the wing yes/no?)
Ranger is back inflate same as the BP/W
Ranger has pockets (which most BP/W's add*)
Ranger has D-rings/etc. (which most BP/W's add*)
Ranger is assembled in several parts (For example, I'm center-heavy so I have a larger waist section than shoulders) same as BP/W

It just seems that a BP/W is for people who enjoy buying each individual section and portion of their rig (which is fine) and a Ranger/Brigade/etc. style BCD is kind of like getting a BP/W pre-configured. yes/no?

You can say that ,but for me I like plate, harness and wing nothing else. The simpler the better. If I need extra I carry it in a thigh pocket. That is just me.

It's been a long time sence I looked at a Rangers so I can't say about all the impovement's they have mad but I do no that they are quite expensive.. I have lil over $300 in my Rig. There is no way you will get a Ranger for that. I'm not saying anything bad about the Ranger its just I like my BP/W being I go back and forth between single's and double's it work's for me. Again it's just depend's on the type of diving you are going to do.

[greyzen]

Alrighty, well firstly thanks for the positive responses guys.

I forgot to add on the * to be (from what I've been lead to understand ) but regardless, I appreciate the positive feedback.

I'm actually on my pilgrimage to the great Scubatoys this weekend and plan on harrassing the guys there about the BP/W and BC/etc. I'm extremly open-minded and want to try both on so wish them luck

[cummings66]

Originally Posted by greyzen

Ranger has pockets (which most BP/W's add*)
Ranger has D-rings/etc. (which most BP/W's add*)

Most of the divers I'm diving with don't add pockets to the wing, in fact I've never seen it except on boards like this where people say they've done it. I have pockets on my drysuit.

D rings are on any harness, they're cheap and useful. I don't think the D ring argument has any validity here. The BP/W usually has fewer rings on it however.