The backplate and wing are two separable components of a scuba harness. Both pieces are attached to a buoyancy compensator that establishes neutral buoyancy underwater and positive buoyancy on the surface. The wing and backplate are modular systems that can be disassembled from each other. These systems are an excellent choice for divers who aren’t sure what type to buy. These are the pros & cons of each.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel back plate and wings are available with or without a harness. The wings and backplate are made from 316 stainlesssteel. This material is highly resistant against saltwater. It is cut by a CNC router and polished manually to prevent any sharp edges from causing premature wear. They can also be used with a single-air-tank system or dual-air-tank systems. For easier storage, the wings and backplate can be removed from stainless steel.
Aluminium backplates weigh more than stainless steel. Stainless steel backupplates are perfect for colder environments, as they'll help reduce the weight of your diving gear. Stainless steel backplates, unlike lead pieces, can be easily adjusted to fit most diving tanks. A Halcyon Dealer can provide weighting advice to determine what's appropriate for your body weight. You won't need to replace this backplate as often because it will last longer.
Plastic
While the buoyancy of the plastic back plate and wing is negative, it is still advantageous when replacing the weight on the weightbelt. Jacket BCDs include pockets and weight integration. These ancillary features are not available for the backplate or wing system. These components can be purchased separately. These components can be purchased separately. This article will explain the pros and disadvantages of each. It is crucial that you choose the right type and size of back plate to suit your needs.
Softpack harness
There are many kinds of harnesses, both for wings or backplate. Backplates and wing-specific BCDs are the most popular. These BCDs include all of the required components such as a backplate, wing, and harness. Users can also customize the harness using a range adjustable features. Softpack BCDs can be used by technical divers because they are lightweight and flexible, and don't attach to any rigid plates.
The drawback to steel backplates harnesses is their inability for adaptability. The harness cannot be used with single tanks. It's only designed for use with double tanks that have permanent bands. Although the steel harness is the strongest option, it is cumbersome to use while traveling. This steel harness can only be used with double tanks. The steel backplate is also not recommended for use on the land. Attaching adapters can make it work with single tanks, but this is not recommended.