The backplate and wing are two separable components of a scuba harness. The buoyancy compensator attaches both pieces to the buoyancy compensator. This creates positive buoyancy at the surface and neutral buoyancy under water. Each component can be separated from the other. Backplate and wings are modular systems. They can be a great choice for divers who don't know which type to choose. Below are the pros and cons for each.
Stainless steel
The stainless steel wings and backplate can be ordered with or without a harness. Backplate and wings made from 316 stainless-steel are highly resistant to 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. To make storage easier, you can take off the wings and backplate made of stainless steel.
Stainless steel backplates are heavier than aluminium. Stainless steel backplates work well in colder climates and will reduce your weight while diving. Stainless steel backplates can be adjusted to fit most tanks, unlike lead pieces. To help you determine the right weight for you, a Halcyon Dealer will provide weighting advice. This backplate will also last longer, so you don't have to replace it as often.
Plastic
Although the plastic back plate/wing buoyancy is not ideal, it can still be useful for replacing weight on the weight belt. Jacket BCDs come with pockets and weight integration. These ancillary options are not available on the backplate and wings. These components can be ordered separately. Both are available separately. We'll discuss the pros and con of each. It is crucial that you choose the right type and size of back plate to suit your needs.
Softpack harness
There are several types of harnesses that can be used for the wings and backplate. Backplates, wing BCDs, and the most common are both available. They contain all the essential components like a harness, backplate and wing. The user can customize the harness by adding a variety of adjustable features. Softpack BCDs are ideal for technical divers, since they are made of a lightweight, flexible material and are not attached to a rigid plate.
The problem with steel backplate harnesses, however, is their inability to be adjusted. The harness is not meant to be used on single tanks. It can only be used on double tanks with permanent banding. The steel harness is the most rigid option but is clumsy to use when traveling. It is not suitable for single tanks and the steel backplate might be too heavy to use on the ground. You can attach adapters to make it compatible with single tanks. However, this is not recommended.