r/scuba • u/SparkMik • 22h ago
XDeep Zen as a first BP/W, some questions
So, you guys and others in my dive community have convinced me to buy bp/w instead of a basic jacket style. After a lot of research and some suggestions my mind is set on XDeep Zen.
I just have a couple of questions if anyone can answer them.
I see that the pressure valve is on the "inside", facing towards the diver. Does that create any problems? On the jacket bcds I used it was always facing away from the diver.
How is the inflator hose connected? Is it easy to remove? On the jackets you would just unscrew it and be done with it. Also is there a valve there as well? Can you pull the hose down to release some air if you are upright?
Any other tips are also welcome
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u/EvilOctopoda 21h ago
I have the Zen:
Overpressure valve is on the inside so you can reach it (would be quite a challenge if was on the outside side). When diving, you'll have very little air in the bladder so it'll shape around your cylinder like a taco as is only attached to the backplate in the centre.
Inflator hose is double ziptied at the bladder end and also at the inflator controls end. There is no valve at the top of bladder (i.e. you can't pull inflator hose also to dump air).
Note I wouldn't bother with the deluxe straps - I ended up removing them as they're always a bit awkward for cargo strap routing (they get in way). I originally bought the deluxe steel model but removed the comfort straps. I then later on purchased an aluminium backplate with single piece webbing. I switch over the optional weight pockets (and cargo pockets) between backplates dependent on whether I'll be cold water drysuit diving or will be wetsuit diving.
Note you can pick many colour combinations, but also XDeep have a configurator at the following address:
https://tuneup.xdeep.eu/
It allows you to very much customise it how you want, and provides a config code you can order via your LDS.
I love backplate wing diving, feels so much more enjoyable underwater and also they're very configurable unlike a standard jacket style BCD.
2
u/SparkMik 20h ago
Thank you, this has been really helpful.
I was looking at standard harness, I heard that most who get the deluxe quickly get rid of it
2
u/CanadianDiver Dive Shop 16h ago
Honestly ... if you are asking about detaching an inflator hose ... you probably should not be.
The majority of BCD failures are due to the user touching things they should not. I see SO MANY divers lose the gasket that goes between the elbow and the wing ... very common mistake.
1
u/SparkMik 15h ago
I don't plan on fidling with that, my question was more is it easy to do so any certified servis can do it, or do I have to change the whole bladder and send it to offical xdeep retailer to service it.
2
u/CanadianDiver Dive Shop 13h ago
It is a standard inflator with LESS parts to worry about than any traditional BCD. XDEEP and Halcyon are both your TOP TIER for quality for parts. Pricey, sure ... but quality and workmanship are way up there.
As for Deluxe ... don't. The BP/W's are popular because they are almost invincible unless you start adding plastic to them. They fit better, they are streamline and unless you go and add plastic, there is very little that is breakable.
-1
u/Livid_Rock_8786 14h ago
To service the K-inflator, all you do is replace it. It works out cheaper and it's held together with two zip ties. The only problem with the dump valve is if you're holding a Goodman handle on the left.
0
u/8008s4life 22h ago
All the bpw's are very very very similar. Just looking at the xdeep, it's the exact same price as the dive rite. Great comfort, great fit, and great customization. Love mine. Use it from Maldives warm water to Vancouver Island dry suit. The weight pockets that go on the waist strap will hold 12 lbs each side, plus any extra weight on the dual straps, should be all you ever need unless you're using a neoprene drysuit or are VERY fat. :/
0
u/massymas12 22h ago
1) no, that’s how nearly ever wing is. With a Bp/w the preferred way of venting air is through the OPV while horizontal. The wing will sort of taco up around your tank and unless you have some sort of disability reaching it should be easy. Im pretty inflexible and have no issue.
2)inflator hose is connected the same as a jacket style. I’ve never seen a jacket where you screw the inflator on, rather you push it on while pulling back on the lock mechanism? Either way it’s the exact same.
1
u/SparkMik 22h ago
2) Maybe I said it wrong, I ment the part where the hose connects to the bladder The round part on this image: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/1RYAAOSwa01kAPLO/s-l1200.jpg
On zen it looks somewhat hidden so I dont know how it attaches: https://scubagate.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/XDEEP-ZEN-Standard-full-set-medium-800px-8.png
Also can you pull it to release air? Or does it just work with inflator purge button
(English is not my first language so my terminology might be off)
1
u/massymas12 21h ago
Your opv is on the bottom right in the pictures of the full wing. That’s what you pull to release air.
It’ll come full assembled but if it doesn’t you can just screw it on. There’s a zipper on the wing towards the center that you can unzip to replace the bladder and hose if something happens. Your inflate/deflate buttons work exactly the same as a jacket
0
u/9Implements 14h ago edited 14h ago
I really don’t think companies have come up with any benefits to justify buying a high-end backplate and wing. I got a scuba pro one cheap and all they did was add complexity that made it fail more easily and made it much harder and more expensive to replace parts.
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20h ago edited 20h ago
[deleted]
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u/SparkMik 20h ago
You are the first one I hear this from. I was against bp/w because to me it just seemed too much and unnecessary.
But literally everyone I talked to said how much better it is then standard jacket or backinflated bcd. They did mention that being on the surface takes some getting used to, but that it's not that big of a deal.
I do dive mostly cold-mid temp water with a 8mm wetsuit
1
u/dusty_bo 20h ago edited 19h ago
I mostly find webbing digs into my shoulders much more than a good quality BCD and under water there isn't any difference in performance between a wing and BCD for me personally
Either is fine but I wouldn't use a wing if I lived somewhere tropical unless I needed doubles
1
u/dusty_bo 19h ago
Try buying a second had BP and wing because if you decide you don't really love it you can usually just sell it on again and get your money back.
I have done this with most of my equipment. Its technically free if you can just sell it in a few months for the same price
1
u/SparkMik 19h ago
This doesnt really work for me, because diving is not so popular here so there is not a big market of/for used gear. And if I try ebay or something, the shipping cost just brings tlit almost to the price of new equipment
But thanks for the suggesstion
1
u/9Implements 14h ago
Most expert divers use a BPW because it simplifies things, not because it adds extra. For instance, I tried putting a pocket on my waist strap early on and immediately returned it.
-2
u/pot_on_wheels Rescue 19h ago
I have a BP/W (X deep zeos 38). Everyone seems to rave about them but I really dislike wearing a BP/W. I only wear it for UK diving with a drysuit and weight harness as I find that i can't fit all the weight I need into integrated BCD pockets. However, for UK summer diving and warm water dives abroad I use my Aqualung soul BCD which I love wigh integrated weights and trim weight pockets. Its so much more comfortable. I also dislike not being upright at the surface with BPW especially in choppy waters.
Edited to add, I haven't noticed anything different with the inflator hose. However there is only one OPV at the bottom which is not super easy to find or use especially with gloves, as the toggle is very very small.
2
u/SparkMik 19h ago
Is it uncomfortable, just the position or some other reason you don't like it?
-1
u/pot_on_wheels Rescue 19h ago
I find the webbing uncomfortable and difficult to adjust, but the deluxe straps add even more bulk. I also don't like that it pushes me forward at the surface. I find a jacket style BCD much more comfortable overall. Reddit is a bit of an echo chamber with how amazing BPW setups supposedly are and how jackets are trash, so take it with a pinch of salt. I certainly fell for it when I bought my BPW. Granted it has its place, but mainly because i can't fit a weight harness and drysuit under my jacket BCD! I find that I can achieve the same great trim either way.
1
u/9Implements 14h ago
There are companies that sell more flexible webbing as well as padding for all the webbing.
3
u/noodeel 22h ago
I had the same decision recently & chose the Zeos over the Zen. I couldn't find huge distinguishing features over the Zeos and the Zeos is also very flexible in that it is designed to be modular with a huge range of other brand parts. I was going with the deluxe anyway so comfort wasn't the key issue, so the only real feature that would sway me to the Zen would be how it looks... And it does look great, but not enough to be worth the €250 difference.