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 are a good option for scuba divers that aren't sure which type to get. Below are the pros and cons for each.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel back plate and wings are available with or without a harness. For the wings and backplate, 316 stainless-steel will be used. It is extremely saltwater resistant. It is cut with a CNC machine and polished manually to avoid sharp edges that can prematurely wear the strap. They can also be used with a single-air-tank system or dual-air-tank systems. To make it easier to store, the wings are and stainless steel backplate can be taken off.
Stainless steel backplates are heavier than aluminium. Stainless steel backplates work well in colder climates and will reduce your weight while diving. Unlike lead pieces, stainless steel backplates are easy to adjust to fit most dive tanks. A Halcyon Dealer may be able to give weighting advice so you can determine the best weight for your body. You won't need to replace this backplate as often because it will last longer.
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 also have features such as pockets and weight integration. However, the backplate and wing system does not have any of these ancillary features. These parts are also available separately. We will be discussing the pros and cons for each. It is important to choose the right back plate for you.
Softpack harness
There are many types of harnesses available for wings and back plates. The most popular are wing BCDs (backplates) and wing plates. They include all of the essential components, such as a harness, backplate, and wing, and allow the user to customize the harness with a range of adjustable features. Softpack BCDs are perfect for technical divers as they are made from lightweight, flexible materials and are not attached with a rigid plate.
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. The steel harness, while the most rigid, is also very cumbersome and difficult to use during travel. 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.