Alright, im upgrading to a backplate system. Already got everything picked out I want. 32lb bladder, harness and the plate itself. this is where my concerns come into play.

during the winter months I dive a 7mm semi-dry, do you think a SS plate with a LP121 would be enough to get me down?

Also during the summer months, should I switch to a aluminum plate cause the SS will be too much negative boyency?

no & no.

I'm fat and out of shape and can dive my 3mm suit with 95's or 120's and no weight. I add about 6-8 pounds with a 7mm one piece suit. 120's get a little light when they are down to a couple hundred psi. so I where 8 pounds with them. I can also dive it with a skin in the summer and it is not too heavy at all. My back plate is about 6 lbs and my tank adapter is aluminum. Don't get a stainless tank adapter for the extra weight. No one will want to help you with your pack, it is too damn heavy. Ask Marcus.

Take care of yourself over there Brandon!

Kewl, so a SS plate will do me all year round...

Let me run this down real fast. Basically all I need is my wing of choice, plate of choice and harness correct? Do I need anything else?

Im picking up the zeagle back plate system with deluxe harness and a 32 or 35lb wing. It was either do this, or try and get one of the new Stiletto extreame deals from Zeagle, which I havent seen any for sale publicly yet.

I have a SS plate and SS tank adapter. The only time I've been light is diving a 5mil full suit and aluminum tank.
Regardless, if you ever get light, it's not hard to strap a couple weights to your backplate.

I figure if I get outfitted with the zeagle gear, they make the rip cord pockets that attach right to the plate and will allow for any amount of weight I want. That will do me nicely...

now I just gotta get into contact with zeagle express or AO and get all the stuff ordered so its ready to go when I get home.

First question for you is: what is your normal weight belt with your 7mm to safely dive?

Second question is what it the weight of your SS Backplate?

The difference is your sum total for comfortable, safe diving...

I have added neoprene ankle weights with tie straps to my backplate for what florida divers call cold water diving... My 5mm winter vs 3mm.

Massive delta with diving in Maine with water temps avg 35-38 for 7-8 months a year, and summer diving. Drysuit vs 7mm wet.

The one area of safety I would highly reccomend focussing on diving using a backplate, steel tank and no weight belt.... Would be to reiterate with cogency a pony bottle; most divers are not in shape and or strong enough to kick with negative bouyancy from 90, 80 hell 70FSW in a out of air emergency to the surface; not being able to "drop" any weight as it's on your back....

Hence the redundancy. It's one thing to have double bladders redundantly connected to different air sources verses a single baldder, no weight belt and no back up air supply...

The testosterone of spearfishermen at times neglects the basic premis and fundamental fact; DIVER FIST- Task loading be it Spearfishing or any other task; is task loading...

Keep it simple, minimize all equipment failure as Sir Murphy will always arrive when you have other plans... However; redundacy in life support will, when utilized with due dilligence get you back to the surface...

If you have any questions, fire at me.. I have 3 backplate set ups. Spearfishing, technical penetration (more than 800+ dives below 350FSW) beyond keeping track of shipwreck penetrations and cave diving all over the world and sport reacreational fun with the other half while traveling is my third back plate...

Kewl, so a SS plate will do me all year round...

Let me run this down real fast. Basically all I need is my wing of choice, plate of choice and harness correct? Do I need anything else?

Im picking up the zeagle back plate system with deluxe harness and a 32 or 35lb wing. It was either do this, or try and get one of the new Stiletto extreame deals from Zeagle, which I havent seen any for sale publicly yet.

You can get a Stilletto Extreme from Zeagle Express...just call capt Gene.

You can get a Stilletto Extreme from Zeagle Express...just call capt Gene.

I think im gonna go with the plate Charlie, The stilletto is nice and all, but I dont need some of its features. I already got a pony rig and the OctoZ deal that comes with them so I dont need to spend the extra money to get that stuff. Plus my plate set-up will cost me almost $200 less than the stilletto.