What Are the Advantages of Diving in a TekStar Dive System?

The Eight Advantages of Diving in a TekStar Dive System

Like most beginners, the divers at TekStar started with the typical route of holiday diving and followed the crowd using traditional gear, including the standard buoyancy compensation device (BCD).

The BCD jacket was first produced in 1971, and modern designs haven’t changed much, no matter what the advertising might try and convince you.

This system is still standard in dive centres worldwide, particularly in busy resorts, so you were likely stuck in one for your open water course.

The backplate and wing system (BP/W) also has roots in the 1970s, when cave divers first used it. The system kept its reputation as being just for technical diving until quite recently when enlightened divers realised the many benefits it offers all scuba divers, even beginners.

At TekStar, we believe that every diver, regardless of their age, ability, style or frequency of diving, will find advantages in using a wing system.

In fact, one of our founders was so sure about the positive effects of getting in a wing as early as possible he made sure that his 10-year-old daughter learned in one from the very beginning. Frankly speaking, her ability in the water puts the rest of us to shame. Wish we’d had the advantage!

Enlightened dive shops and instructors, particularly those associated with the more open-minded training agencies, are now teaching new and existing students with backplates and wings.

The quality of the divers produced is a clear testament to the system’s advantages.

So, if you’re interested in investing in equipment that can improve your diving, grow with you and make your underwater experience more relaxing and enjoyable, let’s look at the advantages of diving in a TekStar wing system and see why we think they’re a no-brainer.

1.   Versatile Modular System Supplied Completely Assembled

The TekStar backplate, wing and harness are modular, meaning some or all of the elements can be used even if your diving needs change dramatically in the future. This is a massive advantage over a BCD, a fixed design for only one purpose.

As you grow into your diving hobby, the early investment in a modular system keeps your options open without starting entirely from scratch each time, as we’re about to see.

If all that sounds complicated, here’s where we’ve made it easy. TekStar modular dive systems come complete with everything you need, fully assembled and ready to go.

For example, the highly popular TekStar Xplorer  Dive System includes the following:

• • Aluminium Backplate

• • Fully Adjustable Harness

• • 30lbs Capacity Wing

• • Single Tank Adapter with Cam Bands

Just fit it onto your tank, connect your regulator, and you’re ready to dive.

2.   Readily Adjustable – If You Need To

The modular nature of the TekStar system means they’re straightforward to upgrade or modify.

However, as we’ve just mentioned, everything you need comes in the TekStar box, so you won’t need to worry about this now!

For example, if you want to dive with double tanks, your backplate and harness are ready. You just need to remove the included single-tank adapter.

The included 30lb wing is a great all-rounder for almost all divers and conditions. However, if you ever need an increased lift, say if you move onto more advanced tech diving, you can easily switch to one of our higher-capacity wings. Everything else stays the same.

Most divers won’t ever need to do this. But isn’t it great to know that the option is there without starting all over again?

You can use your TekStar system for open water recreational fun dives or technical diving. You get to choose.

Upgrading could be as simple as adding a D-ring in a personally preferred place. You can easily do this on your harness, but try the same on a BCD. Practically impossible!

3.   Long Service Life

The modular system we’ve already mentioned gives your TekStar diving setup a significantly longer service life compared to a BCD.

We use the best quality materials available anywhere, but we can replace almost every component individually if something breaks or becomes worn.

In addition, you’re making a long-term investment that can grow with your diving without needing to be replaced entirely.

Unlike a BCD, your backplate, harness and wing will likely last the entire length of your diving life, and if you do advance and need to make a change, as we’ve already mentioned, you can do this without having to repurchase everything.

So while this style of gear may be a little more expensive than the cheap, mass-produced BCDs, they’re going to save you in the long run.

4.   Built-in Weight

What’s the thing that most divers complain about? Heavy and uncomfortable weight belts!

Thankfully, the TekStar Dive Wing System can help solve this problem due to the aluminium backplate at its core.

By positioning weight comfortably on your back as part of the dive system, you’ll need less lead on your weight belt. It can also help balance your trim, reducing the required weight overall.

When diving in shorts and a rash vest in the tropics, you might not need any weight or just a kilo or two. Sounds great, right?

5.   Improved Streamlining and In-water Position (Trim)

The minimalist design of the backplate and wing is streamlined and reduces drag in the water. The front area of your body is completely clear, giving you a much cleaner profile as you dive.

This style also encourages a superior position in the water, known as trim.

Much of this is due to locating weight on your back, further up your body than a weight belt or integrated BCD weight system will allow.

Having all your weight lower on your hip encourages the “seahorse position” that’s common in many BCD divers.

Our TekStar systems distribute the weight more evenly and help you dive flatter. Ideal for getting close to the bottom to take a photo without kicking up the sand or getting through that narrow swim through.

Your trim is improved further by the wing providing lift only on your back instead of under your arms and around your waist with a BCD.

The instability caused by air moving around your body in the BCD as you move is one of the biggest challenges to inexperienced divers staying in position, particularly if the BCD doesn’t fit properly. 

Many divers are surprised by the improvements they see in air consumption when they switch to a wing, thanks to the reduced effort they experience by diving in a more natural and relaxed horizontal posture.

6.   Enhanced Buoyancy Control

A backplate and wing give better buoyancy control by providing a better feel for what is happening in the water as you dive.

New users often describe the harness as like being in a cradle. You can readily feel if it is pulling you up (positive buoyancy) or pushing you down (negative). You can also find the magical neutral position, where your gear is almost unnoticeable on your back.

With the wing only providing lift from above rather than hugging you all around, you can achieve greater control with far smaller adjustments.

7.   Easily Adjustable

You don’t need to worry about choosing from a massive range of sizes as you do with a BCD. The harness is almost infinitely adjustable to fit any shape of diver.

The webbing can be completely personalised and is easy to modify if, for example, you switch from a thin wetsuit to a drysuit or experience weight fluctuations.

The ability to adjust the harness also means that our TekStar wing systems are ideal for younger divers. Parents don’t need to worry about them being outgrown in a year.

8.   Improved Comfort

Many divers find a backplate and wing more comfortable than a traditional BCD.

The backplate not only spreads the weight across your body, but the harness means the load is placed more naturally onto your shoulders when walking on land rather than hanging around your waist.

Bonus Advantage – You Look Awesome!

Would you rather look like a diver from the seventies or someone ready to participate in an advanced technical dive?

Do you want to be seen in perfect trim, like a dive guru moving effortlessly through the water, or like a beginner, vertical and overweighted?

We know your answers already, so a TekStar diving system is your only choice.

Conclusion

Whether you are starting your open water course, are a professional diver diving daily, a technical diver going to impressive depths, or a dive centre teaching students, TekStar diving systems have something for you.

The advantages of diving with a wing and backplate system include being more streamlined, having better buoyancy control, improved comfort with greater levels of adjustment and can be flexibly and inexpensively used for different types of diving thanks to the modular design.

They also make better divers!

At TekStar, we feel that traditional BCDs are no longer fit for purpose. Every diver should be encouraged to learn in, or transition to, a wing setup, regardless of experience, and discover the benefits that will make their diving easier, more encompassing and more fun.

TekStar Dive Systems are supplied complete, are hard-wearing, customisable, adaptable and designed to last even as you grow and change as a diver.

The TekStar Dive System comes in three base configurations that suit every diver.

However, if you need something out of the ordinary, please get in touch, and we’ll be happy to discuss and ensure we meet your needs.