bvbellomo
Contributor
I have 69 dives, almost all in an Aqualung Axiom. I am tempted to change and considering a Backplate and wing. Some considerations:
1) The weight pocket system has dropped weights on entry, even when I hear and audible 'click'. I believe I figured out the issue, but I'd rather not deal with the chance of dropping weight accidentally.
2) A BCD long enough to fit my frame and comfortably over my chest is not tight enough at the waist even adjusted as tight as it goes. I am an air hog, and moved from a "12 liter" standard tank (probably aluminum 80) to a "15 liter" tank (probably an aluminum 100) on my last trip. This is a much heavier tank, and with the loose cummerbund, it flops either to my left or my right. A standard tank has this issue too, but no where near as bad since it is lighter. I do have some concern switching, as most harnesses don't even have a waist strap. From my experience hiking, weight should be secure and held mostly by the waist strap. But my primary concern is that the weight stays centered and does not move. The ability to move gracefully with a tank above water, either in a Zodiac or on the dive boat, is important - not just while underwater.
3) I have issues staying horizontal, especially when motionless. I am relatively dense so the tank is a substantial portion of my weight. Having air on my back instead of all around me seems like it would help. I used 8kg weight in the Red Sea with a 5mm wetsuit, so the almost 20kg lift of my Axiom is overkill, even if I had to bring up another diver. And I'd like to lose 10lbs fat before my next trip.
4) The Axiom is not travel friendly. It takes up half the space and almost half the weight of a checked bag by itself.
I do not want a steel backplate, as it seems less travel friendly, and having more weight around my back may be counter productive. Aluminum is the obvious choice, but there are "soft" and "carbon" plates as well.
I have no interest in technical diving or 2 tank dives (unless that makes sense over a larger single tank).
I am overwhelmed by the number of choices but they also all look the same to me. Trying before buying or getting advice from my dive shop (which pushed the Axiom and favors BCDs) is not the way to go. But I will probably buy something and alternate a few local boring quarry dives to compare both so I am sure I like the new system before going anywhere interesting.
1) The weight pocket system has dropped weights on entry, even when I hear and audible 'click'. I believe I figured out the issue, but I'd rather not deal with the chance of dropping weight accidentally.
2) A BCD long enough to fit my frame and comfortably over my chest is not tight enough at the waist even adjusted as tight as it goes. I am an air hog, and moved from a "12 liter" standard tank (probably aluminum 80) to a "15 liter" tank (probably an aluminum 100) on my last trip. This is a much heavier tank, and with the loose cummerbund, it flops either to my left or my right. A standard tank has this issue too, but no where near as bad since it is lighter. I do have some concern switching, as most harnesses don't even have a waist strap. From my experience hiking, weight should be secure and held mostly by the waist strap. But my primary concern is that the weight stays centered and does not move. The ability to move gracefully with a tank above water, either in a Zodiac or on the dive boat, is important - not just while underwater.
3) I have issues staying horizontal, especially when motionless. I am relatively dense so the tank is a substantial portion of my weight. Having air on my back instead of all around me seems like it would help. I used 8kg weight in the Red Sea with a 5mm wetsuit, so the almost 20kg lift of my Axiom is overkill, even if I had to bring up another diver. And I'd like to lose 10lbs fat before my next trip.
4) The Axiom is not travel friendly. It takes up half the space and almost half the weight of a checked bag by itself.
I do not want a steel backplate, as it seems less travel friendly, and having more weight around my back may be counter productive. Aluminum is the obvious choice, but there are "soft" and "carbon" plates as well.
I have no interest in technical diving or 2 tank dives (unless that makes sense over a larger single tank).
I am overwhelmed by the number of choices but they also all look the same to me. Trying before buying or getting advice from my dive shop (which pushed the Axiom and favors BCDs) is not the way to go. But I will probably buy something and alternate a few local boring quarry dives to compare both so I am sure I like the new system before going anywhere interesting.