Question Buddy Commando APV200 - Decent BCD?

[Zef]

What I am wandering is - is this BCD worth the effort? Is is a good BCD? or should I just bite the bullet and by a new one (Perhaps a Scubapro one) which is brand new and can be done locally?

The fact that you are asking this question is that your gut is already telling you something.

Unless you are emotionally attached to this BCD because it equates to whatever was the British/Scotish version of the Chevy Impala that you got laid in for the very first time, you should follow the instincts that led you to ask the above question in the first place.

The reality is you were donated this BCD, so the emotional attachment eluded to above, does not exist....hence, the answer to your question.

I am not opposed to using older gear...hardware (metal, such as regulator 1st stages) fares better with age and use if taken care of than softer gear made from fabric and plastic.

Or you can conduct a £200+ experiment...and if/when you make it back, you can tell us all about it.

-Z

 

[MarkA]

The fact that you are asking this question is that your gut is already telling you something.

Unless you are emotionally attached to this BCD because it equates to whatever was the British/Scotish version of the Chevy Impala that you got laid in for the very first time, you should follow the instincts that led you to ask the above question in the first place.

The reality is you were donated this BCD, so the emotional attachment eluded to above, does not exist....hence, the answer to your question.

I am not opposed to using older gear...hardware (metal, such as regulator 1st stages) fares better with age and use if taken care of than softer gear made from fabric and plastic.

Or you can conduct a £200+ experiment...and if/when you make it back, you can tell us all about it.

-Z

No one so far has suggested spending £200+ on refurbishing this Buddy Commando. We don't know the age of this BC, only that it is post 2007 (from 2007 to present). We don't know the overall condition (presumably needs work).

Buddy commando spare parts are easily available from the original manufacturer at a reasonable price. I did some repairs on my pre 2007 Buddy commando and the parts (including inflator service kit, other part and postage) was £16.54. If this free BC can be brought back to serviceable condition cheaply, why not. All depends what is wrong with it.

 

[neevo]

100% with MarkA. If the jacket and bladder are in decent condition, I’d replace some plastic parts for safety and performance (holding air) and you’ll be back up and running in a rugged jacket for not a lot of money (certainly less than $250, £125). Even replace the inflator with a basic one as long as you have an octopus (you can get inflators from China for peanuts, or you can spend a lot. Just needs a 1” input to match the corrugated hose).

If the jacket is rough and the bladder is leaky. I’d move on and find something else.