dschonbrun
Contributor
OK folks, since a few recent threads have panned the attempted "innovations" from Mares and Sea Quest (HUB system, and i3 system)... what do you suggest the companies do to improve BC's and how should they execute those improvements?
I learned on a standard reg setup, and simple jacket style BC with an over the left shoulder LP hose connected to a corregated rubber hose for BC inflation.... and purchased gear very similar to what I learned on.
BC's are fundamentally 4 pieces; a backplate, bladder, straps, and a weight belt. What is there to improve?... cable/hose routing perhaps? Comfort? Bells and Whistles? Honestly, I see the inflator valve and LP hose routing as somewhat inelegant and reminiscent of older technologies (ones that did and still do work).
Personally, I feel getting rid of the ribbed BC fill hose would be nice. I could see the manual oral BC fill to be separate from the LP BC fill valve. the integrated dump valve is unecessary as many BC's have dump valves on both shoulders and one or more at the base for use while inverted. These elements don't need to be co-located. as they are never used together.
So, what else can be improved on modern BC's? What innovation can be driven here at SB?
Cheers,
David
I learned on a standard reg setup, and simple jacket style BC with an over the left shoulder LP hose connected to a corregated rubber hose for BC inflation.... and purchased gear very similar to what I learned on.
BC's are fundamentally 4 pieces; a backplate, bladder, straps, and a weight belt. What is there to improve?... cable/hose routing perhaps? Comfort? Bells and Whistles? Honestly, I see the inflator valve and LP hose routing as somewhat inelegant and reminiscent of older technologies (ones that did and still do work).
Personally, I feel getting rid of the ribbed BC fill hose would be nice. I could see the manual oral BC fill to be separate from the LP BC fill valve. the integrated dump valve is unecessary as many BC's have dump valves on both shoulders and one or more at the base for use while inverted. These elements don't need to be co-located. as they are never used together.
So, what else can be improved on modern BC's? What innovation can be driven here at SB?
Cheers,
David