Buying a tech BCD prematurely?

[SeaHound]

Eventually, I would like to get into tech diving but right now I am relatively new to the sport (33 dives). I am looking to buy a BCD which I could dive with for the next 100 dives as that is the number of dives, pre-requisite for tech diving courses.

Seems like tech diving is a long way from where I am. To the more experienced people I would like to ask if I should buy a tech BCD now? or should I get a simple single tank BCD and worry about dual tank wing when I get there?

Thanks for your help.

 

[almitywife]

why not get a bpw? then you can change wings with your diving

and not all people that wear this equip do tech dives, for me it just feels comfy and more streamlined

cheers

 

[PCBCaptChris]

You can get a standard jacket BC setup and use it only for recreational OW diving, or you can get equipment typically associated with technical diving and use it through out your diving with only minor modification. Therein saving you some cash and letting you get more familiar and comfortable in one set of gear. You can get a back-plate and a smaller wing with a Single Tank Adaptor. Then get a larger wing, and not use the STA later....
In fact there is a school of though out there which says that is really the only way to go. Check out the DIR folks forum (Disclaimer, I am not, and do not advocate Doing-Things-Right )

 

[cool_hardware52]

Eventually, I would like to get into tech diving but right now I am relatively new to the sport (33 dives). I am looking to buy a BCD which I could dive with for the next 100 dives as that is the number of dives, pre-requisite for tech diving courses.

Seems like tech diving is a long way from where I am. To the more experienced people I would like to ask if I should buy a tech BCD now? or should I get a simple single tank BCD and worry about dual tank wing when I get there?

Thanks for your help.

There is no reason why you cannot do all the recreational diving you might want to do in a Backplate and Wing. There is nothing particularly "TECH" about a BP&W. They are the BC of choice for Tech divers, but many, many recreational divers use then routinely.

By starting with a BP&W and simple harness your will have only to change the wing when it becomes time to transition to doubles.

Tobin

 

[PaulSmithTek]

There is no reason why you cannot do all the recreational diving you might want to do in a Backplate and Wing. There is nothing particularly "TECH" about a BP&W. They are the BC of choice for Tech divers, but many, many recreational divers use then routinely.

By starting with a BP&W and simple harness your will have only to change the wing when it becomes time to transition to doubles.

Tobin

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

If you asking if you should get a doubles BC or wing and use it with a single tank I think most people would say no. The larger wing will be in the wrong place negatively impact your trim, and be poorly streamlined. The modularity of a BP/W is a good thing since you can swap out an singles wing for a doubles wing with no other changes to your configration. Take a look at the systems from Oxycheq, OMS, Salvo, DSS and Halcyon.

Also most "tech" bc's are not very tech.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Eventually, I would like to get into tech diving but right now I am relatively new to the sport (33 dives). I am looking to buy a BCD which I could dive with for the next 100 dives as that is the number of dives, pre-requisite for tech diving courses.

Seems like tech diving is a long way from where I am. To the more experienced people I would like to ask if I should buy a tech BCD now? or should I get a simple single tank BCD and worry about dual tank wing when I get there?

Thanks for your help.

Your profile doesn't say where you are... so, if you're nearby, come to Adventure Sports' Tech Day tomorrow and you can try out one of Tobin's rigs with a single tank & see how easy and comfy it is.
Rick

 

[jimdiverman]

I started out in recreational diving with a Transpak. It has a great donut shaped wing ideally suited for a new diver, and facilitates good trim in the water. Even though I am now doing tech diving with doubles, I still like to use the Transpak for diving recreational on a single tank. So in effect, my recreational diving setup is my Transpak for a single tank, and my technical diving setup is a BP/W with classical redundant wing for diving in doubles.

I keep both setups in good working order even though I am currently primarily diving doubles and working on technical diving skills.

 

[covediver]

Good question.

Don;t get hung up on labels. "tec" gear is is a style of gear designed for the rigors of the activity, it is also a marketing tool. For recreational diving it may be overengineered but it is cool to be tec therefore wanting to sell bc's the manufacturers market it as tec. You may be the only person to ask whether or not you were ready for it, the kind of question the manufacturers don't want you to ask as it may lead to you not buying their product. Having said that, it the gear works for you and you are comfortable with it, why not. My first bc with 10 dives was Seaquest backmount, what would be called "wings" or "tec" style today. I bought it because it was the only bc of the time that comfortably fit my frame.

 

[K9Pig]

SeaHound, I am also in the same situation as you. I did all my training for OW in a rec bc and since then I've dove nothing but BPW. It is more comfortable and streamlined. Maybe contact your LDS or other friends to see if they have a set up you could try out some weekend. You are in the right spot for receiving valuable info on the subject. There are alot of different companies/products out there on the market. Check out Hollis No Limits website Hollis Gear. Hollis has designed products to accommodate the rec diver to the exploratory, technical diver. Good Luck.