Confused about BCD type choice- Help needed

[impulse]

Hello,

I am trying to figure out which bcd type is best for me. I am a recreational diver but I want to move into the tech era sometime in the future so I want to buy a wing type bcd, to buy it once and use it a long time. I do not want to spend extra money for a bcd when I move into the tech diving. Do you think that wing type bcd's are not suitable for rec diving and why?

I also like the tech diving bcd's for the reason that you can adjust it how you wish. What are your suggestions about a tech diving wing type bcd?

Which online store has the best prices? Could you please advise me some?

Thank you.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I am a recreational OW diver, and I use a BP/W rig. It works great.

As with other dive gear, you should try out a BC before you buy it. Offering up "Mars" as your location in your profile isn't very helpful. I don't know where you live, but perhaps you could join a dive club or meet up with some divers who use BP/Ws. There's a decent chance that those divers would be generous enough to let you use a BP/W for a dive or two.

In terms of in-water performance, there isn't a huge difference between the rear-inflate "conventional" BCDs and BP/Ws. You might be able to rent one or both BCDs at a local dive shop.

Since you intend to move toward technical diving, it would make a lot of sense to make the transition to a BP/W now. Just make sure that someone is around to help you get it adjusted properly. That can make a big difference.

Good online stores include: Divegearexpress.com, Scubatoys.com, Deepseasupply.com, Northeastscubasupply.com, and Leisurepro.com. There are many other good ones out there.

Initially, I recommend going with the cheapest, simplest harness (basic Hogarthian harness). For sizing the wing (to ensure that it has enough lift for your needs), Tobin at Deep Sea Supply can be very helpful. He can also help advise you on what kind of backplate to get (AL or Kydex vs. SS) -- this will depend on how much ballast you require (determined by wetsuit/drysuit buoyancy, which ultimately depends on the temperature of the water you're diving). You can start a thread in the DSS Manufacturer Forum to get help from him. DSS rigs are quite nice BTW.

Good luck!

 

[spectrum]

Impulse,

At this point there's no reason not to go with a backplate & wing but the savings may not add up to anything.

You will undoubtedly start out with a single cylinder rig. When you do tech (assuming doubles) you will need to get a suitable wing (the few sold as either/or are compromises at best) Once your are in for a wing, cylinders, bands, manifold and a secondary regulator a new plate & harneess are peanuts. It also means you aren't wasting time configuring gear.

Pete

 

[a22shady]

My opinon BP/W are great i like them better then the Jacket BCD as they are more streamline, easier and more custom adjutment and fit, and better weight distribution. I dive the Halcyon Eclipse it's an awesome BC and will grow with you as your diving does. If one day you find yourself wanting to dive doubles instead of having to buy a whole new BC system all you would need is a doubles wing.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

i like them better then the Jacket BCD as they are more streamline

Do you have a link to any data that supports this opinion?

 

[boulderjohn]

If I understand the question, the OP is not asking if BP/Ws are better than, worse than, or equal to any other style. I believe he intends to go the technical route in the future, knows he will need a BP/W then, and wants to know if it will be OK for recreational diving now.

If that is the question, then he has already gotten the answer: it will work just fine for that purpose.

I don't see any reason for this thread to go down another road which has been too often traveled.

 

[a22shady]

Do you have a link to any data that supports this opinion?

Yea right here

My opinon

Just how I felt and noticed the difference between the two

 

[Puffer Fish]

If I understand the question, the OP is not asking if BP/Ws are better than, worse than, or equal to any other style. I believe he intends to go the technical route in the future, knows he will need a BP/W then, and wants to know if it will be OK for recreational diving now.

If that is the question, then he has already gotten the answer: it will work just fine for that purpose.

I don't see any reason for this thread to go down another road which has been too often traveled.

John, you are so right on that.

As to where to buy, well with a BP/W, you might end up, if you want the best deal, getting that parts from different places. My warm water BP/W is made up of 6 different mfg's parts, bought from 4 different locations.

 

[TSandM]

As already mentioned, without knowing where you are, it's hard to advise you what might work best.

Backplate setups are perfectly good for recreational diving; I did three years worth of recreational diving in mine before I ever did any kind of dive that might be considered technical, and I still do my recreational diving in one.

You DO have to buy a different wing to use doubles. Don't fall into the trap of thinking you can buy one wing that will do both jobs, because no one wing can. You will compromise on performance in both settings.

 

[impulse]

Thanks a whole lot for all of the answers. All the answers support me to buy a BP/W BCD. That is really great I now feel more confident about starting to set up my BP/W set.

Bubbletrubble, I will look up for Hogarthian harnesses. Thanks for your assistence. I will go check deep sea supply as you suggested.

Boulderjohn, you are perfectly right about your assuption of what I tried to ask. You made me more clear. Thank you.

I do not understand one point. Why do I need to buy a a wing for single tanks. Is it not possible to buy a wing for doubles and use it with a single tank adapter?

I know need to know how can I buy all parts inexpensive. I am not a rich guy so I cannot spend hundreds of dollars on a BP/W bcd. I must chose the brands and prices carefully. What do you suggest? Thare are harnesses for 65 bucks and goes upto as much as 500 bucks. What makes the difference for the price difference? Quality? It’s the same for the backplates and wings also.

And what I really need to buy for to set up a BP/W type bcd. I know I need an harness, a backplate, a wing (double tank ones would do the job because I think that I can use it with a single tank adapter as I ask above), backpad and shoulderpad.

What are the best brands in terms of price and performance?

Thank you.