tangible benefits of BP/W over quality back inflate jacket

[scubafanatic]

You can 'score' a very good condition Zeagle Ranger on E-Bay for $ 250 - $ 300 any day of the week, and as that BC was my very 1st BC (and I still have it as my 'reserve' BC) I can testify that it DOES work sufficiently well to be perfectly fine, certainly for a beginner diver...plus it's an off-the-shelf, go diving right now solution....and I added the Zeagle factory crotch strap too. Once I'd been diving a while and had a much better clue about what I wanted in a BC, I eventually went to building custom BC/wings, so now I'm diving a techie/recreational 'hybrid' Deepoutdoors harness/DSS KYDEX BP/Oxy wing 'combo' that I designed/built based on what I wanted in a BCD. Your 1st BC is highly unlikely to be your last BC, you don't have the experience/knowledge base to be anywhere near that point......don't be scared to get a good used Ranger off E-Bay, dive it a while, figure out what you're doing, then graduate (if needed) to the next level, and retire to the 'spares' fleet or sell back on E-Bay the Ranger.

 

[halocline]

I don't think 5 minutes in the pool (much less in a showroom) is going to give anyone a true idea of what is like to dive with either a regular jacket, back inflation jacket or BP/W.

The showroom I agree with, but I noticed a huge difference in diving with a BP/W in about the first 5 seconds, let alone 5 minutes. But, I understand your point that actually doing a couple of complete dives will tell you more about the rig, as you'll learn to adjust to it.

 

[narced_1]

OK...so all of this talk, There have been numerous responses all seemingly in favor or BP/wing.

I used to dive a Zeagle Ranger, then i replaced it with a Dive Rite Transpac...The DR was a significant difference from the Ranger. i would say better...but in reality it was different, it seemed to hold the tank much more solidly and was not "floppy" like the zeagle.

I then got a BP/wing (yeap, from DSS, thank you Tobin) and fell in love pretty immediately
(http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/instructor-instructor/347634-questions-about-bcds.html)

There is no way to know if a BP and wing is right for you, or if a Zeagle or Dive right or seaquest or Mares or Oceanic or ScubaPro is right for you.

I am going to suggest to you the way that i suggest to every student that i have ever certified...Dive Lots of different stuff, borrow, rent swap with friends...do whatever it takes to ACTUALLY dive diffferent gear. I am certain that most people will not have any problem letting you "dive their rig". Do yourself a favor though...don't spend ur hard earned money on a BC without first diving the one(s) you are interested in buying.







shameless Plug time...i have a Dive Rite TransPac for sale....PM, call or email if you want more information.

 

[flots am]

So, I'm shopping for my first BCD, and after reading a lot of posts here, it seems to me that back inflation is the only way to go. Furthermore, it seems a lot of people around here champion the BP/W + harness setup, which seems fine.

This is only because the jacket people don't care if you get one or not, while the BP/W people seem to have a vested interest in promoting them.

The reality is that it's just a bag that can hold air and a place to put your tank. Unless you're diving doubles or are over-weighted, the style of BC you choose shouldn't make a big difference underwater.

flots.

 

[halocline]

This is only because the jacket people don't care if you get one or not, while the BP/W people seem to have a vested interest in promoting them.

The reality is that it's just a bag that can hold air and a place to put your tank. Unless you're diving doubles or are over-weighted, the style of BC you choose shouldn't make a big difference underwater.

flots.

No, it's because those of us who have used both realize the huge difference a BP/W does make over a jacket BC. This is one of the few gear arguments that really does have a big impact on diving, unlike for example which regulator is the best.

 

[formula1mb@aol.com]

I tried a bp/w recently and have to agree it does make a big difference, especially if you use heavy steel tanks.

If you're just using aluminum tanks for occasional vacation diving, a jacket bc should be fine but if you dive frequently and plan to use heavier steel tanks, bp/w is MUCH more stable. Before in any surge with the jacket, I could feel the tank move like crazy and could put my hand back on the tank and easily move it around even with everything strapped down tight. With the bp/w though, even using a steel 130 it's been very stable.

 

[flots am]

No, it's because those of us who have used both realize the huge difference a BP/W does make over a jacket BC. This is one of the few gear arguments that really does have a big impact on diving, unlike for example which regulator is the best.

I dive both regularly and don't see any reason to pick one over the other except that my doubles are too heavy for the jacket BC.

If your BP makes you a better diver, all it means is that you didn't spend the time to get your weighting and trim adjusted properly on your jacket BC.

flots.

 

[adurso]

If someone could find jepuskar's BC vs BP/W video all questions would be answered...

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

No, it's because those of us who have used both realize the huge difference a BP/W does make over a jacket BC. This is one of the few gear arguments that really does have a big impact on diving, unlike for example which regulator is the best.

BC systems and fins are the two most argued over pieces of dive gear.
The thing is everybody is right, in their own minds.

 

[spectrum]

One thing I did notice was I needed less weight overall. .

That is one of the big factors of the BP&W that you leave on the table when you go with a a back inflate BC.

When I went from my Sherwood Avid to a Freedom Plate & Mach5 #30 I dropped 8-10 pounds from my standard weighting. Roughly 1/2 of that is merely transferred weight in the form of the plate. The balance is the elimination of inherent BC padding buoyancy. That bonus was more than I expected.

Pete