Looking for a new bcd- Help pls

[emo33]

Hi there,

Willing to change my jacket style bcd (Tigullo seaborn) with a back inflate one.
Does any one have an experience with "Mares Dragon" ? As far as I know this is
one is "semi back inflate" bcd. Any good ?

How is Aqualung's range ?

Any other recommendation would higly be appreciated

Thanks for your kind replies in advance.

Emre

 

[DevonDiver]

What particular features are you looking for? Why back inflate? (will help us advise you more accurately)

I can easily tell you what I like, and give you validation why my choices are excellent for me... but there's a good chance that our preferences and needs might be different.

For what it's worth, I like a 'proper' back-inflate... i.e. a BP&W. Either Halcyon, Oxycheq or DSS. I find them to me far more rugged, far more lightweight, offer better trim control, more streamlined, less positively buoyant, reduce the weight on my weightbelt, pack easier for travelling, less to entangle and are absolutely customizable to my needs. They also allow me to form a more integrate approach to my overall configuration and diving style. But that's just me....

 

[BDSC]

I can highly recommend the Scubapro Seahawk for a back inflate BC. Scubapro makes a great product and it should last you for many years.

 

[MMAIER]

Last year I swithced from a jacket to a BP&W and it changed my life. I don't know why these are not introduced to students in the begining. Mybe the shops intentionally set you up to buy everything twice.

 

[CaptJay]

i have a zeagle backplate bc brand new for sale.. it has a 44 pound lift bladder.. and I will sell for 300.00 bucks.. I just won it and dont need it.. Here is a picture of it..

 

[Krazytomdiver]

As a dive guide,I recommend the Scubapro Knighthawk,ten years & still holding my tank on. Expensive but worth it.

"living life without a hard bottom"
KT

 

[BDSC]

As a dive guide,I recommend the Scubapro Knighthawk,ten years & still holding my tank on. Expensive but worth it.

Another excellent choice. I only went with the Seahawk because I liked the new pocket design better but to tell the truth, I rarely find myself putting anything in the pockets.

 

[emo33]

Thanks for all kind replies so far,

I am not looking for a technical bp&w bcd.. What I am looking for is a comfortable, weight integrated (not willing wear weight belt anymore) , high lift capacity and a proper horizontal swiming (since taking photos with my G11) during the dive..

Bp&w bcds are looks like complicated for me..

I think I will either go for Mares Dragon or Mares Icon mrs

Any comment ?

Thanks

 

[Capt.Gene]

When you try it on in a dive shop and have it snugged down correctly, have someone grap the tank bands and see if the BC can be made to swing around or move around on your back. It will, perhaps.
Try this same thing with a Stiletto by Zeagle. It won't move an inch unless you get air bourne with the force of the demo.
I demand proper trim and I do not like the sensation of a tank moving around on my back.
Some brands of BC's sell themselves in a well stocked show room where there's lots to select from.
Some divers migrate to BP/Wings because they don't like the way some BC's fit and dive.
Before you buy something else you might want to look at a Stiletto.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

Last year I swithced from a jacket to a BP&W and it changed my life. I don't know why these are not introduced to students in the begining. Mybe the shops intentionally set you up to buy everything twice.

IMHO, the vast majority of beginning "open water" divers should learn how to dive in a vest BC. By this I mean the student figuring out how to manipulate the bubble in the "stability" bladder and coordinating body movements to position one's self in the positions best for each moment in "open water."

Then, after learning how to be in control of your body position underwater, decisions about where you might go in diving possibly leads one to different gear. Some of us end up deciding that being fully in control of one's body position is more important than relinquishing control to the gear.

The vast majority of downhill ski champions did not learn to ski on downhill racing skis, the vast majority of tow-in surfers did not learn how to surf on tow-in boards, the vast majority of jet pilots did not learn to fly in jets, etc to infinity .......