BP&W or Axiom (Aqualung) or Black Ice ( Apeks ) ?

[Corleone]

hello everybody,

I am AOW and Nitrox been doing all the previous dives in jacket style only and i thoughts thats is all untill i start doing a lil research and found out there is also back inflated and others also known as bp&w. my main goal is to achive a good trim underwater instead of spending most of my dive time trying to adjust my buoyancy. where i live in UAE, LDC don't have the varity of options where someone can try to chose from, they all have basic jacket style.

i will be only doing a recreational diving, althought its tempting to at least try tech diving even for once.

one of the LDC were recommending Axiom by Aqualung, or Black Ice by apeks. BP/W concept is almost not available here.

so, which one would you recommend? somehow im drawn toward BP&W but then i have to do all the assembly and maintinance. i also don't wana wear a weight built. would BP&W be good for cave and wreck penetrations thought, i don't think we have caves in here but i wana keep my options available. is BP&W easy for replacing tank in case of second dive or do i have to disassemble a lot of parts ? on what base can i choose what plate or wing or harnes to buy taking in consideration it will all be online.

thankx and sorry if i said too much.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Shoot me a PM with your email. I have an article with pictures that will address most of your BPW questions. Short version: BPW's are more versatile, easy to set up, and you do not have to take a bunch of stuff apart to change tanks.

 

[phoenix31tt]

then i have to do all the assembly and maintinance.

you can get your unit pre-assmembled from some shops. Besides typical self care, regular maintainance of your BC would just include servicing the inflator, which any shop should be able to do.

i also don't wana wear a weight built.

bpw does not mean HAVING to wear a weight belt... i have weight pockets attached to my harness

would BP&W be good for cave and wreck penetrations

they are primarily used in technical diving so yes

is BP&W easy for replacing tank in case of second dive or do i have to disassemble a lot of parts

its no different than a regular BCD

? on what base can i choose what plate or wing or harnes to buy taking in consideration it will all be online.

there are several online shops who will speak to you and give you accurate advice for the type of setup required.
i spoke to Jim Lapenta on this board from UDM Aquatics and i'm extremely happy with his recommendation

also alot of people have experience with and recommend DSS equipment



edit: Jim beat me to it ... btw the article that Jim mentioned allayed all my fears long ago when i was thinking about BP/W vs Traditional

 

[dvankirk]

i will be only doing a recreational diving, althought its tempting to at least try tech diving even for once.

I don't know about trying tec diving just once, but bp/w's are suitable for all types of divers. Just get it set up from a good source and you will love it. The progression with diving almost always goes this direction - the more that you dive, the less bells and whistles that you need or want.

That is, until you do want to try tec diving (Doubles, isolator valves, dry suit, bands, deco bottles, numerous reg sets, can lights, etc, etc.).

 

[Corleone]

I don't know about trying tec diving just once

just wana see how does it feels like when you are, lets say 60m underwater ?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Actually the same as when you are 10 ft under. Other than the narcosis. And I will not go below 120 or so without helium in the mix. Seriously, I have been in quarries with no visual reference,everything green, and other than the water temp it was actually more nerve racking than being at 160 feet in 40 degree water.

 

[Corleone]

bpw does not mean HAVING to wear a weight belt... i have weight pockets attached to my harness
I have read some bad critics regarding bpw and weight pockets?

they are primarily used in technical diving so yes

aren't they kinda big/huge for penetration?

sorry, i don't know how to do a multi quote.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Article on the way. Check your email.

 

[Corleone]

Actually the same as when you are 10 ft under. Other than the narcosis. And I will not go below 120 or so without helium in the mix. Seriously, I have been in quarries with no visual reference,everything green, and other than the water temp it was actually more nerve racking than being at 160 feet in 40 degree water.

i thought recreational scuba divers can go as deep as 40m = 131 ft with air?

maybe with nitrox buttom time can be extended a bit !!

helium and trimix is for deeper than recreational limit, like 50m = 164 ft and deeper ?

 

[phoenix31tt]

Jim's article will discuss weight pockets as well, but with the weight I need, my very small trim weight pockets are not such a disadvantage.... It's adding the big pockets for other stuff that usually bulks up your harness

you will find that single tank bp/w's are actually smaller than traditional bc's... my current BP/W is smaller than my older BCD and my wifes more minimal rare inflate BC... either way... no BP/W will prevent you from doing any kind of technical diving