I need to replace my (very old) Mares BCD, which is literally falling to pieces. I am a travelling photographer and prefer a classic jacket and do not care for integrated weights. Need good pockets, low weight and D-rings. Much appreciate advice on models. Cheers!
Advice on new BCD
- Thread starter Christian
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ontdiver
Contributor
Have you tried on any BCDs? What do you like/dislike about those you may have tried? Are you limited by a budget?
First GREAT photos in gallery....I have always had good luck with Mares BCD [jacket]...I agree with not having integrated weight pockets if you can avoid the need for extra weight [this depends of course on thermal suit, tank and gear/body buoyancy]...still a fan of weight belts even with my XDeep wings when needed...too much weight in floatation then add tanks/gear and it is a bear to lug around...
Not what you were asking about...sorry for extra stuff...Mares is always a safe choice.
I understand why you have weights. Your statement seemed to be that one problem with integrated weights is it makes the BCD heavy to lug around. My question was why are you lugging it around with the weights pouches filled and in the pockets? I assume you do not drape your weight belt over the rig and lug it around all together....
OK....trying to understand your "why"....with tank and reg [all gear] and weights in place the total weight to move can be not just heavy and a grunt but can pose a real problem getting to water.....shore diving still exists and walking with 70+lbs on your back across sand and over cobble, boulders, rock ledges can be a balancing act at best...even if diving from a RIB hoisting the gear up to put it on is a balancing issue and depending on dry/wet suit a struggle....putting weights into the BCD while in water always poses a problem and off the shore is not an option...yes, at some point you must put weights into BCD or tank pouches...the distribution when putting gear on is critical.
You wear a weight belt not lug it around when suiting up and for me not having as much weight on shoulders /back but around waist is easier for me to balance and move with.
Look, this is just what I have experienced that the minimum weight carried on the shoulders/back when entering water is better than struggling to balance or lift a heavy rig to put on and how you balance that minimum required weight, in my case with a weight belt, for me is crucial for a safe entry and exit from water.
No recommendations for anyone, just how it works for me.
TBH, I haven't tried any other BCD:s in a good while ... Not really a budget limit. It must have good pockets, D-rings and lowish weight since I fly with dive gear + camera gear. I do not need integrated weights and I do prefer a classic "stab" and not plate/wing. I've found it better for all idiotic positions I end up in as a photographer. Once I have a few potential BCD:s that meet my needs, I'll scout and try on.
By far the best BCD cargo pockets I have used are on the Aqualung Dimension. The hip belt and pockets on the Dimension are mounted lower than most other BCDs so are easy to access. Not jammed under your armpits like most BCD pockets. And since it is back inflate, inflating the BCD on the surface doesn’t cramp the pockets.
Also a very comfortable harness for walking to a shore entry and good places to secure your octo and SPG,
That said I hate the SureLock integrated weight pouches, the are easy to get only partially locked in. I call them SureLoss.
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