AL Axiom and Pro QD BCs

[Tbar]

What interests me so far is being underwater... although I am pretty confident I'll never pursue cold water (dry suit), tech diving or cave diving.

If some people are able to enjoy the hobby of diving over many years and never have to upgrade/replace gear good for them, but my history with hobbies indicates that's unrealistic.

I like the jacket style, the axiom specifically has worked well, I definitely expect dive travel so keeping bulk/weight in mind was a good tip.

I also do not like the jacket style, and have found that the rear inflate (such as Scubapro Knighthawk) give the un-encumbered feeling as a BP/W. I also have a BP/W and find it less practical than the BC, but this may be due to it having a large wing - I am waiting on a 23# wing to have another try. The reason I say this is often you need to try different gear and find what 'clicks' but this can cost some time / money. Much 'advice' on this forum will be BP/W this tends to drown out or push away other comments.

Note that you can get a complete HOG BP/W for about $US444 at DiveRight in Scuba Hog BP/W Full Set - Single - Dive Right in Scuba. I am not saying to get this just using as a price comparison.

A check on eBay and the used QD Pro is going for under $US100.

 

[dmaziuk]

I suspect by the time I "out grow" my first gear it will have paid for itself in savings from rental fees.

Depends. A weekly package rate at Caribbean resorts is around $50 so a $400 BC will take 8 of those vacations to get even. If you're in FL and dive locally every weekend and pay daily rental rates you probably could get even in 40 dives or so.

---------- Post added December 22nd, 2015 at 06:58 PM ----------

What interests me so far is being underwater...
I like the jacket style, the axiom specifically has worked well, I definitely expect dive travel so keeping bulk/weight in mind was a good tip.

How comfortable are you in the water? I prefer to take stuff off and feel free. My better half, on the other hand, insists that she wants to feel hugged and supported in the BCD embrace. This board is heavily skewed toward the One True BP&W Path but if you don't feel comfortable skin diving, maybe you should ignore all that. If you're not sure, maybe delay the BC purchase until you are?

 

[Skeptic14]

Thanks for all the input.

I like the jacket style... I haven't felt restricted by it while diving, as far as I can tell from my novice experience level I have more than sufficient mobility.

If as my diving prowess increases that ever changes I can always switch to the greatly evangelized bp/w setup. I doubt buying a second BC will require me to eat cat food in retirement...

And, the axiom will pay for itself in under 15 dives... which would be a few months only of weekend diving for me.