Another Boring BC opinion thread

[peterjmaerz]

Yes, upgrading from a Seaquest Quickdraw and I shamelessly ask for personal opinions by users of the latest Oceanic Probe QLR BC that just took top honors (I know-some would say dubiously) in the Rodale's test. Love the features touted, like the material, fit, lift, extra dump valves, all those pockets and d-rings, etc.

What's the word?


Thanks much,

Best,

 

[ronrosa]

How ya doing Peter ?

I know you asked about the Oceanic Probe, but have you considered the Dive Rite Transpac ? I recently sold my Seaquest Balance and just got back from my 1st 4 dives with the Transpac. A definite improvement over the Balance. Best thing about the Transpac is you can totally customize it. Padding, pockets, d-rings, wing size, can all be added, deleted or moved.

BTW, Linda, Monty and I just booked on the Turks and Caicos Explorer liveaboard for October. Interested ?


Ron-Cozumel with Aldora

 

[peterjmaerz]

Hey, Ron!

Thanks for the input. Embarrassed to admit I hadn't even HEARD of the Dive Rite! I'll have to do some research on it. As it stands now, I'm planning on showing up at the NDL (National Dive Shop...as in Divers Direct) with full tank and wetsuit to try on the Oceanic tomorrow.
In the final planning stages for my PNG extravaganza in early May. As for October, interesting you should mention T + C. My LDS is organizing a liveaboard trip for that time. I, though, have been pretty set on Saba for the fall, though knowing I'd have you guys to dive with would be an incentive...hope you, your sister and Monty are well.
Meanwhile, I'm embroiled in the issues here on the board over difficulties with viewing photos and other graphics, though only on my home (XP home, IE6, DSL) Toshiba and not here on my T3 Dell Windows 98! Have you had any issues there?

ps...I'm planning on buying whatever I decide on from LeisurePro. I know there's been quite an imbroglio over the wisdom of using their service. I seem to recall your name showing up in one of the threads on LP. What's your view? Seems to me that, in the light of many endorsements from users and their willingness to match the warranty of any manufacturer, it's worth the minor risk to save 30% or more on merchandise.

Take care and thanks again for the input.


Best,

 

[ronrosa]

Hey, Ron!

Meanwhile, I'm embroiled in the issues here on the board over difficulties with viewing photos and other graphics, though only on my home (XP home, IE6, DSL) Toshiba and not here on my T3 Dell Windows 98! Have you had any issues there?

ps...I'm planning on buying whatever I decide on from LeisurePro. I know there's been quite an imbroglio over the wisdom of using their service. I seem to recall your name showing up in one of the threads on LP. What's your view?

I've been having a few problems with various websites. I've recently increased my security levels (virus, backdoors, cookies, etc.) on my home computer. Maybe you are running into the same thing.

I frequently shop at LeisurePro. Living in NYC makes the decision easy for me. I've never had a problem with anything I've bought there and if I did it's very easy for me to just go back to their store. That being said, they are not your typical "local dive shop". If you know what you want, great they will most likely have the best price. If you need guidance, forget it, go someplace else.

FYI, the Dive Rite Transpac is a back inflate BCD oppossed to a jacket style like your Seaquest and the Oceanic Probe.

 

[reubencahn]

FillExpress in Pompano is also DiveRite Express and will rent DiveRite equipment. There prices are probably as good if not better than LPs. (I've used LP and have been happy with them.) I'll also put in a plug for a bp/w and even offer to loan you mine for a day.

Reuben

 

[peterjmaerz]

Ron and Reuben,

I know I'm now sending this thread into new territory, but since I can't see the "post new thread" button, I'm appending this onto our ongoing discussion. Guys, pardon my extreme ignorance, but what are the pros and cons of back inflate as opposed to side (jacket)? From what I see on the dive rite site, I'd simply be piecing together all the elements that are already integrated as one in a jacket BC, with the exception of the back inflate vs. side. I did try the Oceanic today and other than some stiffness in the wide shoulder straps, I was impressed by the two easily accesible dump valves, the huge pockets, lots of heavy duty D rings, accessory pockets for lights and/or masks and the very stable and solid integrated weight system. I add so little air to my BC in normal circumstances other than on the surface, that I'm wondering if back vs. side inflate is even an issue?
Thanks as always for your input.

Best,

 

[peterjmaerz]

Arrgh...can't edit either... Reuben, did want to thank you for your generous offer to loan me your DiveRite! I'll let you know if I decide to take you up on it

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Ron and Reuben,

I know I'm now sending this thread into new territory, but since I can't see the "post new thread" button, I'm appending this onto our ongoing discussion. Guys, pardon my extreme ignorance, but what are the pros and cons of back inflate as opposed to side (jacket)?

The major advantage is stability underwater. A back-inflate BCD puts whatever air is in your bladder above you. Since air floats, you're basically suspended below it. If you dive in a horizontal position (which is the ideal way to do it) then it's easier to control your trim with the air positioned above you. In a jacket-style BCD, the air is distributed in a bladder that surrounds your torso. As you move through the water, whatever air is in the bladder will tend to "roll" around in the bladder seeking the highest point. It's inherently less stable. While it's not an issue for some people, it does require some additional effort to maintain good trim.

From what I see on the dive rite site, I'd simply be piecing together all the elements that are already integrated as one in a jacket BC, with the exception of the back inflate vs. side. I did try the Oceanic today and other than some stiffness in the wide shoulder straps, I was impressed by the two easily accesible dump valves, the huge pockets, lots of heavy duty D rings, accessory pockets for lights and/or masks and the very stable and solid integrated weight system.

Well, I've developed the philosophy that "less is better" when it comes to what I wear around my torso while diving. Wide, stiff straps, cummerbunds, and pockets can be useful, but they also tend to restrict your range of motion. Something like the DiveRite system uses a simple waistband made of webbing (like a traditional harness) that gives you more freedom to do simple things like bending over to put on your fins. Flexible shoulder straps make it easier to reach up to clip something onto a shoulder D-ring. On the DiveRite system you can move D-rings around (or add more) to suit your needs. On a traditional BCD not all the D-rings may be where you need them ... or where you can reach them, especially with stiff shoulder straps that may restrict your range of arm motion. Make sure you can actually use the pockets underwater ... when you try on the rig, do so with a mask on your face and gloves (if you wear them) to make sure you can get into the pockets to remove and replace whatever you're planning to put in there. Otherwise, they're of no value to you. Same goes for the emergency dumps ... make sure you can reach them if you need to use them. Try it with your full kit on before you buy.

I add so little air to my BC in normal circumstances other than on the surface, that I'm wondering if back vs. side inflate is even an issue?

In that case one thing you want to check for sure is how much buoyancy any BCD you purchase will give you. I'm not talking about bladder lift ... I'm talking about how buoyant the BCD will be without any air in it. If you don't normally use much air in your BCD, then one with a lot of padding will almost certainly require you to add more weight to your kit just to be able to descend and dive. Generally, the more padding a BCD comes with, the more inherently buoyant it will be. Whatever you purchase, make sure to compare this buoyancy spec before making your decision.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[ronrosa]

I know I'm now sending this thread into new territory, but since I can't see the "post new thread" button, I'm appending this onto our ongoing discussion. Guys, pardon my extreme ignorance, but what are the pros and cons of back inflate as opposed to side (jacket)?

I agree with Gratefuldiver on the pros of back inflate. I'll also add that it's nice having your chest and stomach area clear. More freedom of movement and more streamlined. Kind of like how it feels to wear and dive a 5mm vs. a skin.

From what I see on the dive rite site, I'd simply be piecing together all the elements that are already integrated as one in a jacket BC, with the exception of the back inflate vs. side.

True, and probably the biggest plus or minus of the Transpac. If you like to tinker with your gear, you will like the Transpac. If you don't want to be bothered then you will not like the Transpac unless you get someone to help set it up for you.

I did try the Oceanic today and other than some stiffness in the wide shoulder straps, I was impressed by the two easily accesible dump valves, the huge pockets, lots of heavy duty D rings, accessory pockets for lights and/or masks and the very stable and solid integrated weight system.

Don't worry about stiff shoulder straps. They will soften when wet. Pockets and D rings are nice. IMHO it is possible to have too many pockets and D rings. Like I said above, I like freedom of movement, and freedom from clutter. I like the ability to choose the size, position and quantity of pockets and D rings.

The more weight you carry, the more important the weight system. How much weight do you carry ? The most weight I wear is 10 pounds. The little Transpac Clipper pockets work great for me. If I had to carry more weight my opinion on the Transpac might be different. The large Transpac weight pockets look cumbersome to me.

The back and waist pads can easily be removed/added from the Transpac. Padding adds buoyancy, which translates to carrying more weight. I removed the back and waist padding. It is still comfortable and I carry 6 pounds compared to 10 with my Seaquest Balance wearing a 5/3 suit.

I add so little air to my BC in normal circumstances other than on the surface, that I'm wondering if back vs. side inflate is even an issue?
Thanks as always for your input.
Best,

Good point. Sounds like you have your weighting requirements perfect. If I were you, I wouldn't buy a back inflate BCD without diving it. On top of that, not all back inflate BCD's are the same. My Seaquest Balance tended to push me forward. Not a forceful push, but enough to notice when I wanted to be vertical for a video shot. My Transpac lets me be in any position I want.

I'm a gearhead. I like to tinker with my gear. I like that my Transpac is totally customized to my needs. When I talk gear to Monty he could care less. Shutup Ron, lets go dive.

I don't want to stear you in the wrong direction. Back inflate BCD's are not for everyone and the customization benefits of the Transpac are only realized if you like/are willing to take the time.

 

[peterjmaerz]

Thanks, Ron, and GratefulDiver,

Great, cogent, articulate thoughts. Food for more contemplation on my part, for sure. Have now read the PDF of the Dive Rite Transpac manual cover to cover. Since the Dive Rite distributor is about 25 minutes away from my home, I'm going to shoot up there for a look see (with tank, weights, reg and mask, which I did bring with me for the Oceanic try-out, BTW) next Saturday.
GratefulDiver, appreciate the back inflate primer!
Ron, I do use just a bit more weight than you (try as I have to lessen it over the years), with 14 pounds to compensate for my *my* 5 mil and boyant camera (does that qualify for an excuse?), so I'd probably need the large clip-on weight pockets. I keep my sausage, a signal strobe, spare dive lights (C4 and 2AA) and EMT shears in my utility pockets; main light and camera housing clipped to BC and like to have them all handy. I could see, though, utilizing some of the D-rings to eliminate the need for some pockets. I'm not really a tinkerer--much more of the Monty school--but if the Dive Rite feels good, I figure I'd only really have to "set it up" once.
Both you guys, while I've never really experienced any "rolling" from side inflation (except for the time I lost a wieght pocket in Fiji!!) I do like the idea of being less encumbered by my BC and the idea of less-is-more in general.
I'll keep you posted. Thanks again for the invaluable input!

Best,