Any place for "BC 101"? and advise for my BC choice?

[Torontonian]

After a few years of summer vacation diving, I bought most of the gears, except for the BC and reg (and computer). While researching for BC choices, I'm overwhelmed. (I've learned quickly the HUB is not as good as it first sounds). I'd like to learn about others. Is there a place with BD 101, to describe the different set up, and also brands/models?

I'm 5'9", male, 180lbs, 34" waist. Uses 14lbs weight with 3mm full suit or 10lbs with lycra. Only dive recreational in warm waters. Being to 136' (for a few seconds) but expect to stay within 130', single tank. Really enjoyed the recent trip to Crystal River, then cruise trip to Belize, Cozumel (really enjoyed Columbia Deep and Palancar Gardens here), Costa Maya and Cayman. Would like to go to these type of places (thinking S. Caribbean cruise next year), and no won't like cold water diving.

Have seen a bunch of used BCs on ebay, but don't know enough about the brands/models. Have also seen scubal.com and ebay seller like
Tommysports1 with low price new BCs. Also like the description of the Eagle Z1 at $350. But would like to hear you advise on what I need to consider in choosing a BC.

Thanks a lot.

 

[DiveMaven]

Go to your local dive shop (or as many as you can) and try on everything they have in the store. I think it's a potential disaster to pick a BC that you've never tried on simply based on a cheap price. Once you've tried on different styles and brands, then you can make a choice based on fit and look for the best price possible.

 

[Mike126]

What Divemaven said...

I would rent both jacket and rear inflate and decide which style you like best. Then look at the type of diving - travel vs. local. If you travel alot then a BC that packs well may be you better choice. Then try on as many as you can. If possible rent the ones you like.

Personally, I moved from a jacket to rear inflate and I like the rear inflate a lot better. I don't feel nearly constricted as I do with a jacket style. I ultimately chose the Zeagle Brigade and love it. For the money it was the best BC for me.

my 2 cents....

 

[BIGG_BUDD]

Skip BC 101. Just buy Zeagle.

 

[Torontonian]

There seem to be a few Zeagle fans. It must have its good points.

I should explain that I live in Toronto. Lake Ontario gets to maybe 12 C in the summer and no warmer. I went to a local dive shop to chat. Even in mid-summer, when they go to Lake Ontario it gets cold after going down a few feet. People have to wear 6mm inside and 6-7mm outside, and 30+ lbs of weight. There's little marine life, nothing grows, well maybe some sponges, it's usually dark and muddy, and yes low viz. That type of diving doesn't appeal to me. It's during vacation to warm places that I'll dive, so that means I should get something that packs well.

I've used different kind of rentals, Sherwood Silhouette (several shops use them), Scubapro, and Mares, all jacket style. In the last few dives I should've paid more attention to the features of these rentals. It was after the trip that I calculated that I spent $110 on rentals (Cayman was the most expensive). After that I figured I should look at buying.

 

[JahJahwarrior]

Well, I'm about your size and I usually wear a medium. I wore a small Zeagle Escape once and it worked ok with some adjustments. I've also tried on a larger BC that felt ok with some adjustments, but I endedup not diving with it. I bought a used jacket style BC after slipping it on for a moment. I didn't really even need to, it was a medium and that should fit me decently well. However, it's a cheap thing that I will replace as soon as I get a chance to do enough diving to justify it. If you find something used on eBay that looks decently good and is something like a medium, I'd say go for it. Have in mind a few things you are looking for and keep an eye out. Patience is key to getting something good.

local dive shops should still sell BC's, those are not a water temperature specific item.

Most peoplw will tell you that BP/W (backplate with wing) is the way to go and I honestly have to agree. It works with rec diving and tec diving and has a higher resale value in most cases. I've never even worn a BP/W and I would reccomend them If you arne't diving tons though, see if you can find a used versin of whatever you've used in the past.

 

[halocline]

Yup, I'd say go right for the BP/W. But, otherwise, in general I'd look for something very minimal; less is more for BCs, especially when it comes to warm water. 30lbs lift is almost certainly more than enough and the less padding, straps, pockets, other assorted "features" the more comfortable you'll be diving. The zeagle escape might be a good choice. The great thing about the BP/W is that you'll go from 14lbs to probably around 6, or at the most 8...(with a SS plate, after a couple of dives to get used to the difference in trim) which means you can put a 3 or 4lb weight in each of two tiny pockets on the waist strap and you're good to go.

 

[Jarrett]

If you are going to be traveling a lot and want to pack small, I like the Dive Rite Transpac with a Travel wing. Here is a pic of mine next to my Zeagle Brigade for size comparison:

www.elliscountyequine.org/images/100_0472.jpg

Unless you go to a back plate / wing setup, its hard to get much smaller than that setup I think.

 

[TheRedHead]

BP/W is the way to go.

 

[djanni]

BP/W is the way to go.

Not the bp/w thing again.

Torontonian: Based on the profile you presented go for something that'll give you all the creature comforts right out of the box and none of hassels. Something like a Zeagle Stiletto, which is the complete package or for streamlined simplicity a ScubaPro Classic Sport is a good choice if you don't mind a weight belt.