Back Inflation or a Standard Jacket. Please Help!!!

[Kstnbike]

I know this has been posted before, but I really didn't find the answer I was looking for.

I am trying to decide between the Seaquest Black Diamond or the Seaquest Pro QD. This will be my first BC purchase and I only have experience with jacket bc's. I do have the opportunity to test out the black diamond in the pool before I buy it though.

What are the major differences between a back inflation and a jacket style. I mostly dive cold water so I will have a dry suit or a 7mm on. From what I've been told it's all a matter of feel and a little bit of the way you are trimmed/tilted in the water but, are there any other things I should consider?

Thanks,
Kstnbike

 

[paolov]

Back Inflation !!!!

frees your front area and less drag


.

 

[Tanked Monkey]

I'm sure many would argue for a BP/W rig (myself included), but between jacket vs. back-inflate, I would pick back-inflate hands down.

When you're diving, the optimum position is horizontal. A back-inflate will put the bouyancy where it belongs (right above your center mass). A jacket will put some bouyancy at your center mass, but then put alot around your gut too.

Although I dive a BP/W exclusively, the Seaquest Balance is a good option for a BC. My wife dives the Libra, which is basically the women's version of the Balance. I believe the Balance, and it's sister the Libra, is a top-notch BC.

Mike

 

[wunat]

I'm sure many would argue for a BP/W rig (myself included), but between jacket vs. back-inflate, I would pick back-inflate hands down.

Same here. I dive and prefer BP/W (will leave the convincing part to others) so back-inflation would be my choice.

I do use my ProQD+ jacket BC when do confine water assistance and will be using it for my teaching upon completing my instructor certification. But this is only for demonstration purpose. I would go out and dive with my BP/W (a type of back-inflation in this case) whenever possible. Don't get me wrong, ProQD+ is a great BC jacket, can't imagine how much more comfortable a BC jacket could be.

 

[Kim]

Ok. I might get shouted at for this but here goes!

First - I also agree that back inflate is the way to go. I dive a Transpac and I love it. The reasons given above concerning horizontal stability are entirely accurate IMO. What you DO hear mentioned though is what happens at the surface. Some people say that a back inflate will tip you forward. Now I normally dive a steel tank and I never noticed this problem. A steel tank will remain negatively buoyant and because it is behind the air bladder it helps to pull you backward to a more vertical position. Recently I had cause to dive AL80s wearing a 3mm wetsuit. Now an aluminium tank actually becomes positively buoyant when it's nearly empty. Given that a 3mm wetsuit is also very little in terms of buoyancy the net result was that I became rather aware that I had more buoyancy behind me which DID give me the feeling that I was being tipped forward after surfacing and waiting for the boat. It was manageable, but slightly uncomfortable.
I 'think' that what I am describing was only an issue due to the thin wetsuit and aluminium tank. In your case with either a drysuit (which you can add inflation to) or a much thicker wetsuit it would probably be much less of an issue. This is only a surface issue though - UW you don't notice it and only have the benefits already noted above.

 

[RICHinNC]

My first (and I still have it) BCD was a SQ Pro QD. The down sides to it was.... a cumberbund that I could never get tight enough...and....it kept riding up on me while I was diving. I spent a lot of time pulling it down. Also, it was a bear to travel with because of its size and rigidness.

I went to a BP and Wing and wish I had started there. It travels like a dream (take on board) and the control is great. The only down side is the wing does not have a right shoulder dump and while some dont like them, I do.

 

[Dive-aholic]

 

[instructorgadget]

Back inflate is my choice. Please look at the SQ Balance B4 buying the Black Diamond.

I find it interesting how many people on this board recommend bp/w.

 

[scuba_aqua_girl]

I have been diving a jacket BC since I have been certified a little over 2 years now. I have a Sherwood Luna. I really loved it at first. I still like it but this past weekend I got the chance to try 2 back inflation BCs. The 1st one I tried was a Dive Rite Transpac and I loved it right away as soon as I put it on the surface. It felt like it was barely there once I had it on. The I dove with it and it was great! I have never felt to good underwater! The the 2nd one I tried was a Scubapro Ladyhawk. I didnt like the feel as much on land as the Dive Rite. Then I dove with it and felt more like my jacket style than the Dive Rite. I felt more constricted in the Ladyhawk. So now I am saving up so I can get a Dive Rite Transpac. I loved it! I also dive in cold water so 7mm and drysuit are needed.

 

[DiveMaven]

Try both in a pool before you decide. I started with a jacket, hated it only after a few dives and went to a back inflate (Zeagle Zena) and knew I was "home". On the other hand, my husband has the Pro QD+ and loves it. He finds it to be extremely stable and comfortable and wouldn't think of getting anything else.

Take both BCs into the pool and play with both of them. Fully inflate them at the surface and see what happens, then partially inflate them at the surface so you float comfortably and see how you feel. Then swim with both underwater and play with your trim and balance. It should become obvious which one you prefer...and if you like both, buy the cheaper one!

Oh yeah, and RichinNC is right, the Pro QD+ isn't very compact for travel, so if you're going to travel a lot, take that into consideration. My husband and I do not dive locally, so we just "suck it up" that his BC takes up so much space.