scubajay
Contributor
Buying my first BC, which one should I go with. I will most likely get into double and rec diving later on in the future. I'm looking for a BC that is comfortable and easy to pack when traveling to the carribean. Please HELP!
balance, transpac II or OMS IQ
- Thread starter scubajay
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cornfed
Mindless lemming
Have you considered a back plate and wings?
cornfed:
I do not know if a black plate is right for me at this time. I believe it's too technical for me. I'm just finished my AOW. I have ways to go before I go the technical route. I just want a back inflate BC that is comfortable and these are the three BC's that I will will give me the best of both worlds, recreational and I'm also interested in non-penetration wreck diving.
nalfein
Contributor
My wife dives an original Transpac, as well as an OMS IQ harness.... she likes both, but finds the adjustable shoulder straps on the Transpac easier to tighten on her own... I wouldn't know, I use a BP/wing setup....
Aside from that one thing, she's expressed no preference of one over the other.
Aside from that one thing, she's expressed no preference of one over the other.
DutchDown
Contributor
Sounds like a real dilemma! I use a Balance and like it very much. It packs well for travel and doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles I don't need. I would guess that you'll be happy with whichever of the three you choose.
Phil
Phil
scubajay:
There is nothing "technical" about a backplate and wing. Quite the opposite actually
MD
I dive a Balance, and like it a lot. The only negative is the totally unusable pull-down pocket. It holds lots of stuff, but for the life of me, I can't zip it back up underwater.
Balance (I own one) is an excellent and simple BC that will serve you very well for simple diving and travel. If it has a shortcoming, it is that there are few D-rings--one on each shoulder and one only on the left hip. I love mine, but I also own other BCs and BP/w for more "involved" diving.
TransPac is a classic. All the pluses of the Balance, plus additional adjustability and plenty of attachment points--will come in handy if you plan to dive wrecks and want somewhere to clip off a reel, pony bottle, back-up lights, etc. If I could only own one BC, this would probably be it.
OMS probably makes some good stuff, but all I ever hear about them is complaints about defects and customer service problems. Somebody please post something good about this BC for "balanced opinions".
theskull
TransPac is a classic. All the pluses of the Balance, plus additional adjustability and plenty of attachment points--will come in handy if you plan to dive wrecks and want somewhere to clip off a reel, pony bottle, back-up lights, etc. If I could only own one BC, this would probably be it.
OMS probably makes some good stuff, but all I ever hear about them is complaints about defects and customer service problems. Somebody please post something good about this BC for "balanced opinions".
theskull
scubahorse
Guest
Balance! light weight, easy to travel, dry quickly. Looks simple but good enough for me!
wfmiller
Contributor
I just got my Transpac and wings. Went that direction because of all the options that it gave me and the freedom of movement. Only made a couple of dives but it was even better than what I thought it would be.....
