Bare. No? Yes?

[a22shady]

Well whatever shop you purchase it from will go over it with you and how to adjust/Set it up. It is really not difficult. Believe me Give it a try before you buy. As many can attest to purchasing things twice only because they were not aware of other options. Again this is not for everyone but from reading what your saying and what you like this is the system for you. And there are lots of others brands out (DSS/Hollis/OMS/Diverite/HOG) all make great products and price varies from720-820 for Halcyon to around 300 for the HOG. Less expensive in this case doesnt mean less quality.

Typically how you see the Backplate/Wing in picture is how it is set up. With D-rings positioned on chest and Hips. And are set that way to clip lights off to chest area or Pony bottles to Hip or canister light or even a scooter to crotch strap when time comes. Or your PSI guages or whatever you wish. But doing so keeps your items from dangling and in close to your body.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

So I'm looking buy my first BCD. The rental ones I've used from my local shop have been all either Bare or Oceanic. Going with familiarity, I've been looking at the Bare Voodoo, but I noticed in my searching no one here really talks about/suggests any Bare products. There's also no Bare sub-forum. Is there a reason for that? I've never had any issues with them, but they've also been rentals so...

I like a more minimalist type of BCD, i.e. no big side pockets that go halfway up, etc. But I do like to have a pocket or 2 for whatever. D-rings seem to be pretty standard throughout. I've used both jacket and back inflate and much prefer the back inflate. I'm still a beginner, so I'm looking for something that I'll use for the next couple of years or so until I get into more advanced diving. So, preferably no BP/W right now. If it matters, I'm 6' 1" 200 lbs. Any other suggestions or anyone have any experience with this particular BCD? This is also way in the higher end of what I would like to spend btw, but I don't want to buy garbage.

Bare Voodoo BCD

I saw one of these in action up in Nootka Sound, and although I'm generally a big fan of Bare products, this one has a significant flaw ... the way the weight pockets are secured make them slide partway out while you're diving. They won't fall completely out, but the person diving the BCD did say that it was bothersome ... and that's a lot of money to pay for bothersome ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Karibelle]

I saw one of these in action up in Nootka Sound, and although I'm generally a big fan of Bare products, this one has a significant flaw ... the way the weight pockets are secured make them slide partway out while you're diving. They won't fall completely out, but the person diving the BCD did say that it was bothersome ... and that's a lot of money to pay for bothersome ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I currently dive a Curve, which is the women's version of the Blackwing. The weight pocket issue is (IMO, Bob, your friend's experience may indeed differ!) with the pockets themselves, NOT the attachment, and yes, they do fall all the way out. They don't (so far) come unhooked, but they do come out. This is a known issue from BARE's perspective, and I believe it's warrantied. I'm waiting for my replacement pockets as we speak.

In the meantime, I've "fixed" the issue on my own, and pocket issues aside, I like this BC a lot. I prefer the back-inflation, although my previous BC was an Aqualung Diva, which is a hybrid similar to the Voodoo.

As always, YMMV.

kari