Battle of the Back Inflation BCD's

[tjsmith1979]

Hi, I was wondering since I am not getting any information on the OMS BP/W, I thought I would start finding out some information on all the back inflation BCD's and hoping people would be able to help me make a decision.

Does anyone have any of the following BCD's -

Zeagle Tech BCD
OMS IQ Tech Pack with OMS Bladders (Hopefully with Retraction Bands)
Dive Rite Transpac Harness and Bladder (If so, which bladder are you using)
DUI Delta BCD
Sherwood Outback

I am looking for a back inflation BCD that you can ideally use with singles intially, however can easily handle doubles and doubles with deco if need be.

Could you please let me know if you have any back inflation BCD's... what model it is ? How many dives estimated have you done in it ? Describe the weight intergration system for that model and any issues or problems you have had with it ??

I am looking for all the information you possibly can give, so let me know !!

 

[jonnythan]

Get a backplate with a standard webbing harness and proper single tank wing. Tons of companies make backplates, and plenty make good single tank wings.

For the gear check out:
www.oxycheq.com
www.halcyon.net
www.diveriteexpress.com
www.deepseasupply.com

Get a single tank wing.

 

[darkstar]

Does anyone have any of the following BCD's -

Zeagle Tech BCD
OMS IQ Tech Pack with OMS Bladders (Hopefully with Retraction Bands)
Dive Rite Transpac Harness and Bladder (If so, which bladder are you using)
DUI Delta BCD
Sherwood Outback

My first BC was a Sherwood Outback. I used it twice and sold it because I thought it was junk. The guy I sold it to complained to me that he also though it was junk and so for a moment I felt bad again. :frown: The lesson here is that Sherwood Outback = bad karma.

I have a Zeagle Tech that I've used a couple of times with doubles and stages. It's OK, but I think a BP/wing setup is better for that purpose. I had trouble getting the rig balanced at first when diving with steel 120's. The Tech is great for single tank diving though, especially if you carry bottles, lights and cameras.

I have a Ranger as well, which is a little better all-round BC and has a slightly smaller bladder. A little searching on this site will give you enough opinions on the Ranger. I personally prefer the Ranger to a PB/wing setup for single tank diving.

My newest addition is an OMS BP and harness with an Oxycheq bladder. No hesitation in recommending them either. I do miss the Zeagle weight integration though.

 

[Goose75]

I have a DUI Delta. Only a few dives with it. The Weight and Trim II (WTII) harness is great but it was incorporated in the Delta so it is not seperate like previous BCs. No trim pockets in the back, I'm looking into making one. The little rings on stretch cord on the front are great for gauges and other things you grab but don't want loose. Was able to stuff up to 40# in the weight harness. There is a web spliting it in two now (WT1 did not have this). Great for small weight combinations but not so great a thing for large lead shot. I was able to make it fit 10lbs bags regardless. A double tank setup is available but I don't know much about it. The BC comes in 35# and 58# lift bladder. Bladder is accessible, they have a zipper at the top to get to it. 4 D-rings in addition to the two small O-rings on stretch cord. I love the O rings on stretch cord. It does use bungees. I don't even notice them, but I read a few complaints about bungees. Mixed reviews. I read a bad review on the BC that is in one of my old posts, but I have no complaints so far other than those I've mentioned here. I diving with it again tomorrow. If I change my mind about it after getting more dives, I'll update my post.

 

[tjsmith1979]

I do miss the Zeagle weight integration though.

Could you please let me know what the Zeagle Ripcord weight intergration is ? Is this simply a pull cord attached to a weight pocket holding in by velcro like the old Seaquest quick draw model ? Have you ever had any problems with the Zeagle Weight Intergration ?

I am defeintely looking at the Tech Model but have also found the 911 model that is a little nicer also but basically has the same things. Does anyone know anything about the Zeagle 911 Model ??

 

[TostitoBandito]

Could you please let me know what the Zeagle Ripcord weight intergration is ? Is this simply a pull cord attached to a weight pocket holding in by velcro like the old Seaquest quick draw model ? Have you ever had any problems with the Zeagle Weight Intergration ?

I am defeintely looking at the Tech Model but have also found the 911 model that is a little nicer also but basically has the same things. Does anyone know anything about the Zeagle 911 Model ??

I have a Zeagle Ranger LTD and wouldn't trade it for anything. The ripcord system is the best weight system I've seen. It is basically a handle with a flexible plastic line atached to it. You thread this through nylon loops on the bottom of the BC weight pockets, and along the entire bottom of the BC (so this line is essentially holding the weights in the pockets). When you pull the handle (which is held in place by velcro to prevent accidental release), the plastic line is pulled out and the weight pouches fall out of the now open-bottom pockets. The only complaint I've heard is about it taking a long time to re-arm but honestly, how often are you going to need to re-arm your weights? If you have to ditch weights you have bigger things to worry about than re-arming and jumping back in the water. It also only takes a few minutes if you know how to do it.

 

[Whitelightnin]

I think you are going to be needing something that you can put different wings on. A transpak will work as will a back plate. You won't find a wing that is suitable for diving a single that is still right for doubles with deco. Or rather, I should say that any wing big enough for doubles and deco will be totally unsuitable for a single.

Sherwood makes a plate kit for the outback which allows you to mount doubles on it. It works but is not ideal.

The transpak allows you to change wings at will.

Honestly though, when you get to the point of diving doubles & deco, you will have enough equipment to start your own scuba shop (well, almost) so you will have a setup for singles & a seperate one for doubles (and probally another one for deco stuff) so you won't be switching back and forth. You should really see the amount of money most people have tied up in gear by the time they start doing deco stuff. It WILL shock you. Right now, you should find a rig you are comfortable in that will handle singles.

James

 

[TostitoBandito]

I think you are going to be needing something that you can put different wings on. A transpak will work as will a back plate. You won't find a wing that is suitable for diving a single that is still right for doubles with deco. Or rather, I should say that any wing big enough for doubles and deco will be totally unsuitable for a single.

Sherwood makes a plate kit for the outback which allows you to mount doubles on it. It works but is not ideal.

The transpak allows you to change wings at will.

Honestly though, when you get to the point of diving doubles & deco, you will have enough equipment to start your own scuba shop (well, almost) so you will have a setup for singles & a seperate one for doubles (and probally another one for deco stuff) so you won't be switching back and forth. You should really see the amount of money most people have tied up in gear by the time they start doing deco stuff. It WILL shock you. Right now, you should find a rig you are comfortable in that will handle singles.

James

Yeah I agree with this. You really aren't going to find a BC that is good for doubles and singles. You should get a BC, BP/W, or whatever for singles now and then get a new rig for your doubles and tech diving when you get to that point.


-Eric

 

[SangP]

Hi tjsmith1979,

I just PM you with some info.

Cheers.
SangP

 

[Jason B]

If you really are wanting to go tech, save yourself some cash and go ahead and get a BP/W setup and be done with it.

Jason