BC advice: intermediate diver looking for versatility

[simbrooks]

I guess i just have some hostile LDS's around here!!

I just dove a Ranger from an LDS owner, another guy who works in another store has a Chute3 and i will be renting a BP/Wings from Ginnie Springs store when we got there. So will continue to try, but the LDS's arent all that helpful sometimes. I guess about the FredT bp, you buy a wing elsewhere, he just makes that bp and doesnt supply the rest?

 

[Arnaud]

...I guess about the FredT bp, you buy a wing elsewhere, he just makes that bp and doesnt supply the rest?

FredT supplies everything (b/p, harness, hardware) but the wing.

 

[reubencahn]

Arnaud, not meaning to hijack this thread, i have similar questions, although i have found a range that i would like to try out. I was told by almost every dive store i have tried that i cant take any shop equipment out before i buy, but i can borrow from someone they know or their gear if they have what i am looking for. Do you mean the former or the latter? If the former, that is not the case in central Fl, if you mean the latter, then i understand you! Some however around here do have return policies, which i think you can push a little. - most say freshwater only, not many say salt.

As for FredT's stuff, surely that too is a no try before you buy if you are doing it by email?

I don't know Orlando, but if you travel to S. Florida to dive, most of the shops have rental gear. Brownies Ft. Lauderdale will rent Halcyon BP/Wings. FillExpress in Pompano will rent any DiveRite equipment. It's only a three hour drive, so you could do a one day trip, get some good ocean diving and try some gear.

I also recommend FredT's bps and having recently switched to a bp from a jacket recommend bp/wings over the jacket.

 

[simbrooks]

Rueben,

might have to consider that! I have only been to Jupiter (& Venice) for salt diving so far, if i go further south i may just look into that.

As for jackets, the sooner i can get out of one the better! I like the back inflates and assuming i can find a BP/Wings combo that i can get to fit and feels comfortable i will purchase it - i havent tried one on yet and from what i have heard if you do it yourself in fitting there is a good chance that you wont get your full monies-worth. I am looking into dive-rite and zeagle bp/wings set ups in Orlando, that is pretty much all that is done that i have found locally - i know i can probably find others IF i drive some.

 

[reubencahn]

Rueben,

might have to consider that! I have only been to Jupiter (& Venice) for salt diving so far, if i go further south i may just look into that.

As for jackets, the sooner i can get out of one the better! I like the back inflates and assuming i can find a BP/Wings combo that i can get to fit and feels comfortable i will purchase it - i havent tried one on yet and from what i have heard if you do it yourself in fitting there is a good chance that you wont get your full monies-worth. I am looking into dive-rite and zeagle bp/wings set ups in Orlando, that is pretty much all that is done that i have found locally - i know i can probably find others IF i drive some.

It also occurred to me that Extreme Exposure is in High Springs. I think that's somewhere near Gainesville. (Don't hold me to that.) I figure they would probably rent bps. As far as fitting a bp goes, I know that if you even rent one from Brownies, they will take a half hour to adjust it to you. I'm certain they'd do the same with a new one. I've never rented anything from FillExpress, but the guys there are very nice and would probably take whatever time you needed to get you set up properly.

 

[5615mike]

A couple of example. At one LDS, the owner gave me his own TPII to try for free for a WE. It was not a store rental, but it more than did the trick. Another LDS had a rental Halcyon B/P. That's where I bought mine and they deducted the rental cost from the price. I think you'll have to combine connections, rentals & return policies to give everything you want a try. But if the LDS doesn't do anything to help you try whatever you want to try (as in "shoot first, ask questions later"), I'll go somewhere else.

As far as FredT goes, a b/p is a b/p. You can try any brand that you have access to. When buying, you can go to FredT because his plates have a very good finish and his prices are reasonable.

Arnaud

How in the world is $189 for a 6 lbs backplate reasonable? Wanted to buy from him but his prices are rediculous. Like you said, a bp is a bp.........If I'm interested in being separated from a large chunck of change then I'll do it with Halcyon.......Their stuff is the most rediculous.

 

[simbrooks]

So what kind of price can you get an SS BP for (without going to LP), i am shopping tonight at a dive-rite place and was wondering what the going rate was?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Which style (jacket, back inflate, BP/wing) works best for you will really boil down to personal preference.

Your emphasis should be on proper fit and comfort, as well as features and price.

Here's an excerpt of something I posted elsewhere not too long ago ... I think it's applicable during your search ...

- Don't buy anything without trying it on first. If possible, try it on wearing the exposure suit you'll be diving in. If you're planning to use it for both warm and cold water diving, try it on in both types of exposure suits and make sure there's adequate adjustment to make it fit properly in both.

- I would also recommend that you mount a cylinder on the BCD and put it on ... this is, after all, how you're going to be using it. Wearing it with a cylinder mounted will give you a better idea of how it actually fits.

- Check for both fit and comfort. Shoulder and waist straps should fit snugly, with the possibilility for adjustment both tighter and looser to accommodate any differences in exposure suits should you take the BCD to a warmer or colder climate. The rig should feel comfortable when the straps are snugged against your body. Keep in mind that this is going to work different for a harness system than for a traditional BCD ... and you should understand before purchasing how to make a harness system fit you properly.

- Pay particular attention to how the rig holds the cylinder in place. Does it come with one strap or two? What kind of buckle does it use ... and are the buckles plastic or metal? What you want to ascertain here is that you will be able to put the tank on easily and adjust the straps to hold it tightly. Typically a two-strap system works better than a one-strap system. Also make sure you understand how easily (or not) the straps adjust to accommodate different size cylinders ... some buckle systems are easier in this regard than others. Mount a cylinder on the rig yourself, then lift the rig and give it a good shake to see how well it holds the cylinder in place.

- While you are wearing the rig, have your buddy grasp the cylinder at the valve and boot and "waggle" it back and forth. The cylinder should be held firmly, with little or no movement between BCD and cylinder (ideally, none). If there's wiggle room, consider that the cylinder will move about on your back as you change positions in the water column ... this is bad. Some BCD systems have adjustments to counter any potential tank movement. If that's the case, make sure the salesman shows you how to use these adjustments properly.

- Consider the tradeoffs ... and every rig has them regardless of whether it's a backplate system or a traditional BCD. Tradeoffs include padding ... it's comfortable, but it also adds bulk and flotation. The more padding, the more weight you're going to need ... and the less streamlined you'll be when moving through the water. Does the rig use a waist strap or cummerbund? Cummerbunds provide a nice, snug fit around your waist ... but the tradeoff is that they also restrict your ability to bend over. Depending on your build, this may impact your ability to put your fins on comfortably, or reach that dive knife you've got strapped to your calf. Also keep in mind that cummerbunds are held in place using velcro ... and velcro wears out over time.

- If the BCD is weight integrated, consider whether or not the weight pockets are moveable or stationary. Most are stationary ... which means that you'll have to add weights elsewhere on your body to achieve proper trim. Some are moveable, in which case you can align them to trim you properly depending on your body type, the cylinder you'll be using, and other factors that influence your trim. A number of BCD systems also come with "trim" pockets located around where the cylinder mounts. These can also be quite useful on weight-integrated systems. Also consider how the weight pockets are designed to release. I'd recommend avoiding systems that use a simple velcro flap between weight pocket and BCD, as the velcro wears out these tend to turn into fallaway pockets rather than breakaway pockets ... and losing weights at depth is moderately dangerous (I've personally seen someone cork from 70 feet due to losing a weight pocket).

- Wearing the rig (BCD with cylinder attached), move around a bit and try using the rig in ways you'll be using it underwater. See how easy it is to do a figure-four and reach down as though you're putting on your fins. Better yet, actually put your fins on and see how easy (or not) it is wearing the rig. Try out the "features and accessories". Does the BCD have side pockets? Can you open them without your buddy's assistance? If not then they're of no use to you. Can you reach the D-rings to clip off things like dive lights and other accessories you may want to carry underwater? If you're going to be diving cold water, put some gloves on and see how easy it is to use the inflator hose ... some just aren't built to accommodate gloved hands very well. Is there a logical place to clip off your octopus? And how? Grab a regulator and try it out for yourself before you buy ... you may discover that the hardware on the BCD isn't laid out to accommodate how you want to configure your regulator.

- If the opportunity exists to try it in a pool, take the opportunity. Everything changes when you go from walking/standing on land to getting horizontal in the water. You need to understand what those changes are, and decide whether or how they'll impact your ability to dive this rig properly.

Just some ideas to help you narrow the field and make sure you get a BCD you'll be happy with ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[clem]

I've been diving for many years, but only in the past few have I moved from being a "tourist" diver (1 or 2 dives a year while on vacation) to a slightly more serious diver (a dozen or so a year, also while on vacation, plus advanced and rescue certifications). I certainly wouldn't consider myself a beginner compared to resort divers, but I'll also admit that I lack experience. I'm hoping that will change soon, as this weekend I'm doing my dry suit course open water dives, and later this winter I'm going on an ice diving trip. In general, I hope to start diving much more frequently by diving locally.

As such, I'm considering picking up my own gear, and I'm completely stumped at what I should get. I want something that I can use locally in New Jersey, and also take with me on my annual Hawaiian vacation. I want something that will be good in tropical water and under ice, and that I will continue to be happy with as my skills improve. I plan on one day learning tec diving, and, while I don't need a tec setup now, I want one that will last me up until I switch.

So, the question is: jacket style, back inflate, or backplate and wings? What brand? How much lift? Integrated weights or not?

Some of the ones that have caught my eye are the Seaquest Balance and Black Diamond, and a bunch of the Zeagles (Concept II Pro, Escape, Ranger, etc), but I'm certainly not set on those and am eager to hear other suggestions (even if it makes the decision harder by giving me more choices ;-) ). I'm worried about getting one too "light duty" for cold water dry suit diving, as well as getting one too "heavy duty" for tropical and for my skill level. I don't want to be that jerk beginner diving with a ridiculous tec rig.

I know these are big questions and very broad, but I any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Get the Zeagle Ranger or Ranger limited. They are on my wish list. Proven design with the flexibility you need and fantastic support from zeagle factory. I have a six year old Zip Pac that still looks like new.

 

[reubencahn]

Arnaud

How in the world is $189 for a 6 lbs backplate reasonable? Wanted to buy from him but his prices are rediculous. Like you said, a bp is a bp.........If I'm interested in being separated from a large chunck of change then I'll do it with Halcyon.......Their stuff is the most rediculous.

I just looked at his price list. The normal six pound finished backplate is $89 not $189.