BC advice: intermediate diver looking for versatility

[cortez]

There seem to be a lot of good information about different BC's on this thread so, I'll through in my $.02 in a slightly different direction.

Before you buy, talk to the staff at your LDS. Explain you questions and see if you can't exeperiment with rental and their gear. I work at a shop in STL and we handle questions like this everyday. There are certainly pros and cons to each style of BC config all of which a have been explained pretty well here. But you will never know what is best for you until you try. We let people use our gear all the time in the pool, just to try out different styles. Its a great sales technique and it allows the customer to get what they want the first time. You'll probably find that your LDS will be willing to help in a very similar fashion.

 

[Arnaud]

I still have to get in the water and try a BP/Wings set-up before i set myself on that front. I understand the risks involved, but whether its FredT or another guy thru an online service, its hard to try it out/try it on if you cant see it in front of you.

I had to sit out for about 20mins last night with an LDS owner looking thru catalogues to see what components i would need for a BP/Wings system - he doesnt sell a lot of them - like most places that deal for the recreational FL diver/visitor.

Sounds like you have a good price ($89 for 6# BP) and business (1 return) on that Fred! Maybe one day i will also ask you about it.

There is no point in going to an LDS who can't give you any sort of expert advice and doesn't carry what you're looking for.

There are only a few parts in a B/P&W. The plate, the harness, the wing and the hardware. Whether you go for OMS, Dive-Rite, Halcyon, Oxycheq or FedT, they will all sell you the required hardware.

Florida is the mecca of tek diving. I'm sure you can find a good LDS if you're willing to drive around.

 

[JMG]

I'm happy to report that I spoke to my LDS, and they said that they're happy to let me try anything they've got in the pool, and I can borrow any of their gear if I want to demo it in open water. So, I'm going to head over there tomorrow and give some back inflate BCs and BP/wing systems a try. I'll report back on my experiences.

 

[cortez]

Glad to hear that.

 

[simbrooks]

I know there are a lot of places around that could help me out, but i am trying to stick close to Orlando so that i can use the LDS's for their other services as well - keep up the good relationship and continue my education with them. IF i went a little north of here i would be in cave country and able to find more LDS's that deal in that stuff. IF they can all get the same stuff and this one can cut me a deal for bringing in the business to their door, then i will take it. I understand the basics of the how the system goes together, the only thing that i wasnt sure about were some of the potential extras (see another post on Dive-Rite BP's STA or not? - that was pretty much all we couldnt work out as there was one listed in the brochure, i had heard about them being used with BP/Wings and there were slots in the the BP for tank straps. Like i said 20 mins to go thru the catalogue talking over what i might like. I just said that the guy doesnt sell many, that doesnt mean he doesnt know anything about them - that is more my side of the bargain!!

There is no point in going to an LDS who can't give you any sort of expert advice and doesn't carry what you're looking for.

There are only a few parts in a B/P&W. The plate, the harness, the wing and the hardware. Whether you go for OMS, Dive-Rite, Halcyon, Oxycheq or FedT, they will all sell you the required hardware.

Florida is the mecca of tek diving. I'm sure you can find a good LDS if you're willing to drive around.

 

[JMG]

I know this is a quote from way back in the thread, Arnaud, but I've been doing a lot of reading in the past few days, and I'm getting very intrigued by the possibility of a BP/W setup.

I ended up buying a Halcyon b/p with a 36# Pioneer wing (the 27# was slightly negative with a full Faber 95 at the time). All things considered, I would now pick a FredT b/p with a 30# Eclipse.

I was wondering what the advantages are of the 30# Eclipse over the 36# Pioneer (other than the 6# difference, which I suppose could be either a benefit or a liability, depending on your situation). As I understand it, the Pioneer is single tank ready, whereas the Eclipse needs an STA. So what are the benefits of the Eclipse over other wings?

 

[simbrooks]

When you start reading all those BP/Wings threads its incredible how much it intrigues you and entices you away from the regular BC crowd. Until i dive one, my shopping is only window, but i am very interested!

 

[RiverRat]

When you start reading all those BP/Wings threads its incredible how much it intrigues you and entices you away from the regular BC crowd. Until i dive one, my shopping is only window, but i am very interested!

It's addicting! I took a chance and bought my BP/W setup without trying anything. Don't recommend it for everyone but it worked for me as I did MAJOR homework first. SeaJay on the board was also very helpfull as he did major Jacket versus BP/W testing. PM him for info. Check out the Oxycheq 45# wing, or the new Signature series. Great reviews on the board.
This may help, photos of me on first ever dives in new FredT 9# plate and Oxy wing. You can see my trim is dead nuts. My SAC rate went through the roof!

http://www.northeastcomputer.net/familypics/scuba/photos.html

 

[Arnaud]

I was wondering what the advantages are of the 30# Eclipse over the 36# Pioneer (other than the 6# difference, which I suppose could be either a benefit or a liability, depending on your situation). As I understand it, the Pioneer is single tank ready, whereas the Eclipse needs an STA. So what are the benefits of the Eclipse over other wings?

Please note I dive mostly cold water. If that's not your case (and even if it is :biggrin, take everything I say with a grain of salt.

36# is more lift than I need, but as stated before, my rig was slightly negative on the surface with a full tank and a Pioneer 27. In my case, the 30# would do just fine...

The Eclipse uses better materials and has a dual bladder, like the double wing. It's a lot harder to puncture it. The fact that it needs an STA is not a bad thing for me. I actually use an STA with my Pioneer. It helps my trim (and my lower back) a lot. The only other wing I would consider at this point is the Oxycheq, but it doesn't have the dual bladder. Also, both are donut-shaped, don't use bungy, and are nicely profiled in the water around the tank.

Does this help?

 

[Allen42]

Based upon the flexibility you desire, which is exactly what I wanted when I bought mine, I'd say get a Ranger.

The high points:
Can support singles or doubles "out of the box".
Extremely good fit due to the separate sizing for upper and lower parts of the BC.
Extremely durable, and backed by lifetime warranty.

The only negative that I can think of is that it's a fairly bulky BC, which makes packing a bit more of an issue, and is heavier out of the water.

Just my opinion, and what I use.

-Allen