BC Descisions

[kd5izq]

Ok, here goes. I'm thinking my Genesis Recon, is just a little to big and bulky a bladder, even though it is the 45lb one. I have dove the DUI Delta, and will be diving the Aqualung Malibu and the Oceanic Chute 3 this weekend, as well as one of the new style DUI Deltas. I LOVED THE DELTA, very easy to trim out, you could make that thing fit anybody from a kid to king kong. My dillema is this. It's my understanding that DUI has changed up the bladder on the Delta, and is now more of a horseshoe shape, instead of the shape that it used to be, also there are no pockets on the Delta, which I know is not a big deal, but I have been told that I may want to include this in my thought process due to going into the divemaster program this winter. The reason for this is all the extras you wind up carrying for students, you know like an extra dive light, extra defog, etc. This is why I really like the initial look and idea of the Chute 3, pockets galore, enough d-rings and seems to be well made. Now I know I'll hear the input about "skip the BCs and go to the BP/W" and while thats all fine and good, right now for me thats just not an option and for reasons I won't go into now. I would like to hear any input any of you may have on these 3 BCs. Experiences, + or - that you have experienced with them. I know the Chute 3 is new, and I've yet to see any posts concerning them, so maybe this will bring some of the new Chute 3 owners out of the shadows. Thanks for your help and input.

 

[ScoobyDave]

Sounds to me like the Delta is your current "most favored." I dove the Delta and enjoyed it - the new shape makes it trim even better. I chose a different BC for myself after swimming with about half a dozen different models. I found the tryouts to be the best indicator for what I wanted.

Oh, by the way...QRZ? Callsign WI9Q here. Been wondering how to combine the two activities together. Any ideas? Brings mobile to another level. Guess that's another thread, though.

 

[kd5izq]

Thanks for the input. I agree the trials are the best way, learned that the hard way already so I don't want to make that mistake again.

As far as HAM goes, maybe we just need to go to general discussions and open a "CQ CQ CQ" thread?

So your familiar with the design change in the DUI? You like the new style better? I take it you used to or still do own one? What would you think about using the weight & trim for weighting and the integrated weight pockets for BC Pockets?

 

[ScoobyDave]

I was at the mercy of the rental gear as to what I could do with the DUI. I was trying it in my decision process. FYI - I chose the Zeagle Ranger to get the weight, pockets, wing and fit features I was looking for. My second choice was the DUI, but for different reasons.

 

[kd5izq]

Well, long story short, in the used gear I bought I had a Ranger, but it was actually too small, traded for half the price of the Recon, and it just seems a little too cumbersome. Dove the DUI, loved it, the Chute III is very similar in it's bladder design as far as shape to the new DUI, but has pockets galore. I'll let you know how it goes after this weekend.

 

[kd5izq]

Well the Chute III was great! I really liked that BC. It is a little bulky as far as the packing and carrying, but I LOVE the pockets and it seems way rugged. The carrying handle is quite convenient. Once I moved the majority of the weight to the back of the BC and the tank down some it trimmed out well and let me float at the surface. It's very well made, but I should note that the power inflater is pretty quick so its pretty easy to over inflate. I believe this is the one I will be going with.

 

[ScottyK]

You should get a lot of good use out of your Chute III. The CIII is not new, it's just the next incarnation of the Chute II.

My Chute II is seven years old, and has hundreds of dives on it. The Kevlar weave is so rugged, I could still pass it off as brand new! There is not a faded spot or loose stitch anywhere on it.

I recently decided to go for a new BC this past winter. I shopped around and tried on a bunch of different models, and wound up getting the Chute III. The only reason I upgraded from the II was for the newer design weight pockets. I've been using the CIII this season (about 35 dives so far) and couldn't be happier with it. I hope you get as much good use out of it as I have.......Scott

P.S. Once you get used to the power inflator, you will find it capable of making very precise adjustments with a light touch.

 

[docmartin]

these days i am diving a bp/wing but i also own a chute with about 130 dives on it. looks like new and dives great. trim is as good as with the bp/wing. also does not trap air. the only thing i did not like that much is that it is quite bulky when travelling.

 

[herman]

de KA4HAM, there are several of us here.

73's

herman

 

[kd5izq]

I'm glad to hear it's not just my imagination with the power inflator. Since I'm still rather new at this, I was afraid that it might be just inexperience. Thanks also for the endurance information about the Chute it's always good to know when something has that great a track record. The new design is quite wonderful on the chute 3. I like how the clips are very easy to release when you pull the grips, this is unlip some of the other clip in types. Have you dove your chute with a dry suit? How did that work out with having to use the extra weight? Do you use a crotch strap? It doesn't ride up much, but a little and I'm wondering if that wouldn't help some, that was one thing I really liked about the DUI.

As far as the HAM's go, yeah there are a bunch of us on here, it's almost like its a sister sport.