BC types / brands...confused...need advice

[beir]

Hello all-

I’m new to diving. I’ve only been doing it for about 6 months now. I have my AOW cert now and I’m ready to start buy my own equipment. I’m trying to decide what the best BC for me is. I am currently interested in the SeaQuest Pro QD+, but that’s mainly because I’ve used one and like it and jacket style BCs are all that I’m familiar with (I actually bought one, but it was an XL and too big, so I sold it, a Large fits very well).

I’ve read through many of the articles on SB about the different styles of BCs and their uses, but honestly, it has just made deciding more difficult….especially when all these brands and styles are so similar yet so different.

Here’s my end goal. I want a BC that I can grow into (skill wise). I currently dive only warm water. I have a 3mm suit already so I’d be using that or no suit at all for the foreseeable future. I have only done one wreck dive so far and I really enjoyed it, so I can see myself doing a lot more of that. From what I’ve read there really is no BC that can do it all is there? I like the simple design of the harness style….very little clutter. I’ve looked at the DiveRite Transpac & Transpac II online and they interested me, but I just don’t know enough about what I would be getting.

I’m just having a really hard time deciding, and I don’t want to make a poor decision because it is an expensive investment and I will likely have this BC for a long time. If you vets could recommend a setup that I can grow into as I become more experience/technical I would really appreciate it.

Btw, I like weight integration a lot too and from what I’ve read you have to use a weight belt with a backplate/wing setup?

Thanks in advance for your help/advice

 

[gfisher4792]

I'll throw it out early for you, and recommend the BP/W, probably an aluminum BP and STA. Long story short, you can use a weight belt or you can get ditchable pockets that you can place on the harness (can't remember what they're called right now; someone else can pick up my slack). As for wings, Oxycheq, Halcyon or Dive Rite all make good wings (I have single tank Oxycheq). And yes, the BP/W can do all the proposed diving situations that you're thinking about (recreational, tending towards the technical route)

 

[cornfed]

What he said.

 

[beir]

I'll throw it out early for you, and recommend the BP/W, probably an aluminum BP and STA. Long story short, you can use a weight belt or you can get ditchable pockets that you can place on the harness (can't remember what they're called right now; someone else can pick up my slack). As for wings, Oxycheq, Halcyon or Dive Rite all make good wings (I have single tank Oxycheq). And yes, the BP/W can do all the proposed diving situations that you're thinking about (recreational, tending towards the technical route)

Ok, if i did go the bp/w route can someone recommend a setup that's not too expensive. I want something solid and reliable, but not necessarily top of the line. If you don't mind, can you be specific about the brands/models and such, because that's one of things I'm having trouble with....like which backplate, which wing, etc.

Thanks

 

[edneeves]

Everyone is pro "Wing" here so I thought I would try and redress the balance a bit. I have an AP Valves Commando TD and absolutely love it. It is comfortable when coupled with the Cummabund and has a feel of quality and indestructablilty that is backed up by an AP Valves lifetime guarantee.

For those like me that are a little scared of the BP and Wing setup its perfect!

Ed.

 

[gfisher4792]

You can check out this company: http://www.northeastscubasupply.com/, under Monthly Sales, they have a complete (I believe) setup for $329.99. Last time I checked, the equipment was DR, but since it's below MSRP, they can't specifically state that on their website. You can email or call them; I've only got quotes from them (good response), and from others' responses on the board, the customer service is good. I believe RichinNC bought a rig from them; you can PM him for his opinion as well. Good luck!

PS. Just noticed the special is for SS BP, but I'm sure you can ask them for AL pricing as well.

 

[RICHinNC]

ed....just out of wonder...what about a bp and wing bothers you?

Have you tried one?

I used a vest for a long time.......and by the way...support anyone that wants to use a vest....but after trying a bp and wing...had one in my closet the next day almost.

 

[Rick Murchison]

The Buoyancy Compensator (BC) decision.
Rather than try to tell you what's best for you, I'll relate my own experiences with jackets, harnesses, backplates & wings (BP/W), weight belts & weight integration. If any of what I have experienced fits your situation, good.
When I started diving in the late 60’s there were no BC's. We used a hard pack and harness to attach the tank, not dissimilar to a backplate without a wing. In warm water without a wetsuit this worked just fine, as with a steel 72 and a couple pounds on a weight belt the diver was very close to neutrally buoyant - I still love to dive this rig when I get the chance; it is the ultimate "uncluttered" rig.
My first BC was a “Techni-Pro” – one of those flash-in-the-pan brands that arrived on the scene as a “cutting edge” jacket but backed by a company that didn’t survive. It had a right shoulder dump, adjustable quick-release shoulder straps, roomy pockets, an “adjust-it-once” camband with overcenter lock, tank stabilizing gussets and even a Velcro upper tank band to keep the tank in proper vertical trim and alignment. It was a good, rugged jacket with good surface floatation, but not particularly comfy. I used that exclusively for over a decade; it is still perfectly functional and I keep it around as a loaner and a backup. As with most any jacket, when combined with proper weighting and an AL 80, it has excellent rotational stability in both pitch and roll, allowing the diver to assume any position with minimal effort – a real boon to photographers.
In the 90’s I got interested in instructing, and in caves, which took my BC requirements in two different directions. For instructing I needed to wear something the shop where I worked had for sale; for caves I needed something more technical. Without getting into detail, over the next decade I ended up with a Transpac II (the first design), steel and aluminum BPs, three wings (Dive-Rite travel, Rec & Classic) a tropical jacket and a ProQD jacket. All are excellent and I dive them all, depending on the type dive I’m doing.
The tropical jacket (Seaquest Explorer – unfortunately discontinued) is very small and lightweight, packs small and is just perfect for the tropics (3 mil wetsuit max). I take this BC everywhere in the Caribbean as my first choice – it is comfortable, has adequate lift and superb rotational stability with weight belt and AL80… I can get into any position I want to get that photo and not have to worry about rolling or going forward or backward out of position while composing and making the shot.
If I need more lift but still want to use a jacket – instructing Open Water classes, for example, my choice is the ProQD. Lots of lift, excellent surface floatation characteristics, and with an AL80 excellent rotational stability in both roll and pitch under water. I also like this jacket for diving photo shoots in colder water where I’m using a 5 mil or thicker wetsuit. I don’t like it as a traveling BC because it is huge.
The Transpac II – my Transpac probably sees more use than any of my other rigs. It’s blend of good rotational stability with AL tanks (single or double, just change from travel to rec wing) attachment points (diving a stage on vacation? The little tropical jacket won’t do, the ProQD’s too big to travel with and while you can sling a stage on it, it’s not exactly designed for that) and its ability to comfortably handle just about any tank configuration up to double 85’s with stages & deco bottle you can dream up makes this harness my most used.
If I know I’m only going to dive doubles, then I use the steel BP/Rec wing for AL or steel up to 85’s; the AL BP/Classic wing for 95’s or 104’s. I personally do not like a BP/wing with singles at all; even big singles like LP120’s I prefer the Transpac/travel wing.
In summary, my experience is that the “best” BC depends on the type diving one intends to do. If I am strictly a recreational tropical picture-taker who eschews cold water and only dives single tanks where it’s warm, a tropical jacket’s the ticket. If I’m only going to dive singles but want the option of diving colder water, a “regular” jacket would be my first choice. If I’m heading in the hard core tech direction, and see myself in doubles and a drysuit, then a BP/wing is the way to go. The closest thing to an “all in one” solution, in my opinion, is the Transpac – but with two wings, both travel and Rec.
Above all, remember that diving’s all about *your* pleasure.
And color coordination, of course.
Rick

 

[edneeves]

The jacket seemed like the all in one answer for me, when you look at BP and Wing's it looks like a system that can have a million different combinations and set ups, more of a technical piece of equipment. I also really like the hugging effect that the jacket style BC gives. It makes me feel secure.

Thats not to say I wouldn't ever buy a BP and Wing, in fact if I had the chance I would definately road test one, just so I know exactly what its like.

Ed.

 

[beir]

The Buoyancy Compensator (BC) decision.
Rather than try to tell you what's best for you, I'll relate my own experiences with jackets, harnesses, backplates & wings (BP/W), weight belts & weight integration. If any of what I have experienced fits your situation, good............
Rick

Wow, thanks for educating me. Nice to hear from folks with experience in all conditions. I know I will be diving in warm water for now. Honestly, I don't even want to try cold water until I have a little more experience.

I do like the idea of just changing out the wing for a specific dive even though for now I'm guessing all I would need for a while is a travel wing? I will be flying/driving to most of my dive destinations so a big bulky jacket would make this difficult.