Best overall BC made Period

[meisburger]

I'd buy the cheapest, lightest one you can get. If you get the same model your LDS rents, but in your size instead of extra large, you will have a high quality, durable BC that will last for many years, guarenteed. The more complex the BC, the heavier it will be and the longer it will take to dry. If you are tropical diving, get the one with the least lift. Whatever it is will be plenty. Save your dough and spend it diving! Tim

 

[scubadobadoo]

Bob, I've had the Black diamond for over 8yrs now...Sometimes the gear doen't dry out for months at a time.

My point exactly. Just teasing ya!

 

[ippy01]

I'd buy the cheapest, lightest one you can get. If you get the same model your LDS rents, but in your size instead of extra large, you will have a high quality, durable BC that will last for many years, guarenteed. The more complex the BC, the heavier it will be and the longer it will take to dry. If you are tropical diving, get the one with the least lift. Whatever it is will be plenty. Save your dough and spend it diving! Tim

...while the Black Diamond is a very well-made, highly functional BC, it is just TOO large, heavy, and cumbersome. As a newbie diver I took some comfort in its bulk. Now I'm looking to replace it with the smallest, lightest, solution I can find. I'm leaning toward the harness/wing route.

 

[Mako Mark]

the best way to find out is to go and try a couple of different ones. try the jacket style, the ranger, the back mounted and the BP/W and then decide for yourself. Plenty of dive stores will let you jump in the pool with a trial set and some manufacturers have demo days.

 

[carlislere]

mrstein
The best two BCs I have had are the old ScubaPro Stab jacket (80's version) and the Dive Rite TransPac II with RECWings, in that order.

 

[chevdiver]

I have about 60 dives in my ScubaPro Classic BC, a combination of both beach and boat off the Monterey/Carmel coast, and feel very safe and comfortable in it. It has tons of lift and holds me at a comfortable slightly reclined angle on the surface. Having a separate weight belt is a pain, but I like knowing I can ditch it very easily if need be. My wife and I dive with exactly the same gear so we won't have to stop and think if there is a issue down under. As for the air2, I really like that fact that it is right there although it does tend to tug a little forcing you to clamp down on it. I have had one buddy breathing situation so far and I easily found my air2 and offered my primary to my buddy in need. it worked out very nicely. On some dives, I just use my air2 for half the dive to make sure I am completely comfortable with it. Also, in the kelp, it is one less thing to get tangled. My BC is over 12 years old and still works as good as the day I bought it. The pockets are durable and I often put 5 lbs in each to take some of the weight off my belt. no problem. When the time comes to finally replace it, I would have no issues what so ever buying another one. Granted I haven't dove with any of the others yet, and I completely agree with the experience shared here, but from my experience, this BC seems to have everything I could ever ask for. And, from a safety standpoint, IMHO I'd rank it right up there near the top.

 

[crpntr133]

Anybody got any popcorn? I just ran out and don't want to miss a thing on this one.

Best overall BC made Period :rofl2:

 

[djanni]

Probably nothing to miss....... The guy made his post back in early April. If he hadn't decided by now nothing's going to help.

PS: Rumor has it he bought a Zeagle Ranger after reading some staffer's thread about his experience with them.

Anybody got any popcorn? I just ran out and don't want to miss a thing on this one.

Best overall BC made Period :rofl2:

 

[crpntr133]

Probably nothing to miss....... The guy made his post back in early April. If he hadn't decided by now nothing's going to help.

PS: Rumor has it he bought a Zeagle Ranger after reading some staffer's thread about his experience with them.

Noticed the date but figured that the coals had been fanned again. If rumor is true then he bought a good BC.

 

[m7scuba]

Don't listen to anyone else, go save your money and get an Orion from Triple L
I've got 10 dives and know what I'm talking about...

But seriously, I wish I had the money to get the BP/W to start out (I know, it's going to cost more in the long run...). I do like the Orion, but like others have said it is BIG (40 lbs lift I think). I haven't tried to fly with it yet, but I'm sure it's going to eat up quite a bit of my suitcase (but who needs clothes, I'll be in the water all the time, right?). It seems to be well put together, but I'll know better once I've got 50 or 100 dives on it. When you get right down to it, it is essentially a wing with BC style WI harness.