Best technical BCD

[SuPrBuGmAn]

As SuPrBuGmAn has explained the redundancy and ability to isolate supply vs regulator gives you alot more options when "it hits the fan".

This is where the debates start. More options when the "shiot hits the fan" is quite subjective. Depending on the failure or problem, something catastrophic with a very quick loss of gas might end up depleting more gas than your reserve on a manifolded doubles setup while you work the isolator(or worse, work other valves first).

In an independant setup, you can only lose one tank. If you managed your gas correctly, you'll always have enough gas to exit on a single tank(incase of losing an entire tank at max penetration).

It all depends on the problem and how quickly you can react with it.





If I were diving backmount, I'd be diving with a manifold and isolator(infact thats what I did when I dove backmount). Presently I'm diving independants, in sidemount configuration and I think its safer in every respect.

 

[m1ck]

Unless you think sidemount diving is in your future(and it certainly has benefits in different overhead environments). Your BP/W won't help you there, and you'll have to buy it right... again.

The Transpac easily becomes a Nomad with a few add-ons. It works with backmount doubles and singles, for pretty much any diving.

"Buy it right, or buy it twice" doesn't apply to all types of diving. Get the right tool for the job or at the very least you can buy a tool that works well enough for several jobs.

Hi SuPrBuGmAn,

I am not up to pen level yet but I know a number of pen dives around Mt Gambier, South Australia that are side-mount dives so it might be worth my while to keep my options open .

Thanks again,
Mick

 

[m1ck]

Unless you think sidemount diving is in your future(and it certainly has benefits in different overhead environments). Your BP/W won't help you there, and you'll have to buy it right... again.

The Transpac easily becomes a Nomad with a few add-ons. It works with backmount doubles and singles, for pretty much any diving.

"Buy it right, or buy it twice" doesn't apply to all types of diving. Get the right tool for the job or at the very least you can buy a tool that works well enough for several jobs.

Don't beat yourself up, its not like you bought any entry level training BC. I know lots of people who dive the Transpac. Its a good sturdy comfortable piece of gear. Once you put it on you'll be "happy as Larry". Dive the hell out of it. It will take you everywhere you want to go, and wont give you any grief.

Have fun. dive safe,

U/O

Hi Underwater Ogre,

Do you mind if I call you Ogre for short?

I am still waiting to meet Larry - you know, the guy who's always happy !!
Dive Rite Express processed my order the same day I ordered, January 19 and shipped using USPS - The United States Postal Service (U.S. Postal Service) (tracking number CJ22 1384 363U S).

My order left Miami the afternoon of January 21. Arrived Sydney Australia 9:30 am 25th January. For the last nine (9) days it has been sitting with Australian Customs who refuse to let it through. I do have extra fins amd hoots and accesories in that order but what are the sniffer dogs looking for? I suspect they want to hit me with a lump sum tax of some kind - which would make me very sad.

Do you have any contacts who can get your new President to put a good word in for me?

Signed,
Glum !!!

 

[Sas]

My order left Miami the afternoon of January 21. Arrived Sydney Australia 9:30 am 25th January. For the last nine (9) days it has been sitting with Australian Customs who refuse to let it through. I do have extra fins amd hoots and accesories in that order but what are the sniffer dogs looking for? I suspect they want to hit me with a lump sum tax of some kind - which would make me very sad.

Was it over $1k? If so they will put GST on it. Otherwise I am not sure why they would be holding it...

 

[m1ck]

Was it over $1k? If so they will put GST on it. Otherwise I am not sure why they would be holding it...

Hi Saspotato,

Correct - today they tell me I am up for 10% GST plus 5% customs duty and even though I got the postage for free I have to pay the same again on postage. There goes my trip to PNG.

On the phone this afternoon to Customs and the (belligerent) guy says why didn't I check with Customs *before* my purchase. Regardless of his tone he is right and I learn the hard way .

BTW, you have some superb pics - what camera do you use?

Thanks,
Mick
(still a week away frmo receiving my kit from Customs).

 

[Sas]

Hi Saspotato,

Correct - today they tell me I am up for 10% GST plus 5% customs duty and even though I got the postage for free I have to pay the same again on postage. There goes my trip to PNG.

On the phone this afternoon to Customs and the (belligerent) guy says why didn't I check with Customs *before* my purchase. Regardless of his tone he is right and I learn the hard way .

BTW, you have some superb pics - what camera do you use?

Thanks,
Mick
(still a week away frmo receiving my kit from Customs).

Oh that sucks Sorry to hear that. I have heard a lot of people get away with it, but sounds like you got unlucky!

Thanks re the pics I use either a Sony P93 or a Panasonic TZ15. The TZ15 is better but it's my buddy's so don't use that all the time just steal it occasionally

 

[Kern]

Hi Saspotato,

Correct - today they tell me I am up for 10% GST plus 5% customs duty and even though I got the postage for free I have to pay the same again on postage. There goes my trip to PNG.

On the phone this afternoon to Customs and the (belligerent) guy says why didn't I check with Customs *before* my purchase. Regardless of his tone he is right and I learn the hard way .

BTW, you have some superb pics - what camera do you use?

Thanks,
Mick
(still a week away frmo receiving my kit from Customs).

I'm sorry to have to tell you this Mick, but it gets worse. As it was free freight, it probably came by US mail instead of a courier service such as UPS or DHL. If it came by one of the couriers, part of the cost includes a customs agent service. If it came by US post you have to organise & pay for your own customs agent at a cost of say between $200 & $300. Ahh, you say, I'll do that myself, unfortunately it'll still cost you & they make it so painful & it takes so long that it's just not worth the aggravation.

For future reference; When buying over the internet

 

[m1ck]

Oh that sucks Sorry to hear that. I have heard a lot of people get away with it, but sounds like you got unlucky!

Thanks re the pics I use either a Sony P93 or a Panasonic TZ15. The TZ15 is better but it's my buddy's so don't use that all the time just steal it occasionally

Hi Saspotato,

I'm looking for a new camera. Currently my Sony P10 has served me well for a beginners camera - with some good shots now and then but I'm sure I can get better pics with a better camera.

Yours are good enough to submit to Ocean Geographic Ocean Geographic

Mick

 

[m1ck]

I'm sorry to have to tell you this Mick, but it gets worse. As it was free freight, it probably came by US mail instead of a courier service such as UPS or DHL. If it came by one of the couriers, part of the cost includes a customs agent service. If it came by US post you have to organise & pay for your own customs agent at a cost of say between $200 & $300. Ahh, you say, I'll do that myself, unfortunately it'll still cost you & they make it so painful & it takes so long that it's just not worth the aggravation.

For future reference; When buying over the internet

Hi Kern,

Thanks for the Customs link ... my smuggling days are over.

My initial outlay of US$751.91 at 03:02:04 UTC on January 18th 2009.
The exchange rate was Au$1.00 = US$0.66569 (XE - The World's Favorite Currency and Foreign Exchange Site).
The bank only gave me US$0.64878 costing me an extra AU$29.43.
Then the bank also charged me an extra Au$34.19 in international transaction fees :depressed:

My order was picked up by Aussie Customs in Sydney 9:24 am AEST January 25th and released nearly three weeks later February, Friday, 13th after Customs charged me in excess of Au$180 extra which comprised of 10% GST plus 5% Customs duties plus $48 administration charges plus 0.92% extra because I used a VISA card to pay the bill.

I expect tomorrow, Tuesday, February 18th, this kit will finally be available for me to pick up from my post office in Belconnen.

I have a weekend of Nitrox diving at Merimbula this weekend so as soon as I get wet I will forget all the drama and begin to smile again

Thanks,
Mick

 

[Sas]

Hi Saspotato,

I'm looking for a new camera. Currently my Sony P10 has served me well for a beginners camera - with some good shots now and then but I'm sure I can get better pics with a better camera.

Yours are good enough to submit to Ocean Geographic Ocean Geographic

Mick

Haha thanks, I don't think so but thanks for your compliment My Sony P93 is quite an old camera (it cost me $76 all up so that is why I use it - also it's decent enough for the shots I like) so there are newer ones now that are much better. I really don't know about cameras :blush: My buddy does all that research He is looking at a Canon G20 or G10 or something like that at the moment.

Anyway, sorry to hear about all the extra charges. Hope it arrives for you today