Over the years I've used just about all the styles of BC (and no BC) and have accumulated quite a few different arrangements...
I own:
One old hardpack for a 72 - will not accomodate a bladder
Two backplates (AL & steel).
Three wings (Travel, Rec & Classic)
One tropical jacket (Seaquest Explorer)
One "all purpose" jacket (Technipro)
One big jacket (Seaquest Pro QD)
One Transpac harness.
----
Now, with all those to choose from on any given day, what do I use?
Well, it depends.
For cleaning the pool, the hardpack & 72
For tropical picture taking, the Explorer jacket & AL 80
For OW instructing, the Pro QD & single tank (any size)
For any single backmount tank tech or tech-like dive, the Transpac with Travel wing
For AL80 doubles up to steel 85 doubles, the steel BP & Rec wing
For Doubles larger than my steel 85's, the AL BP and Classic wing
Each rig represents the best tool from my tool collection for the job at hand. I am not a proponent of the "one rig for all occasions" philosophy. (And I absolutely, positively, do not like a U shaped wing or a BP with a single tank)
---
Back to the original question - it largely depends on the type diving you intend to do. I recommend you try a few dives - or at least a few trips to the pool - with each rig, doing the things you want to do, wearing the exposure protection you expect to wear, and see which works best for you.
Buy that one. (It'll be the Transpac
)
Rick
I own:
One old hardpack for a 72 - will not accomodate a bladder
Two backplates (AL & steel).
Three wings (Travel, Rec & Classic)
One tropical jacket (Seaquest Explorer)
One "all purpose" jacket (Technipro)
One big jacket (Seaquest Pro QD)
One Transpac harness.
----
Now, with all those to choose from on any given day, what do I use?
Well, it depends.
For cleaning the pool, the hardpack & 72
For tropical picture taking, the Explorer jacket & AL 80
For OW instructing, the Pro QD & single tank (any size)
For any single backmount tank tech or tech-like dive, the Transpac with Travel wing
For AL80 doubles up to steel 85 doubles, the steel BP & Rec wing
For Doubles larger than my steel 85's, the AL BP and Classic wing
Each rig represents the best tool from my tool collection for the job at hand. I am not a proponent of the "one rig for all occasions" philosophy. (And I absolutely, positively, do not like a U shaped wing or a BP with a single tank)
---
Back to the original question - it largely depends on the type diving you intend to do. I recommend you try a few dives - or at least a few trips to the pool - with each rig, doing the things you want to do, wearing the exposure protection you expect to wear, and see which works best for you.
Buy that one. (It'll be the Transpac
)Rick
