BP/W really OK for a newbie

[SangP]

I've read through all your posts again and I'm sorry but we have a failure to communicate.

I thought it was pretty clear when you said: "Regular bcs are.... but not really that fun to drive."

It's okay though...

Talking's easier... LOL! Not so easy to get misread

A bp/w is just a simpler more refine version of a regular bc that's all.

I like simple

SangP

 

[SangP]

LavaSurfer,

I do agree that a decent reg will make a lot of difference but I think bouyancy control is the simple most important thing in diving and the sooner you achieve that the easier and more enjoyable diving would be.

A good reg would allow you to breath easier and better but I won't improve your skills. Sooo, I would rather a new diver get a bc first then a reg... my 2 cents.

SangP

 

[CompuDude]

I think we need a third faction. How about the Horse Collar crowd?

And then there's the ever-popular backpack diver crowd... who needs a stinkin' BC?

http://diver.net/backpack_divers/

As to which to buy first: BC or Reg, that's a matter of personal preference. Apparently, LavaDiver REALLY hates the thought of rental regs, which I guess I can see. But I eat off the same plates countless others have eaten off of everytime I go to a restaurant, and seem to be fine, so that doesn't really bother me. They're cleaned anyway, and you can always clean it yourself to be sure if you're worried, or do like some do and buy your own mouthpiece for the rental reg. So rental regs don't bother me nearly as much as craptastic rental BCs. They're all gonna breathe... in, out, repeat. It's buoyancy that needs work to get right, so that's where my money goes first.

 

[Azza]

How are all you guys missing this?

Why do you want to buy a BCD at all?*

*BCD being either a BPW or Jacket Style or Horse Collar

 

[BSea]

How are all you guys missing this?

Why do you want to buy a BCD at all?*

*BCD being either a BPW or Jacket Style or Horse Collar

How are we missing What? He just asked if a BP/W was ok for a newbie. Not IF he should buy 1.

 

[Azza]

How are we missing What? He just asked if a BP/W was ok for a newbie. Not IF he should buy 1.

If he only wants to dive 3-4 times a year...whats the point in owning a BCD?

 

[SangP]

Because he may be diving over the next 20 years and having your own gear makes it more fun to dive ie. less possible problems also like not getting a good fitting bc on your dive trips.

If a guy tells me he is going to dive 3-4 times a year, chances are he is one very busy guy and would like to travel overseas to dive... just my $0.02 worth of experience.

SangP

 

[theatis]

I don't think there's any backlash toward bp/w systems. I do think people are simply worn out by all the incessant and often missleading promotion of bp/w's by the same dozen or so people. Perhaps it's the manner in which they are incessanty promoted. Perhaps it's both.

There are two distinct groups here... 1. The BP/W evangelists who's incessant auto-reply to every inquiry is really boring and often missleading. 2. The real tech divers and gear lovers who talk about wings, plates, harnesses, techniques and etc. One can learn things from reading their posts.

By-the-way, its real easy to distinguish who belongs to which group.

I'll reply to this post and answer the OP at the same time. l'll definitely promote my BP/W (DSS) since I'm absolutely convinced without even a hint of a doubt that it worked better for me than a "conventional" BC. Why? Because all of those that i tried didn't fit me well at all but my BP/W fits me perfectly. I'm also a newbie. Isn't this a credible response to the original question as to whether a BP is really OK for a newbie? Do i fall into either the category of the evangelist or the real tech diver? I don't think so.

My point Don Janni is that you make it sound as if ALL promotion of BP/Ws is that sort of thing. Well, it isn't. I had some real problems that had to do (as NetDoc pointed out) with comfort and fit and this system solved them. I hope nothing is misleading about that.

 

[Biodiversity_guy]

and if you choose a bp/w you got the answer right...

Just wanted to add: great sense of humor King Kong!

 

[Vayu]

The backplate and wing system is alot tougher than conventional BC systems. If you took a high end back inflate bcd and slammed it against a backplate it is likely the bcd will pop. The steel plates make it nice and easy to bolt the wing to and the tank seems to be alot more stable as compared to softer units with no builtin backplates. :cyborg:

The harness is very simple and does not add very much buoyancy to the rig. Alot of other systems have buoyant padding all over the place. :cyborg:

But the single best feature of the backplate and wing system is that you will not have to wear a cumberbund. Everything is easily replaceable and therefore maintenance will be cheap and you will save $$ in the long run. :cyborg:

Plus they are shiny and very quick to dry. :cyborg: