Buoyancy Compensators, wing type

[Scubakid]

Hello fellow Scuba Divers,
I have a question for all of you to answer. Before I do so I ask for some things to be clear. I am NOT interested in OMS, Dive Rite/Halcyon or Ranger BC's so please do not write back stating that that's what I should buy.
So with that being said after having done a lot of research, again yes I know that you all swear by the Ranger/Dive Rite products, I am finally ready to "plunk" down some, too much, CASH and make a BC purchase. The BC's, winged style, that I have FINALLY come to a conclusion to and that can, in the future, be upgraded to carry Twin tanks are:

1) DACOR - "The Rig 3" Seems to be very well made and now that it is part of the Mares group should have a good service background as well as a build to last.

2) Oceanic - "Chute 2" Do not know much about this product.

3) Scubapro - "Superhawk" I know that this company builds reliable products but I also know that they are "friggin" expensive.

So with a lot of your Gentlemen's experience, knowledge and USE of above written products where should my hard earned cash be placed on?

Thank you for all of your input

Scubakid

 

[Lost Yooper]

Interested in buying used? I know two guys who are thinking about selling a Rig and a Super Hawk in order to get the Halcyon rig.

Let me know.

Mike

 

[divernva]

One of the BCs in the Oceanic line has bungees... it may be the Chute 2. Take a look at the "Oh, I hate to do this......" thread regarding this these types of wings. In short, not a good idea for a few reasons.

If you're open to suggestions... Another relatively inexpensive back-inflation BC is the Aqua-Lung Malibu... or something like that. I have a Mares Synchro Power that worked well and was doubles compatible.

Good luck with your selection. If you can dive with each.

Ken

 

[detroit diver]

Why have you ruled out the brands that you have?

 

[Scubakid]

Lost Yooper - Thank you for your reply. But to answer you I would be interested in purchasing "new" therefore meaning the "NEWLY IMPROVED" equipment.

Detroit Diver - The reason as to my decision is simple. I do not plan on doing mostly "TECH" diving but a mixture of all to also include wreck, cold water (lakes/ocean), some warm water (sea), and this will be done entering the water from both beaches and boats. I also plan on doing this in foreign parts of the world and want to make sure that if something were to break/rip or blow, I would be able to have it serviced. Hence the choices. I believe that those brands that I have picked are very well known throughout the world and thus would be able to have them serviced if need be. Not to say that I know anything, which I don't, but I do have friends that use/have used the OMS/Halcyon/Dive Rite and some of it like the system and some don't. I guess it comes down to preference. However they have said that these systems are very comfortable but with that they also mentioned that companies such as DACOR/OCEANIC.... are starting to now built systems that are just as good/comfortable and still can be upgraded to twins, if need be, without any fuss.

Hope this helps you to figure out as to my decision.

SCUBAKID

 

[BadFish]

You may pay more in the beginning but if you take the time and pay the price for the best gear you can get. In the long run it cost less then to get something cause its cheap but hase to be replaced every few years.

Just my 2 cents

 

[donooo]

Well,,, once you throw out the top three or four or five brands (cuz they don't rip/ break or blow) you might as well flip a coin. I'll bet I can get nylon webbing sewn anywhere. Sorry, in my small little world I don't know anyone that uses any of those. I know I could find a place to buy the Scubapro though, just don't have enough cash. Let us know what you decide.

good luck don O

 

[roakey]

Actually I’d like to address your reasons for skipping over the so-called “technical” equipment.

Recreational equipment works well for recreational diving and doesn’t work well for technical diving. Technical equipment (speaking for the time being in terms of a buoyancy device) works GREAT for recreational diving, so you’re not giving up *anything* going with a more technical setup for recreational diving.

[Correct] technical equipment is more robust than recreational equipment, so you should look at it even more if you’re going to foreign parts of the world. In the case of BCs and backplates, technical equipment is easier to repair than recreational equipment. Tear a strap on your Dacor BC? You’re either going to have to get it stitched back on or buy a new BC. Tear a strap on a backplate? 10 to 12 feet of weight belt material from an LDS and you’re back in business. Hole in the flimsy waterbed-like bladder in your Dacor BC? Much less likely in the inflatable boat material that Halcyon uses. And if you’re paranoid, bring a boat patch kit with you and the simple, flat Halcyon bladder is much easier to get at and repair due to the simplicity of the Halcyon wing design.

So, in conclusion, when it comes to a failed BCs you’re not talking about service, you’re talking about replacement or, if you’re lucky, an ad-hoc repair. A backplate and wing is much easier to effect real repairs upon and much more robust so the probability of it requiring repair is much smaller. And most of the “support” parts are off-the-shelf stuff that any LDS (foreign or domestic) could supply you with.

Lastly, “upgrading” a Dacor to twins? Maybe in the eyes of Dacor’s marketing department, but not in the real world. Oh, they have a kit that’ll allow you to fasten twins onto the BC, but don’t count on it working even remotely well.

Roak