Buying a tech BCD prematurely?

[SeaHound]

Your profile doesn't say where you are... so, if you're nearby, come to Adventure Sports' Tech Day tomorrow and you can try out one of Tobin's rigs with a single tank & see how easy and comfy it is.
Rick

I am based in DC area which is not really a diving destination / place known for a lot of dive shops. But yes I like the idea of trying out BP/Wings with single tank to see how it fits. Thanks

 

[Bob3]

Also most "tech" bc's are not very tech.

yep.

Don;t get hung up on labels. "tec" ... is also a marketing tool.... it may be overengineered but it is cool to be tec therefore wanting to sell bc's the manufacturers market it as tec.

On the flip side, a BC with enough D-rings can eliminate the need for a weight belt.

(Name of manufacturer/s omitted to protect the guilty.)

 

[TSandM]

Yes, get a simple single tank setup to begin with, but make it a BP/W. You won't regret doing that, although you almost certainly will have to come up with a solution for pockets to keep various necessary items in. All you'll have to buy when you get to technical diving is a doubles wing. Much easier than having to buy the backplate and harness and wing and get used to it all with the additional change of double tanks.

 

[japan-diver]

I tell all my students when looking for gear think about what type of diving they plan on doing later and buy gear suitable for it as gear is expensive and lasts a long time. Buying the right gear the first time saves you money and gets you comfortable with the gear you will be using for more advanced diving in the future. A BP/W combo is the one of the best pieces of gear to start with as it will grow with your diving and you will not need you to replace a BC or relearn balance and trim when switching from a singles wing to a doubles wing- dumping air will be the same, your harness and gear attachment points will be the same etc...

 

[RonFrank]

The right tools for the job!

There are a lot of BP/W advocates on the board. Don't be fooled by the "buy one setup, and with minor modifications it will work for everything without additional expense" argument. If you get into more technical diving, you will drop a small fortune on equipment. I think I can say with confidence that most of the folks responding on this thread have more than ONE BP/W setup, and then some!

For single tank diving, there is no reason you NEED a BP/W. A good Back inflate BC is more than adequate.

I'd try and see if you can dive a few setups, and see what you think. If you are diving cold, and in a dry suit then IMO a BP/W with a SS Backplate makes a lot of sense. If you diving warm, then less so.

Don't blindly follow advice on this board, or at your LDS. Hook up with some local dive buddies, and see if you can try out some different gear.

I'd spend money on diving as a priority rather than high end gear. If money is no option, great, but then I doubt you would have posted this.

 

[Stu S.]

It becomes obvious to a diver when a new piece of gear is needed. You may find a situation where you can't dive without more gas, a reel, a big light, etc.

If you have to ask if you should buy something, then don't. Wait until you need it and make the best decision at that time.

Stu.

 

[Gombessa]

I know several people with back-inflate BCDs and love them, including one who regularly dives BP/W. You'll find a lot of hard-core attitudes on this board, it's just the nature of an enthusiast site.

 

[nereas]

Eventually, I would like to get into tech diving but right now I am relatively new to the sport (33 dives). I am looking to buy a BCD which I could dive with for the next 100 dives as that is the number of dives, pre-requisite for tech diving courses.

Seems like tech diving is a long way from where I am. To the more experienced people I would like to ask if I should buy a tech BCD now? or should I get a simple single tank BCD and worry about dual tank wing when I get there?

Thanks for your help.

Not a "BCD."

Go with a BPW then, if you think tech is in your future.

Deep Sea Supply Co in Los Angeles makes the most modern backplates, and Oxycheque makes the most modern wings, currently.

 

[fisherdvm]

I like my inexpensive non-tech back inflate due to its built in integrated weight, and pockets for my scissor, SMB, and back up light.

I saw a man on our trip with large wings, plastic back plate, large hanging weight pockets... He looked so untrimmed and uncomfortable, and constantly using his arms in the heavy current. Another man with BP/W set up used his weight pocket as pockets, and wore a weight belt instead.

Something about recreational diving makes life using a ready made back inflate BC so much more convenient. Many, mine included, have back pockets for weight to achieve good trim.

 

[nereas]

I know several people with back-inflate BCDs and love them, including one who regularly dives BP/W. You'll find a lot of hard-core attitudes on this board, it's just the nature of an enthusiast site.

There is however no such thing as a modern "tech BCD." That is like saying a "modern dinosaur."

What used to be called "tech BCDs" was something that could be used for both NDL single-tank recreational and also double-tank tech. But Deep Sea Supply's modern backplates are equally versatile for both NDL (with heavy weighting due to detachable plates) and for deco-tech (the slim 6 lb steel version), and so DSS is what is modern now.

The backplate "BCDs" are all obsolete now, except for D/Ms who must still wear them to showcase a given LDS's gear inventory.