Buying first BC - Preferably Travel BC

[bradells]

Yes, will do that..

After reading a lot, BP/W seems to be better than Jacket/Backmounted BCD.. Should I go for that..?
There is DiveRite distributor in Jakarta. And it seems they have most the items listed on the Dive Rite website.
Maybe tomorrow I will ask my instructor first, whether I should use a standard BCD or will he train me in using BP/W..

Edit 1 : BTW, should I use One Brand for all the geasr? Or is it better if I mix and match..? Currently in my thought it is better if I use One Brand for all the gears mainly because it will look good with all the same brand on every parts. But I believe to get the best parts, I will have to mix and match don't I..?

I'm a huge fan of bp/w. jackets bc's only fit certain people, whereas, a bp/w will fit you. It doesn't need to fit anyone else.

There are a lot of great resources on how to set it up (it's rather pretty simple, but sounds complicated ... I just re-did a harness yesterday, took about 10 minutes).

For warm water travel, a lightweight plate (or if you don't mind the baggage weight, a SS plate to reduce your lead requirements), 30-40lb wing and some pockets (trim pockets on the tank straps and/or ditch-able waist pockets for putting in weights), or rig them (hard weights) to your plate (zip tie, bungee, etc).

Alternatively, you could just use a weight belt, but keep it high on your hips, otherwise, it'll unbalance you and bring your feet down.

If you want gear pockets, you can add them as well, but pocket shorts are a great way to store important safety items (like a dsmb and spool) out of the way, and still easy to access.

You don't have to use only 1 brand, nor you don't have to use multiple brands. Having said that, my set-ups are a mish mash of brands and it works well (most items bought used/on sale/availability)

BRad

 

[claymore]

The only reason to get all one brand is for service and warranty purposes. Shops generally will only service what brands they sell. Lifetime warranty is a debatable issue and may not be available there. Regulators and computers are the two main things that need service, rebuilds and batteries. You may need to replace an inflator occasionally.

 

[Yuri_RP]

I found that these brands are available in my country and they have BP/W.. DiveRite, ScubaPro, Hollis and Zeagle.. Which one do you think is best for a BP/W rig..?
I agree that warranty is probably not going to be available at all here.. For Dive Computer I think only Suunto is widely supported here, mainly because it is also sold in a watch shop and they have the Distributor here..
About regulator, I haven't really looked into it.. Currently my mind is set on Cressi regulator, because only Cressi website got somewhat of an online store, so they are a bit more available than the other.. The other brands are just distributor site with no online store, some doesn't show the price, and some doesn't even have the product info at all..

 

[ams511]

I found that these brands are available in my country and they have BP/W.. DiveRite, ScubaPro, Hollis and Zeagle.. Which one do you think is best for a BP/W rig..?
I agree that warranty is probably not going to be available at all here.. For Dive Computer I think only Suunto is widely supported here, mainly because it is also sold in a watch shop and they have the Distributor here..
About regulator, I haven't really looked into it.. Currently my mind is set on Cressi regulator, because only Cressi website got somewhat of an online store, so they are a bit more available than the other.. The other brands are just distributor site with no online store, some doesn't show the price, and some doesn't even have the product info at all..

Probably the least expensive is going to be the Dive Rite or the Hollis. I am not a big fan of Zeagle's BP/W because some of their wings use proprietary mounting so you need to use a Zeagle plate. Scubapro will be the most expensive.

I don't know much about Cressi regulators because it is not a popular brand here in the US. I am not sure if having an online store is a good reason for choosing a regulator. I would recommend Aqualung, Apeks, (Apeks and Aqualung are related companies) or Scubapro. They have the largest dealer networks and their designs don't change that often so servicing is not a problem.

As far as computers go a Scubapro dealer should also sell Uwatec computers and Hollis and Dive Rite have their own line of computers.

 

[Yuri_RP]

Thanks for the info.. Will continue to do more research of availability and price here in Indonesia.. Will post again later for more of your suggestions..

 

[Centrals]

To set up a BP/W for a absolute beginner is NOT easy. There are a lot of fine details to consider eg. ABS, Al or Steel plate, wing capacity, weight systems, harness(adjustable, quick release or simple). You really need someone who you can TRUST to guide you through. If you walk in to a dive shop now, you can easily end up spending a lot of money on something that is not really suitable.
Dive Rite has the longest history on BP/W among those you had listed. But is it better? This I cannot answer.
One important thing to consider on regulator is the after sell service. How easy to have it repair/service any where in the world?

Spending money is easy but intelligently is another matter.

 

[Peter Guy]

OP -- It is my opinion that Centrals is just dead wrong in saying setting up a BP/W is not easy for a beginner. I really don't know what he believes is a problem. There are very few things to adjust:

a. Shoulder straps;

b. D-rings on the shoulder straps;

c. D-ring on the waist strap;

d. Crotch strap.

ONCE it is set up, and it might take a dive or two to get it "perfect" for you -- not too tight, not too loose, not to high, not too low -- but once it is done, it's done -- and in the meantime, you've had a few fun dives!

With your choices, I'd suggest the Dive Rite system (and I just saw Dive Rite has a new "light weight" plate that might fit your needs well). Get the plate, standard harness, crotch strap, cambands and wing (25-30 pound) and you'll be good to go. In looking at the Dive Rite website, it appears there are plenty of videos to show you how to actually thread the harness, if your local people don't have any experience with a BP system. BTW, if there are any "technical" divers in your area, I'd be pretty confident they would have experience with the system.

 

[Scott]

I'm going to agree with Peter, it's not terribly difficult.
My first BP&W was in 2009 in preparation for my tek class.
Not to look like a fool for my instructor I attempted to set it up myself.
Between the Dive Rite and GUE site I was pretty well setup after a couple shakedown dives, with only a couple minor tweaks from the instructor for the course.
I found the continuos harness easier to rig and setup than the DR Deluxe with a quick release on one shoulder.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Yuri_RP]

OP -- It is my opinion that Centrals is just dead wrong in saying setting up a BP/W is not easy for a beginner. I really don't know what he believes is a problem. There are very few things to adjust:

a. Shoulder straps;

b. D-rings on the shoulder straps;

c. D-ring on the waist strap;

d. Crotch strap.

ONCE it is set up, and it might take a dive or two to get it "perfect" for you -- not too tight, not too loose, not to high, not too low -- but once it is done, it's done -- and in the meantime, you've had a few fun dives!

With your choices, I'd suggest the Dive Rite system (and I just saw Dive Rite has a new "light weight" plate that might fit your needs well). Get the plate, standard harness, crotch strap, cambands and wing (25-30 pound) and you'll be good to go. In looking at the Dive Rite website, it appears there are plenty of videos to show you how to actually thread the harness, if your local people don't have any experience with a BP system. BTW, if there are any "technical" divers in your area, I'd be pretty confident they would have experience with the system.

Yes, it will probably be a DiveRite after all.. I've looked at a few possible combination from the website.. Your suggestions is almost like what I'm planning to do..
But I'm still undecided on the Backplate and the Harness.. Should I go for the Transpac XT which is a Harness+Flexible Backplate..? Or get a SS Lite Backplate with which harness..? Will the Basic Harness be comfortable enough compared to the Deluxe or Transplate..?
Also about the wing.. Will the lightest Travel Series be enough for me..? Since I weigh 105 kg but will mostly dive in Tropical Water..
Gonna have to read the Wing calculator thread more thoroughly..
Still considering the regulator too..

 

[ams511]

The Transpac is $330 in the US while a plate and a harness is $130. There really is no benefit to the Transpac unless you are hiking to dive sites with the tanks on your back. Underwater there is no difference. If you are a tropical diver then the smaller wing will work. What matters is your buoyancy in the water, not how much you weigh on land.