Buying first BC - Preferably Travel BC

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

Okay.. Will contact the DiveRite dealer in the morning.. Will also ask my instructor to help with the training.. I think the backplate + harness will save me some money too.. Planning to buy a Jacket BCD before, now I think I'll go with the BP/W.. :D
Thanks for all the input.. It means a lot to a newbie like me.. :)
 
One trick is to make sure you do the initial adjustment wearing the same type of exposure protection you plan to wear. If not, then the rig will be difficult to remove. Also one tip is not to make the shoulders too tight. Once you purchase it you can look for videos and instructions on the proper way to set it up.
 
Oh yes, another question then.. Do I have to measure the initial adjustment on land or in the water..? And with the tank strapped on or without..? I figure it will be different..
 
If your budget can stand it, I'd strongly suggest a UTD quick adjust system: Quick Adjust System - Harness Accessories - Harnesses & Wings - TECHNICAL DIVING - Dive Right in Scuba

[video=youtube;uiohItk1wNw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiohItk1wNw[/video]

You really only need one of these (on the right-side) and it makes getting in/out of your harness really really easy. If you have access to an industrial sewing machine, you could make your own for <$5.00. The beauty is there is nothing to break even if a boat-mate decides to drop a tank on it.
 
If your budget can stand it, I'd strongly suggest a UTD quick adjust system: Quick Adjust System - Harness Accessories - Harnesses & Wings - TECHNICAL DIVING - Dive Right in Scuba

You really only need one of these (on the right-side) and it makes getting in/out of your harness really really easy. If you have access to an industrial sewing machine, you could make your own for <$5.00. The beauty is there is nothing to break even if a boat-mate decides to drop a tank on it.

Do you have this? I have some questions on it.
 
Do you have this? I have some questions on it.

Yes. Tried to send you PM, your inbox is full
 
If your budget can stand it, I'd strongly suggest a UTD quick adjust system: Quick Adjust System - Harness Accessories - Harnesses & Wings - TECHNICAL DIVING - Dive Right in Scuba

[video=youtube;uiohItk1wNw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiohItk1wNw[/video]

You really only need one of these (on the right-side) and it makes getting in/out of your harness really really easy. If you have access to an industrial sewing machine, you could make your own for <$5.00. The beauty is there is nothing to break even if a boat-mate decides to drop a tank on it.

Well, need to find out if it's sold here in my country.. Probably gonna have to import.. Or maybe make my own.. :)
Is there something similar offered by certain brand? Or I can only buy it at the site you mentioned?

Edit 1 : Oh yeah, I just find out that Apeks and Halcyon BP/W is also available here in my country.. Are they good..? Or I better just go with DiveRite?
Edit 2 : Just found out that there is Deep Ocean Supply too in Indonesia..
 
Last edited:
Oh yes, another question then.. Do I have to measure the initial adjustment on land or in the water..? And with the tank strapped on or without..? I figure it will be different..


Here's what I did yesterday.

Thread the shoulder straps (with the d rings) and through to the back of the plate.

Bring the straps tight enough that you can touch the top of the plate reaching with your hands (one at a time).

Put a tri glide in the back of the plate (so the webbing won't move) this is usually not standard in a kit.

Make sure both shoulder straps are equal length (I put some weight (foot) on the plate on the ground, and pull on the straps to make sure they're equal).

You can now thread on the hip d ring and buckle (the buckle ends up on the right of the crotch strap).

Adjust the shoulder d rings by putting your arms out at your sides, palms down. Bend your arms at you elbow only until your thumbs touch your armpits. This is where the D rings should be. These also should be in the same spot on the webbing (can check like the strap length above).

The crotch strap should be comfortable. I put the rear d ring just below where the tank ends.


This is all done (except for the rear d ring) without a tank, but wearing your exposure protection.


Extra notes ... Put a bungee loop in the left d ring, this holds your wing inflator.

Cut excess webbing off on the waist strap. I keep enough length to pass through the crotch strap past the buckle.


The hardest part is figuring out how to weave the buckle .... I've weaved one many times backwards (same with tank strap can bands).


BRad
 
Try this:

Buoyancy:
Scubapro Knighthawk XL SCUBAPRO - KNIGHTHAWK
Size table http://www.scubastore.com/images/pdf/cuadro_tallas/eng_scubapro_size_jack1.pdf
This is a back inflate, a good solid BC
I have a BP/W and the Knighthawk, I don't use the BP/W. My wife has PB/W, Zuma and Ladyhawk she only uses the Ladyhawk.

Reg:
Scubapro MK21/S560/S360 - piston first stage, balanced user adjustable Primary, balanced non-adjustable Secondary OR SCUBAPRO - MK21/S560 SCUBAPRO - S360 OCTOPUS
Scubapro MK17/S360/S360 - Diaphragm sealed first stage, balanced non-adjustable Primary, balanced non-adjustable Secondary OR SCUBAPRO - MK17/S360 SCUBAPRO - S360 OCTOPUS

The MK21 is similar to the MK25 but without the swivel turret
The S560 is the same as S600 from a few years ago, in that it has the plastic balance chamber, there are lot of s600's around still with that config
The S360 is the same as the obsolete S550. Pretty much the same as the s600 but not user adjustable.

For my dive kit I have 3 Ladyhawk BCs, 3 KnightHawk, and 7 reg sets all MK25 with a mix of older and newer s600 and s360. These all work well for my family.

Not saying this is the best or only option, but as you have Scubapro 'local' and it can generally be serviced in most locations in the world.

In buying a BP/W or a Back inflate BC, you need to give some thought to the gear you will carry and how you will stow this. Jacket BCs have pockets, but often these are not practical, a bit high to access or odd shapes/small.

Being a new diver you may not be aware of the gear you might want to carry. The reason good BP/W and BCs have many D-rings is to allow clipping on items, torch, camera, SMB, spool, etc

Another consideration is use of integrated weights or weight belt. Most mid and upper range BCs will include integrated weight pockets, on the BP/W this is another cost and needs to fit on the webbing.

Just my 2cents.
 

Back
Top Bottom