Buying my first BCD - read a lot on SB, looking for advice/opinions

[qubus]

I think if you are diving with 5mm, you may want to use a 30lb or wings. Lift capacity depend on things that changes in buoyancy. 5mm is thick enough that 17-20lb wing may or may not cut. A properly designed 30lb wing can be as streamline as those 17-20lb wing.

Thanks @eelnoraa , that's good to know. If I would go for a wing, what should I look for. I noticed there are some with bungee cords to contract it, others don't have that.

Also I asked in a previous post, what is the difference in behavior/pros/cons of a horseshoe vs. a donut shaped wing? The horseshoe restricts airflow and I wold assume that's not optimal. Also I haven't seen many (any) horseshoes in the wild...

Regarding wings in general, what should I look for apart from the lift capacity? I understand some have zippers to access the bladders (makes for easier repair). Anything else?

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I saw this so figured I should chime in.
Yes I am still active making plates but am severely backordered with lots of people still waiting. I’m not in the plate business full time by any means, it’s a side hobby that I do when things get slow. Originally I was just making custom stuff for myself, then all my friends saw it and they all wanted one. So I started making more. That was 15 years ago.
I’m a commercial sign painter and pinstriper by trade and was one of the very few people that refused to convert to digital sign making. Now hand lettered painted signs have made an enormous comeback and I am absolutely buried alive, (because I’m the only one left).

Back to the topic.
A Freedom Plate rig would be less than a Hydros but more than a cheapo doubles plate package.
Plate $225
VDH wing $260
Harness kit about $50 with soft crotch strap.
Cam bands about $60 pair
Extras maybe $50 more max.
So for under $700 you could have a top of the line custom setup.
The nice thing about plates and wings is there really isn’t a lot that can fail or go wrong. The wing I suppose would be the weak link, but the VDH wing to me is about the best thing I’ve seen so far.
Webbing lasts years, and if your truck gets stuck in the mud you can always use your harness webbing to pull it out. Try that with the Hydros.
The plate lasts at least 5 lifetimes unless you let it sit at the bottom of the ocean for two years. BP/W setups are the most durable, frills free, simple, bullet proof low maintenance BC’s out there.
For world wide dive travel to obscure destinations in the far corners of the earth with limited to no services, a BP/W IMO would be the best option.

If you’ve been following the Rolex of Backplates thread I mentioned that I’m entertaining the idea of making a thinner weight saving version of the Contour out of stainless.
The current stainless plates are made out of 10 GA. The small weighs 3.75 lbs, and the medium weighs over 4 lbs. The large is over 5 lbs.
So if I drop the thickness down to 14 or 16 GA I may be able to reduce weight significantly while still retaining the virtues of stainless. Aluminum is a crappy alternative, and although I have popped a few plates out of aluminum to see what happens, I have never been thrilled about it.
Yes, I’m going to do that in all my FREE time
Not complaining, just busy.

You should have been here 7-8 years ago, I couldn’t even give them away!

 

[qubus]

Thank you @Eric Sedletzky for chiming in. If we would choose to go with BP/W, I'd for sure get in line for one of your making. I did read the Rolex thread (OK, I'll be honest, not all 60 pages of it...) but did pick up that you were looking for a new machine.

From what I gathered so far the preferred BP/W setup would be just what you described. The VDH 35# wing currently goes for 225 (before taxes and shipping though).

Good to know your opinion of your AL version. Why don't you like it?

 

[eelnoraa]

I think Eric has said it perfectly. Here is a few of of thoughts on wing:
1. definitely donut wing. while difference maybe small as someone may claim, but you are starting new, no reason to go with horse shoe. Myself can feel the difference.

2. inflator should come out from the left side, not center ( like xDeep ghost or DSS). Again difference may not small, but with smaller diver who most likely needs tank to be as low as possible, the center inflator hose outlet could make setup harder.

3. Most wing model mentioned here are quite good. I have used Oxycheq, Halcyon and HOG wings. No experience with VDH. Mostly, you are trading some toughness for pack-ability. If you can take a look at one in real life, it helps to decide. Amongst those I have used, Oxycheq the toughest, difficult to pack due to how thick and stiff the shell is. Halcyon is reasonable tough, but very pack friendly. This wing requires a STA, so if you are going with Eric's plate, H won't be compatible.

 

[Streydog]

A Brigade is a Ranger jacket with a smaller wing. So more of a hybrid heavy-duty/travel model. The jacket will be too big to go into a carry-on if theat's your intent.

A Covert rolls up small. A Zuma even comes with it's own drawstring bag after it's rolled up. Either will take up much less luggage spece in either carry-on or checked.

Zeagle's are tough - most made with 1000 denier fabric. I've owned a Ranger for well over a decade - changed the inflator once since I wanted their BX inflator so I can flush mine with a garden hose. It;s seen a free service 2 years after I bought it - nothing since.
And although it's big and heavy - I do travel with it - in checked luggage only.

I once got a Brigade, along with everything else, in a duffle bag that I was able to carry on for a 4 day trip. Now the bag was heavy and bulging but it worked. The fins I took were those Aeris Accel travel fins.

 

[dmaziuk]

BP/Wing is cheaper, stronger, more modular, more reliable with enough lift.

Maybe over in the land of milk and meadows. Here in murka there is any number of BCDs, including Covert, that cost as much or less than the cheapest wing. Wing only.

"Stronger, more reliable, and with enough lift"? Have you ever been to a tropical reef? Have you ever seen bladder size on a jacket BCD? Any jacket BCD?

 

[Scratch_Monkey]

I have the Scubapro Hydros Pro and have used it on two dive trips so far (Roatan and Caye Caulker). One thing I like about it is that it is a full bcd that breaks down very nicely for travel. You can use it for pretty much any kind of diving you want by switching out the integrated weight waist strap for the travel one.

I really enjoy the travel waist strap as it decreases the weight and bulk of the unit considerably. It comes with a backpack that you can use as a carry on (which I've done for one trip) or to contain/protect the bcd in a larger suitcase (which I did for the second trip). The backpack will also hold all of the rest of your gear to carry it from your hotel to the dive shop or boat.

The trim pockets are nice and, so far, I have used them for all my weight (no weight belt ) since I only dive with around 6 or 8 pounds.

It is too expensive, but since I like it it, I don't dwell on that much. FYI, I have the original shoulder straps and have not seen any evidence of failure but I've only used it for 25 dives. Didn't baby it, though. Also, I wrote scubapro and they said I could get the original straps swapped out if I wanted.

Scubapro has a bunch of YouTube videos on it if you want to get more info. The is woefully little info on this bcd's features in the user manual or even online outside of those videos. Even the shop where I purchased it didn't know much about the cooler features. I purchased it because it was in the budget I set, it fit, and it is a full bcd that travels well.

Finally its my first bcd having just rented jacket bcds in the past so take my opinion with the understanding that I don't have a lot to compare it with.

 

[dmaziuk]

I've seen the Vintage Double Hose rigs mentioned multiple times. Not sure I understand what I should look for there. We have normal Apeks regulators/octopus rigs with Din connectors. I assume you're referring to the Argonaut Wings that are sold there.

...

We have 5mm Waterproof suits and I don't see those things fitting into a carry on. I was impressed how in one of the videos, the Scubapro rep fit everything in that backpack INCLUDING a 5mm suit. I don't see that being realistic with ours.

Well, with 5 mm suits you might want wings with 20+-ish lbs lift, so this is moot... But many of us dive in rashguards/shorties and for that 15-18 lbs of lift is enough. In that range there's VDH #18 @$225, Oxycheq #18 @$400, and Apeks D18 @ $365. I guess that may be why VDH ones go out of stock the moment he gets a new batch in.

 

[dmaziuk]

BP/W rigs mentioned so far:

• Freedom Contour plate (multiple sizes) - got multiple votes
• Halcyon BP (2 sizes in SS and AL)
• xDeep Ghost
  
• DSS (once they're back in business)

You may also want look at HOG softpack and Deep 6 Gear package: both complete BP&W setups for around $500.

 

[EireDiver606]

And no, last time in Roatan with 85°F (29°C) water we were both cold, sometimes shivering with our 5mm.

I have dived in 8 degrees in water in a membrane Drysuit (no insulating properties) with no undergarments on underneath (don’t ask me) and without gloves for 30 mins and when I came out it took about 3 hrs to get the feeling back in my hands fully. I HAD to have a hot chocolate and warm for half an hour before I could even have my friend assist me doff the neck seal.....

And your cold in a 5mm in 29 degree centigrade water?!?!?!?!



Need to get that checked out...[/QUOTE]

Why?? You said youself you need 3 hours and hot chocolate to feel your hands again, that means you were not comfortable. Your survived the dive. If I were to plan to dive, especially a lot of dive in a shorter period, I will plan to be comfortable. OP needs 5mm in 85F to be comfortable. Everyone has different cold tolerance.[/QUOTE]
Oh it was on a dry suit course and didn’t have undergarments. Instructor said I’d be grand....

I’m just stating the difference beteeen cold and warm obviously