Choosing the right BCD for me

[bubbzilla]

I am a recreational diver with a little over 50 dives in the past few years. Most of my dives are on vacation (Mexico, Bahamas, etc.) just for fun. I occasionally help a friend as an assistant instructor in some more... frigid waters (ie. with a dry suit).

I've been slowly accumulating dive gear over the years and a BCD is the next piece of the puzzle.

I have used quite a few different BCDs and I've noticed a few features that I like. I'm hoping that someone can guide me in the direction of a BCD that has all (or most of) these features.

• I much prefer when the air pockets are integrated in the vest instead of on the back like wings because I can feel the air pressure in the BCD and use it as a gauge for my buoyancy.

• I really like having release valves on the lower back and shoulder. For the shoulder, I prefer a pull cord as opposed to a valve that opens when the inflator hose is pulled (I'm always worried I will pull the inflator hose off). The lower back valve is a must for me.

• Less important, a comfortable plastic handle (to lift the BCD) behind the tank would be nice. I've encountered a few that are really awful and cut into my hand. Nylon handles also work but not as well as a really good plastic one.

• As for integrated weight pockets, I would like if they lock in with a satisfying click (I always worry that I will not put them in all the way and they will fall out and disappear). Being easy to click in is also preferred.

• A decent number of D-rings on the shoulder straps is also preferred.

• An Air-2 (or something equivalent) would also be nice, especially if it saves money for an octopus that I would otherwise need.

I'm looking to spend between $300 and $700 (or more if that's what it takes to get the right one for me).

I've heard that BP/W systems are often preferred. Are there models that have vest type air pockets?

Any advice would be great; Thanks in advance.

 

[ladyfishdvr]

It's nice to have a list of what you want but the most important part is the fit. I tried on a few BCD's when shopping and found one that had everything I wanted but the fit was awful for me. I went with one that fit me better. I like the scubapro I bought but it could use more d rings in better places. The weights are integrated but make it difficult for the pockets to be used for much. Mine is a Bella which is made for women, and since I happen to be one that works. It was last years model so I got a great deal at the LDS. It has the air2 which I like. I had dived in a rental version prior to the purchase. I am considering a BP/W for the future but want to test dive one first.

Whatever you get make sure it fits well and is comfortable.

 

[victorzamora]

I've heard that BP/W systems are often preferred. Are there models that have vest type air pockets?

Nope. The main reason they're preferred is they don't have the bulky lift around your ribs. The lift is on your back, which is more stable in proper trim. The harness is barely on the front, so nothing is really in your way. There are no weight pockets to fail/break. There are no unnecessary bells/whistles. This all provides the cleanest, most stable setup possible for backmount. Also, buoyancy and squeeze have little correlation. You should be able to determine your buoyancy based off of your ears/eyes rather than your rib cage. A squeeze on your ribs means the jacket is inflated. Whether or not you're positive or negative doesn't technically correlate. For example: I strap 100,000 pounds of lead to you. You inflate your BCD ALL the way. The squeeze even hurts....you're negative. You deflate it all the way, it's about to fall off of you....you're still negative.

I'm not trying to talk you out of a jacket, or into a BPW.....I'm just explaining things. I understand what you meant. If you're neutral and you ascend, the jacket will squeeze you, reminding you that you need to release air. It's good that you know what you want. Some people simply don't like a BPW. However, have you ever tried one?

An Air-2 (or something equivalent) would also be nice, especially if it saves money for an octopus that I would otherwise need.

To do this, you pretty much need your own regs. An Air2 costs as much or more than a normal octo, with reduced performance and increased complexity. All it does that is positive is that it reduces the number of hoses by 1.

A decent number of D-rings on the shoulder straps is also preferred.

It's funny you mention this. Most tech divers only have one d-ring per shoulder. Some training agencies SERIOUSLY discourage (read: prohibit) the use of more than one.

I am a recreational diver with a little over 50 dives in the past few years. Most of my dives are on vacation

Not to be rude, but why do you feel you need a BCD? Most dive sites like that charge a VERY small fee for gear rental, and normal the only discount is if you have ALL of your own gear. Travelling with a ton of dive gear is a pain. I honestly dislike it. Even though I own at least two FULL sets of everything needed, I'm planning a trip later this year and tempted not to take any of it. I've been diving for over 12 years (certified over 9) and just purchased my first "real" piece of dive gear (not mask/snorkel/fins) last February (nearly 8 years after I got certified). I had no regrets in not buying dive gear then. I have no regrets in buying dive gear now. Just make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. If safety/comfort is reason enough to buy your own....that's fine, and I understand. I just think you should evaluate it first.

 

[beaverdivers]

Not to be rude, but why do you feel you need a BCD? Most dive sites like that charge a VERY small fee for gear rental, and normal the only discount is if you have ALL of your own gear. Travelling with a ton of dive gear is a pain. I honestly dislike it. Even though I own at least two FULL sets of everything needed, I'm planning a trip later this year and tempted not to take any of it. I've been diving for over 12 years (certified over 9) and just purchased my first "real" piece of dive gear (not mask/snorkel/fins) last February (nearly 8 years after I got certified). I had no regrets in not buying dive gear then. I have no regrets in buying dive gear now. Just make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. If safety/comfort is reason enough to buy your own....that's fine, and I understand. I just think you should evaluate it first.

I just tried using the " Free " B.C. on Siren fleet vessel. What a mistake. I never believed that having your own B.C. could be so important. I tried two different ones, a large & a medium. The medium front adjustable jacket B.C. would keep shifting around no matter how snug I had it. I have never had this problem with Scubapro B.C.'s. I had just being diving the new Scubapro GO B.C. in Turks & Caicos for the first time. It fit like a glove. No shifting. The " Free " B.C. was a low end Sea Quest; I was really suprised by its poor performance since Sea Quest makes some excellent B.C.'s. I definately should have carried the extra 2 kilos and had my own B.C. Never again will I make that mistake!

As far as B.C. recommendations, I strongly feel the new Scubapro Glide X with an AIR 2 is perfect to suit your criteria. It provides the exclusive Scubapro wrap-around air bladder that does NOT squeeze you, period! You will be able to adjust it for both warm & cold water diving. The integraded weight system is a very easy to release but it does click in so it is secure. Yes, it has a shoulder pull cord and back dump.

 

[TSandM]

I have to say that I disagree with victorzamora -- I own all my own gear, and take it with me everywhere. I like knowing that everything I am using is totally familiar to me, and that I have dived it recently and know it is all in good working order.

I don't have a recommendation for you, because I personally loathe jacket BCs. But I did find one comment interesting, that you control your buoyancy by feeling the jacket squeezing around you. If you are properly weighted, you should only have enough air in the BC to compensate for the gas you are going to breathe out into the water (usually around 5 lbs), and the compression of your exposure protection (which in the tropics, is very little). So what that means is that a properly weighted diver, in warm water or with a dry suit, will have very little gas in his BC at depth. Since air goes to the highest point, it will all be in the back portion of the BC, and none of it in the part that wraps around the front of the diver. If you are feeling "squeeze" from your BC at depth, you are very probably overweighted. (Note that this may not be true with a low lift BC and a cold water wetsuit, where the compensatory gas at depth may be quite a bit more.)

 

[victorzamora]

Let me clarify, the trip will be my honeymoon and I doubt I'll be doing more than 2 dives. I carry all of my own gear when I know I'll be diving (and even when I'm HOPING to go diving).

However, "50 dives in the last few years" is what I was questioning. 50 dives means really about 40. I'm assuming your logbook is complete, but that you had your 4 cert dives plus a few immediately afterwards. Most people grossly exagerate their diving experience. I had a buddy that swore up and down to over 200 dives.....he was under 50 total. I'm not accusing you of this, I'm just making not that I'm using a pretty reasonable number. I'm also translating "last few years" to be somewhere between 3-5 years. That's 8-13 dives per year. I'm assuming most of those are shallow reef dives. It's just not worth <$1000 to me (plus ~$150 a year) to do ~10 dives a year. Even at 50 dives over 3 years (the cheapest)....that's $30 a dive in just gear purchase/maintenance cost, and that's a lower purchase cost. It could be as high as ~$45 per dive.

Now, like I said....if that's worth it to you, then great! If not, it's at least something you should think about.


Lynne, I'm glad you disagree with me. I'd be worried if you didn't. However, your diving and my diving are different than the diving we're being asked about. So just to recap: I'm not saying DON'T....I'm just advocating thought. You need a "why" for every "what."

 

[ladyfishdvr]

. But I did find one comment interesting, that you control your buoyancy by feeling the jacket squeezing around you. If you are properly weighted, you should only have enough air in the BC to compensate for the gas you are going to breathe out into the water (usually around 5 lbs), and the compression of your exposure protection (which in the tropics, is very little). So what that means is that a properly weighted diver, in warm water or with a dry suit, will have very little gas in his BC at depth. Since air goes to the highest point, it will all be in the back portion of the BC, and none of it in the part that wraps around the front of the diver.

I agree with this. I have a wrap around and even in what most people consider colder water I don't feel that at all. The only time I feel the wrap around part is when I am on the surface and have it inflated and am bobbing on the surface, which is not too often. At depth there is not very much air at all and I'm diving a 5 mil wetsuit with 7 mil hooded vest.

I have just started diving and have had some bad experiences with rental equipment. I prefer to have my own, which I know is well maintained and working properly. It's my hobby and I can afford it.

 

[TSandM]

Well, it's an interesting conundrum . . . if you do very few dives a year, it may not make financial sense to have your own equipment. On the other hand, if you do very few dives a year, it might be even MORE important to have the equipment be familiar to you, since you're not going to be practiced enough to be good at adapting.

I don't think I would ever discourage someone from owning their own equipment, unless doing so prevented them from getting more diving experience or more training. Who knows? Maybe owning his own equipment will encourage the OP to find out what his local diving options are.

 

[phoenix31tt]

agreed with these guys....

even when i was doing OW and I was a little bit overweighted i didnt feel the "squeeze" unless i was at the surface and needed more air in my bc to relax.

feeling the squeeze in a bc should not in normal circumstances be used to determine your buoyancy..

now regarding your BC recommendations the only one i have used alot and could recommend is the mares dragon which while being a "hybrid" rear inflate + jacket it will suit all your other needs nicely

 

[bubbzilla]

Thanks for the advice. I'm leaning towards the Scubapro Glide Pro with an Air2.

Just to clarify, I do a couple days of diving a year at a local lake with a dry suit for training and such.
I usually go on a scuba trip every year and it is usually on a liveaboard for a week doing up to 4 dives per day depending on the weather.
The motivation to buy a BCD now is a 2 week trip to Indonesia in August where ill do about 25 dives if the weathers nice enough.
I also shadow instructors time to time in pools (I'm slowly working towards instructor cert.)
My rentals over the years have stacked up to close to $1000 so it would be nice to put a cap on that.

Any other advice or recommendations would be great.