Hey all, I borrowed my friends chute 3 the other day and loved the thing. I am seriously considering buying it. However I was wondering of anyone has tried both the chute 3 and the excursion. They look pretty similar and I tend to buy the latest model of a product but the excursion is a bit more money. Anyone have a preference?
Chute 3 vs excursion
- Thread starter dcoller
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I currently own a Chute 3, and have been diving it since 2004. When I'm diving with a single tank, I'm using the Chute 3. It has almost 200 dives on it, and barely shows any signs of use. (The tank band is slightly worn at the closure.) This is a heavy-duty BC with 4 nice solid pre-bent D-rings from which to hang stuff. The major drawback is the inflator / deflator mechanism. On several occasions, it has either stuck open while inflating, or not vented properly upon deflating. (Hint: disconnect the low pressure inflator if the button gets stuck, and be prepared to pull the rear dump if the deflator isn't playing nice.) While I have not done so, it would not take a great degree of effort to replace the inflator / deflator with something more reliable.
When I first saw the Excursion earlier this year, my first thought was "What happened to the Chute?!" The Excursion's D-rings are definitely less "manly," and there is some sort of padding added around the neck area. There are some slashes of grey around it, where the Chute is all black. The deployable pocket is also slightly different, but for some reason they still have not brought back the side pocket from the Chute 2 that everyone misses a great deal. It seems like the Excursion may be somewhat lighter than the Chute 3 (the Chute 3 is not a travel-friendly BC, so plan to leave the bulky integrated weight pockets home when you travel with it).
Beyond these minor modifications, it appears to be almost exactly the same back-inflation BC as the Chute 3.
The major difference is, as you pointed out, the price. The Chute 3 is available from about $299. The Excursion is still in the $600 range. (I originally bought my Chute 3 for $625.) It might be "nice" to have the latest available product, but I don't think that extra money is buying you anything beyond what the Chute 3 offers. I dive mainly in Jersey in some of the most challenging conditions, and the Chute 3 has served me well all over the world. I suspect it'll serve you well also.
I have the 45 pound bladder. I'm 5'9", 165 pounds. At most, I use 12 pounds of lead with my 7 mil in freshwater, 18 pounds in saltwater. I use the Chute 3 with aluminum 80s, steel 120s, occasionally an aluminum 30 stage bottle. You may want to do some math to figure out which bladder will work best for you and your diving needs.
Andrew
PS - My initial reaction to your weighting situation is that you're carrying too much. If you were my student, I would re-evaluate your situation and make sure you're properly weighted before basing a bladder purchase on the amount of weight you're currently using. I don't know you, so you may be spot-on, but I did a doubletake when I saw 26 pounds with a 7 mil.
When I first saw the Excursion earlier this year, my first thought was "What happened to the Chute?!" The Excursion's D-rings are definitely less "manly," and there is some sort of padding added around the neck area. There are some slashes of grey around it, where the Chute is all black. The deployable pocket is also slightly different, but for some reason they still have not brought back the side pocket from the Chute 2 that everyone misses a great deal. It seems like the Excursion may be somewhat lighter than the Chute 3 (the Chute 3 is not a travel-friendly BC, so plan to leave the bulky integrated weight pockets home when you travel with it).
Beyond these minor modifications, it appears to be almost exactly the same back-inflation BC as the Chute 3.
The major difference is, as you pointed out, the price. The Chute 3 is available from about $299. The Excursion is still in the $600 range. (I originally bought my Chute 3 for $625.) It might be "nice" to have the latest available product, but I don't think that extra money is buying you anything beyond what the Chute 3 offers. I dive mainly in Jersey in some of the most challenging conditions, and the Chute 3 has served me well all over the world. I suspect it'll serve you well also.
I have the 45 pound bladder. I'm 5'9", 165 pounds. At most, I use 12 pounds of lead with my 7 mil in freshwater, 18 pounds in saltwater. I use the Chute 3 with aluminum 80s, steel 120s, occasionally an aluminum 30 stage bottle. You may want to do some math to figure out which bladder will work best for you and your diving needs.
Andrew
PS - My initial reaction to your weighting situation is that you're carrying too much. If you were my student, I would re-evaluate your situation and make sure you're properly weighted before basing a bladder purchase on the amount of weight you're currently using. I don't know you, so you may be spot-on, but I did a doubletake when I saw 26 pounds with a 7 mil.
I should also add that last month, I bought the Oceanic Islander BC for my Caribbean travel diving this season. It was around $400, and weighs only 6 pounds.
Shop smart, and you can get yourself a "techreactional" BCD like the Chute 3 AND a travel BC like the Islander for about what you'd pay for a new Excursion. Something to keep in mind when you're out there laying down the green.
Andrew
Shop smart, and you can get yourself a "techreactional" BCD like the Chute 3 AND a travel BC like the Islander for about what you'd pay for a new Excursion. Something to keep in mind when you're out there laying down the green.
Andrew
wow, I appreciate the info. As much as I like buying the latest product I have heard nothing but great things about the Chute 3 so since its so much cheaper I think I am going to get it.
FYO regarding my weight, you are probably right that I am carrying too much, I am a big guy, 6'5 and 285lbs (all muscle lol!) but I could probably drop some of the lead. Its alwat the same thing though. I am so excited to get weight that I dont want this dive to be the one I realise I have too little weight and struggle the whole time.
Anyway appreciate the input.
Dan
FYO regarding my weight, you are probably right that I am carrying too much, I am a big guy, 6'5 and 285lbs (all muscle lol!) but I could probably drop some of the lead. Its alwat the same thing though. I am so excited to get weight that I dont want this dive to be the one I realise I have too little weight and struggle the whole time.
Anyway appreciate the input.
Dan
I also think you can't beat the Chute 3 for the price. In your situation, I'd say go with the larger bladder... why not. If you don't need that much lift - don't inflate it.
But having the ability to offer a well made BC with heavy D rings, a changeable bladder in both 45 and 60 lb wings... and all for 299 - it's been a huge seller for us, and we've yet to get one back.
I think you'll be very happy with it.
But having the ability to offer a well made BC with heavy D rings, a changeable bladder in both 45 and 60 lb wings... and all for 299 - it's been a huge seller for us, and we've yet to get one back.
I think you'll be very happy with it.
Let me just add something about this guy Larry who posted...
If you are going to get the Chute, you'd be a little crazy to look further than Scubatoys. I don't know Larry personally, but I have ordered things through scubatoys.com and have been extremely happy with their pricing, selection, fast shipping, and personal customer service. Any time I have had a question about something, Larry has personally responded to my question with a solid, worthwhile answer.
I don't know if it applies to already-discounted items, but they're also rumored to offer some discount or benfit to scubaboard.com members, so you might want to discuss that with them when you call. You really can't go wrong with them.
Andrew
If you are going to get the Chute, you'd be a little crazy to look further than Scubatoys. I don't know Larry personally, but I have ordered things through scubatoys.com and have been extremely happy with their pricing, selection, fast shipping, and personal customer service. Any time I have had a question about something, Larry has personally responded to my question with a solid, worthwhile answer.
I don't know if it applies to already-discounted items, but they're also rumored to offer some discount or benfit to scubaboard.com members, so you might want to discuss that with them when you call. You really can't go wrong with them.
Andrew
Debraw
Contributor
I dove the Chute 3 for a year and recently went to the new Excursion. I did not like the pockets on the Chute 3 because it was split and it was very hard to put 5 pound soft weights in it. The Excursion is much easier to load. It's true the velcro pockets are gone that are right behind the weight pouches but that's ok with me because I was always worried about swimming straight down and losing something out of that pocket. I never did but I didn't like it. I like the zippered pockets now and I find them much easier to access. The comfort of the neck padding is very nice, and the D-rings ( manly? what makes them womanly? ) are as functional as ever. I went with the smaller bladder on the Excursion. It does everything I need it to do even when I am wearing a dry suit, up to 30 pounds of weight and a steel tank. There is a nice handle in the back of it to carry it around. PM me if you need some more details.
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