Comments on this BCD would be appreciated!

[scuba newbie]

Hello all!! I was to hoping to get opinions and comments about the Sherwood Avid BCD. Any Pros or Cons about this BCD? Is there a BCD in the same price range that I should consider?. I've been researching other vests but am leaning towards this one. Thanks for the input.

 

[MrConclusion]

Check out the Zeagle "Ranger" or "Escape." They have a unique weight ditching system that gets a bad rap, but it actually works well. The ranger is heavy duty and the Escape is similar but lightweight, one of the best travelling BCs for being light and foldable but still comfortable, in my opinion. I use Scubapro, but my brother (usually my dive buddy) is a big Zeagle fan.

 

[EricJ]

I began using the Sherwood Avid BC about eight months ago, and I really like it. The CQR weight system securely holds your weights, yet they are easy to ditch in an emergency (or when diving from a tender and you need to pass up your weights). The weights clip on securely to the vest; when the release handles are pulled, the clips unfasten and the weights come out very smoothly. My previous BC used a velcro system that never felt secure, and I actually had a weight pouch fall out once while diving.

It would be difficult for someone to fasten the weight pouches on their own after the BC was on, but I've never felt a need to gear up that way.

I don't recall the BC's "lift," but I feel like it holds me high and upright on the surface when fully inflated.

I've never worn a back inflation BC, but I also have never noticed the "squeeze" effect I've heard people complain about. However, I rarely have much if any air in my BC while at depth.

I feel streamlined and am easily able to keep a horizontal position while wearing the Avid, even when partially inflated.

On dives where I've had to wait in the water to be picked up, I've enjoyed being able to get up high and upright on the surface.

One of these days, I'd like to try a back-inflation BC; but I'm happy with the vest, and I really like the Avid.

My opinion in a nutshell: The Sherwood Avid is a GREAT vest-style BC for the recreational diver. Then again, I've only worn three or four different types of BC's.

 

[EricJ]

Oh, yeah...I like the fact that the Avid has two tank bands. When I was shopping around, it seemed like the others in its price range had just one band.

 

[scuba newbie]

Thanks for the good info...nice detail EricJ...just curious but what reg do you use? Do you ever dive in cold water or just warm?

 

[EricJ]

I use the Zeagle Envoy Deluxe regulator (lists just under $300). It has an adjustable air flow knob that I keep set in the middle. I notice little difference when tightening or loosening this knob.

It has a surface and depth mode which I have found useful. Turning it on surface mode prevents free flowing. It free flowed once on while on the surface, and I simply switched the lever to surface mode and it stopped.

I use this reg in cold and warm water and at a variety of depths. The coldest water I dive is 55 Fahrenheit.

My wife uses a cheaper Genesis reg. I've breathed off of hers, and I couldn't tell much of a difference.

Keep asking people what they use and what they like and dislike about their equipment if you're in the market to buy. I'm just a recreational diver, but I will offer the following advice: don't buy a cheap regulator, but spending much more over $300 isn't probably necessary either.

 

[roakey]

search->advanced search

Type in "Avid" (minus the quotes) as the keyword and limit the search to this forum.

There are already 79 (well, now 80) topics on the Avid on this board already.

Roak

 

[MoonWrasse]

There was a recall last year of that model. The inflator valve was capable of getting stuck, with risk the BCD would inflate and you could find yourself headed to the surface in a hurry (not good).

http://www.cdnn.info/recall/genesis_sherwood_040216/genesis_sherwood_040216.html

Make sure it's been fixed in the one you buy, for certain if you're buying a used one.

 

[Splitlip]

Check out the Zeagle "Ranger" or "Escape." They have a unique weight ditching system that gets a bad rap, but it actually works well. The ranger is heavy duty and the Escape is similar but lightweight, one of the best travelling BCs for being light and foldable but still comfortable, in my opinion. I use Scubapro, but my brother (usually my dive buddy) is a big Zeagle fan.

The Stiletto is Zeagle's new BC with a compact 35# bladder and trim harness. The bad rap on the wight ditching is by the uninformed and undeserved. The Zeagle ripcord weight ditching system is for emergencies and works with one pull. If I ever have to dump my weights or have some one do it for me, I am probably done for the day anyway. So the 5 minutes needed to re thread the ripcord is not an issue.
Having just shopped for a new BC (and settling on Stiletto), I understand why the Zeagle gets the rap for it's ditching system. Many people, including LDS staff unfamilliar with Zeagle, think the ripcord has to be used every time the weights are loaded or unloaded. This is not the case. Weights are loaded and unloaded throught the tops of zippered pockets. This is easier than the RDS system I had on my last BC.
s.

 

[Splitlip]

Did not expect my previous post to show up under MoonWrasse' post about a Genesis recall.
Don't want give the impression there was a recall on the Stiletto.