Dive gear - Jacket BCD or BP/W for a beginner?

[paedur5]

Hi All,
I'm new to diving - passed my PADI OW about two years ago and have dived on a two-day trip since then (four dives - last month)

While I am happy to rent for now, I'm thinking ahead to when I buy some gear namely BC and reg set.

I've done a little bit of reading about DIR and the BP/W gear and I like the sound of it. The fact that it is so streamlined and adjustable to different skills and dive types. I understand that it is able to 'grow' with the user (in both size as middle age creeps up and style of diving)

My question is this - as a recreational, warm water diver is it a good idea for my first purchase to be a BP/W rig? Do I need any training now beyond my current OW to use it? Is it a 'good' purchase?
I see the cost of an average jacket BCD is about half that of a Halcyon Eclipse

I do plan to eventually advance my skill levels with training but for the meantime I'm happy to just get some dives in and get comfortable with things. I'm not wanting/needing to do any tech diving anytime soon and a single tank is fine for me. Is a BP/W rig a bit OTT?

So far my gear is a 2/3mm wetsuit, mask and snorkel, weight belt and weights. I was given a 15yr old US Diver reg set and BCD which are in the shop now being inspected. I'm hoping the reg set can still be used but I expect the BCD to be beyond repair.
I'm in Hong Kong and plan to only dive in warm water.



Thanks for your help.

Paedur

 

[Jim Lapenta]

A BPW is not over the top for a new diver and there are much more affordable rigs than the Halcyon which will do exactly the same job and are as of good quality. You pay a premium for the blue H logo.

 

[Selchie in LB]

I second Jim's comment. Since getting my OW I have swapped out my whole setup. I went from a typical BCD to a DiveRite set up. You will get several opinions on which setup to go with. I kept hearing "What kind of diving will be doing?" As a noobie I couldn't really answer that question. I now can say pretty much recreational with some wrecks since we have some nice ones around So Cal. I am not planning on going into wrecks or caves. I am a cold water diver, though if I ever make enough money warm water dives are appealing!

I went "DIR" because the system approach and consistency appealed to me. I doubt i will ever get into doubles (but never say never.) It is very streamlined and my bouyancy and trim improved the first dive I did with a BP/W setup. Halcyon is but one name in BP/W gear. You can spend as much as you want on gear. What matters is are you comfortable with the gear.

Good Luck

 

[boulderjohn]

Other sources for BP/W include Hollis, HOG, Zeagle, DSS, Apex....

 

[rongoodman]

You should be fine--go for it.

 

[mainedvr]

go with bpw first if you think that is what you want to do....I am switching and wish I would have been privy to this set up in the beginning. If you decide to buy a regular bc...I have two for sale....

Hi All,
I'm new to diving - passed my PADI OW about two years ago and have dived on a two-day trip since then (four dives - last month)

While I am happy to rent for now, I'm thinking ahead to when I buy some gear namely BC and reg set.

I've done a little bit of reading about DIR and the BP/W gear and I like the sound of it. The fact that it is so streamlined and adjustable to different skills and dive types. I understand that it is able to 'grow' with the user (in both size as middle age creeps up and style of diving)

My question is this - as a recreational, warm water diver is it a good idea for my first purchase to be a BP/W rig? Do I need any training now beyond my current OW to use it? Is it a 'good' purchase?
I see the cost of an average jacket BCD is about half that of a Halcyon Eclipse

I do plan to eventually advance my skill levels with training but for the meantime I'm happy to just get some dives in and get comfortable with things. I'm not wanting/needing to do any tech diving anytime soon and a single tank is fine for me. Is a BP/W rig a bit OTT?

So far my gear is a 2/3mm wetsuit, mask and snorkel, weight belt and weights. I was given a 15yr old US Diver reg set and BCD which are in the shop now being inspected. I'm hoping the reg set can still be used but I expect the BCD to be beyond repair.
I'm in Hong Kong and plan to only dive in warm water.



Thanks for your help.

Paedur

 

[boulderjohn]

The post in which I named other brands of BP/W probably implied it, but I realize that I did not say that if you intend to dive a BP/W in the future, it is silly to buy something else now. Whatever a BP/W might cost you now, it costs a whole lot less than buying something else you don't really want before buying it. There is nothing magic or advanced about the BP/W--advanced divers do use it, but not because it is particularly more difficult to use.

 

[Robjames112]

I trained at a former tech diving centre (now rec/tech) and only trained on Halcyon single wings. I did some additional pool time with another class after getting certified and used a vest and hated it. I just found it cumbersome.

 

[paedur5]

Thanks for the quick replies!

I'm having a look at the websites of the few dive shops here in Hong Kong and Halcyon is well stocked but I can't seem to find the other brands mentioned. I'm thinking that a finding a local stockist is important for after sales and repair/inspection.

Am I right in thinking that a BP/W will not require any training before use? (besides how to strap in a tank and fitting)

 

[Robjames112]

No extra certification. But I'd go shallow and get used to it, there are fitting changes and bounancy issues you will need to adjust to.