overexposed2X:
It seems to me that there are many people that dislike being told that BCD's - jackets and back inflate devices are not good. Many people can't stand being told that there is a better way of buoyancy control than the system that they have come to know. True?
Not true.
People dislike being told the the BP/W is better because it's extremely subjective, and, frankly, smacks of a fad. Many people would find a BC more physically comfortable on the shoulders and back, just as easy or easier to trim depending on the model, more utilitarian due to intergrated weight systems and pocket options. I doubt many will debate that a stab jacket rides better on the surface.
The BP/W forces difficult decisions on weighting and accessory pockets.
Weight belts truly suck, but not as much as ACBs.
Also, people who are perfectly satisfied with their BCs don't know why they should run out and spend 6-800 bucks on something you insist but can't justify that they need. The vast majority of divers will never dive doubles.
overexposed2X:
Most of the people that are quick to state that you should use a BP/wing are doing so because they have experienced all different types of BCD's, wasted a lot of money, got frustrated and then finally decided to try a wing. They finally found the right system for diving and then try to inform others to keep them from making the same mistakes. Why would we wish a person to suffer in the same way as ourselves?
I'd say they should learn what a good BC is, and how to dive one.
This BC, for $349, will spank the pants off a BP/W (and most BCs) for just about any single tank dive:
http://makeashorterlink.com/?M2DD528D9
It has the best intergrated weight system I've seen, and has great pockets.
The price speaks for itself.
overexposed2X:
My question to those of you who don't dive a BP/W is: Have you ever tried one?
I've offered to ship mine to Australia for someone to try. But the problem is, you don't find them under trees, and many LDSs dis them from ignorance or lack of inventory. I suspect many people had poorly designed and ill-fitting BC, and the dig their new BP/W because it's shiny and new. What "real" divers use <snicker>.
overexposed2X:
So please, honestly and objectively tell me why you don't like a BP/W. I hope it's one based on direct knowledge and not hearsay.
I have 400 dives on BCs and 600 on BP/W. The only reason the BC got surveyed was because after trying Halcyon, Scubapro and Diverite wings, I took the wing off my BC because I liked it better.
But the weight belt, long hose and crotch strap are simply unneccesary for a lot of diving, and it's nice to have intergrated weights and QR shoulder straps once in a while.
who's got 1000's of dives under his "very experienced" belt extolling the virtues of split fins and a $600.00 ScubaPro Classic bc. When in reality, all his experience comes from doing 40' sessions of watching students sit on their knees and remove and replace their masks.
