Does anyone know the a cheap but efficiant brand bc???

[ScubaSteve2003]

Is there anyone who can help me find a BC that is inexpensive yet very efficient and safe??? Hope so!

 

[TwoBitTxn]

Chris you really need to define inexpensive. What is your price range?

Cost really shouldn't be a primary factor. If you can't afford one keep renting and trying out a variety of BC's until you find one (or two or three) that you really like then save your $$ until you can afford it.

As an Ex-EMT I'll tell you an old axiom I used to tell motorcyclists.... The price and quality of the helmet you wear directly reflects the value you place in your skull.

As goes for any life support equipment.

Tom

 

[Tavi]

I was thinking along the same lines as Tom. Doesn't the phrase [red]"Cheap Life Support"[/red] sound a little strange? Rent until you can buy Quality equipment.

Tavi

 

[TexasMike]

Strong agreement with above.

A really good BC can be purchased in the $350-450 range. And remember that if you buy a quality BC now, you won't be buying another later because you either don't like it, wear it out, or grow beyond it's capabilities (such as tech diving).

If having all of the money at once is a concern, investigate your LDS's lay-away plan. Almost all of the major dive shops in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area that I have visited have informed me that their plan allows me to pay a bit at a time and allow me to use the item I am purchasing as long as I returned it back to the shop when I am done.



Here is a repeat of some of my earlier comments about buying a BC (plus a plug for the Zeagle Ranger BC [why do I hear Zagnut giggling in the background? ]):

• I dive and highly recommend the Zeagle Ranger. And before I tell you why, let me give you some pointers in selecting a BC.
  
  First, no matter what manufacturer or model you select, your primary goal is comfort! If your BC is too small or too big, you will always be fidgeting with it and not enjoy the dive. You want your BC to fit you in such a way that when you are in the water, it literally dissapears and you forget it's there.
  
  Second, you need to decide if you want a weight integration or not. Wieght integration allows you to carry some or all of your weight in special pockets on the BC. And the designers have put some thought into the location of these pockets so that they assist in providing the optimum "trim" with regards to your center of gravity so you are in the correct swimming position.
  
  Third, decide on back or vest inflation. [red]Vest inflation[/red] has the bladder coming around the front like a life jacket and will provide you a positive feedback as to the volume of air by squeezing your middle. [red]Back inflation[/red] has the bladder "wrapping" up around the tank. The benefits of this one is that it is more hydrodymanic (similar to aerodynamic), the bladders can be switched out when more lift is required, and you don't get squeezed like a toothpaste tube when fully inflated.
  
  Fourth, and probably most important, decide on what level of diving you will be doing both now and 3-4 years in the future. The life expectancy of a well maintained BC is more than 10 years, so choosing a BC can be compared to choosing a motor vehicle. Are you going to always be driving on the highways with a car(recreational diving) or do "off-road" or "work" with a truck (technical diving). Tehnical diving includes doing anything in an overhead environment (such as entering ship wrecks, caverns, and caves) and requires a different configuration. So if you desire to do any tech diving, then the recreational BC's should be passed up.
  
  Now that you have some good tips on selecting your BC, let me tell you why the Zeagle Ranger should be one that you really need to look at.
  • 
    
    [red]Fit [/red]-- The Ranger can be easily customized to fit your body, whether your a round person or a stick person. All parts of the harness and bladder are interchangeable. So if you have wide shoulders, long torso, and a narrow waist, the correct components can be obtained to provide a custom fit. The bladder can also be changed to one that provides additional lift.
    
    [red]Rec or Tech?[/red] -- The Ranger is one of the best BC's to carry you through any recreational dive through to moderate technical diving. It can be setup for double tanks and has plenty of attachment points for gear.
    
    [red]Back Inflation & Weight Integration[/red] -- The Ranger is classified as a back inflation BC. As such, I have found it to require a bit less effort to swim than the vest BC's I used during my o/w training and overseas dive trip. And it's nice not to be squeezed like toothpast. (Regarding floating on surface and face planting. Not all users experience this. I have absolutely no problem with the Ranger doing this, and besides, you want to be under the water, not floating on top! When the Ranger is properly weight trimmed, face planting is minimized). The weights fit easily into the side pockets and Zeagle even makes a nice weight pouch that slides right into the weight pockets.
  
  The Ranger is a bit more than some other BC's, but it has been getting great reviews both in the magazines and on the street. Many of the contributors to this board dive the Ranger and love it as much as I do. So I encourage you to consider it.
  
  One more good tip: If you can, try to borrow the BC's you are considering and do at least a pool dive with them. Trying them on in the store over street clothes won't tell you as much as getting them wet will.
  
  
  And if you have anymore questions, feel free to ask!!!

 

[Diver806]

Chris,

I have to agree with the above statements on a BCD…..Cheap is not the way to go. There are several brands today that offer a very good price for an outstanding BCD. One of these is the Dive Rite Transpac II. I dive this BCD very hard, when I am instructing, fun diving or technical diving. The price is reasonable…around $550.00 and the quality is outstanding. It also offers different bladder sizes and the ability to adapt and become a twin set up.

Hope this helps!

Chris

 

[Tavi]

I Dive the Transpac II also. It is a great BC for all of the same reasons that Texas Mike likes the Zeagle. IMHO I think it's a little more versitile.Lots of options!

Tavi

 

[TexasMike]

I'll go on record to say that once I graduate to more technical diving, I will probably be in a TransPac. Having set both side by side and done my own non-dive comparison, I can see where Dive Rite would pick up handily where the Ranger would come up short.

 

[herman]

Chris,

Lets see if I can stir up this hornets nest again (done this once before long ago). As an alternative to a new cheap, low quality BC, why not look into a good quality used BC? Now, I am not suggesting that you get a worn out rental but there are good deals to be had on little used, quality gear. Quality scuba equipment will last many years if taken care of...my old BC is a mid 80's vintage and except for some cosmetic damage, still in safe diveable condition and to be honest, the only real reason I replaced it was I just wanted a new one.. There are people who get into scuba, buy a lot of gear and then get out for whatever reason, this gear can be a great deal. Last summer I purchased a Scubapro reg, Genesis comp, an Oceanic BC and a bunch of other sruff for $700, per the computer, the gear had 3 dives on it. I only wanted the reg and I have since sold the stuff I did not want and ended up with about $200 in the reg/comp. I would highly suggest that if you do look at used gear, have it checked/serviced by a shop before you use it or better yet, before you buy it. A final suggestion is to check around the dive shops and look for deals on "last years models", sometimes shops have a earlier model that they will really deal on.

 

[ScubaSteve2003]

Ok,

I want to thank all of you for your help i really appreciate it. I have also done some thinking and some research. I am most likely not gonna buy used gear. And I will not buy a cheap BC. I will buy qaulity gear no matter what the price is lol. Thanks again guys and girls!! This is a great place for help! Well ill be back!! Have a good day and a great dive!

 

[donooo]

Instead of looking for "good cheap" I look for the best deal possible on the model I want. Sometimes it takes a little more work, but you shouldn't get scared off by the first look at retail or your LDS.

Sales, internet, used, display or even seconds (cosmetic problems)

Shop hard and buy good. I went Transpac II for $500, a little more then your "good cheap" at $450.

good luck don O