Dry Back-Inflate BC?

[Grajan]

If you are mainly diving warm water with a thin wetsuit the Seaquest Balance might be an ideal solution.

It is back inflate, very comfortable harness, good integrated weights and simpler than your current selections.

Very happy with mine (only a few dives mind you).

Graham

 

[GrantInOz]

I agree, choose the SeaQuest Balance.

I've done about 15 dives in one - very good - back inflate, minimilist at the front and reasonably light.

Grant

 

[thethumper]

IMHO the SeaQuest isn't bad, but I still perfer my TP II. It's versitile, very unrestrictive & relitively light weight.

The nice thing about the TP II is that you have your basic harness w/a adjustable/removable lumbar pad. You can buy one w/Travel wings (nice for schlepping around) or w/Treck wings & as you progress, you can change the wings as needed. Most come w/IW pockets. Some people don't like velcro closures, but I really dislike the Zegal "Rip cords". If you do buy a BI big, consider a crotch strap....as S&M as it sounds, it makes a big difference in comfort.

As I said this is just MHO.

David
If you're going to dive, DiveRITE

 

[BillAllbritten]

light for travel, not too much lift for tropics - take a look at the Zeagle Escape, similar in design to the Ranger but single tank only and constructed out of much lighter material, 24lb lift wing available (35 standard), the 24lb is what I use with either a .5mm/12lbs or so or 3mm/16lbs or so. It folds up to a package not much larger than a thick book. The Ranger will fold surprisingly compact, too. Remember those soft backpacks can be folded over.

I've never dove with a BP/wings, those that have suggest an AL Bp with a(n) 18 or 27lb Halcyon Explorer wing travels well.

Extreme Exposure will send you a Halcyon BP/wing setup on 30 day trial, money back minus shipping if you don't keep it. Oops, your in Thailand, not sure that will work :-(

Good luck

Bill

 

[ckharlan66]

All I can add to this discussion is the BC choice is a very personnal decision. What one person loves someone else hates. I strongly recommend trying whatever you can in a pool first and decide what you like best.

That being said I like back inflate better. I find it to be more streamlined than a jacket.

I think it is good to have people in the pool during class in different setups so that the students can be exposed to the different options available to them when they start shopping for gear.

Just my opinion. Good luck in your shopping.

Chad

 

[superhelix]

Well,

Based not on subscribing to DIR but simply because after all the research I did a lot of things pointed to getting a BP/W, including:

- ease for traveling
- durability
- adjustability
- modularity
- can get down to about 6# on my Halcyon ACB+ system
- overall great reviews on these boards
- light

Just ordered from EE - open on Saturdays, Douglas kindly offered to assemble the rig in advance, and they ship to Czech!

- 27 lbs Pioneer MC System with stainless steel backplate 1x $505
- Active Control Ballast+ 1x $118
- Small Diver's Alert Marker 1x $48
- Knife Pocket 1x $14
- 3.75" Stainless steel bolt snap, .75" eyelet 2x $8

Holding off on the hose kit... gonna buck the trend and dive it with traditional reg setup...at least for now!

A very big thank you to all of you who contributed to this tomfoolery! Will be sure to post my experiences going STRAIGHT to BP/W.

 

[ckharlan66]

I hope you enjoy the new rig and I think you will


Chad

 

[detroit diver]

You're almost there, Superhelix. Just a few more steps to complete your transformation When you go to bed tonite, repeat "The long hose is good. I need the long hose". It will sink in...

Today the equipment, tomorrow the mindset.

Seriously, I think you've made an excellent choice that will pay for itself many times over. Enjoy!

superhelix once bubbled...
Well,

Based not on subscribing to DIR but simply because after all the research I did a lot of things pointed to getting a BP/W, including:

- ease for traveling
- durability
- adjustability
- modularity
- can get down to about 6# on my Halcyon ACB+ system
- overall great reviews on these boards
- light

Just ordered from EE - open on Saturdays, Douglas kindly offered to assemble the rig in advance, and they ship to Czech!

- 27 lbs Pioneer MC System with stainless steel backplate 1x $505
- Active Control Ballast+ 1x $118
- Small Diver's Alert Marker 1x $48
- Knife Pocket 1x $14
- 3.75" Stainless steel bolt snap, .75" eyelet 2x $8

Holding off on the hose kit... gonna buck the trend and dive it with traditional reg setup...at least for now!

A very big thank you to all of you who contributed to this tomfoolery! Will be sure to post my experiences going STRAIGHT to BP/W.