entry level BCD

[meisburger]

I'd say, give it a try. The rental gear I used sucked, but I was able to buy a basic BC that fit, and had a hard back, in 1998 and still use it. Truthfully, I've never experienced jacket squeeze. Maybe it only happens in cold water? Fit is most important, and smaller is better. Remember, its just a bag.

Tim

 

[JustinW]

I agree that "entry level" is not the way to go. It is the way I went, and while I got good entry level gear (not junk brands) I still ended up upgrading for multiple reasons. If you want to do it, do it right. I do have to disagree with the logic of getting a BP/W because someone didn't like a jacket style BC. There are multiple configurations of BC's out there, and you should stay with something you are comfortable with. I dive a back inflate BC, the Knighthawk. I am a fan of this BC for its characteristics and that it has a donut shaped bladder that doesn't easily trap air. Look for threads on this BC or others like it. My suggestion would be to look for a back inflate with a donut shaped bladder, whether its a backplate style with wings or if it is a back inflate BC. But you could also go with a jacket style if thats what you feel comfortable with.

But it right, buy it once.

 

[Kyzer]

Thanks alot for all your help.... you certainly know how to make folk feel welcome..)

i will take some advice and try out a large array of BCD's and make my mind up from there. was just thinking of getting a cheap one of e-bay to tie me over my learning stage.. just one that would be better than using local hire stuff.

sorry to change the subject a bit but whats the "new Mask on the street" and what do folk recommend?

cheers

 

[JustinW]

I suppose its okay to hijack your own thread. The best mask on the market has got to be the one that fits you best. Doesn't matter what brand, although it should have a silicone skirt of some color and a tempered glass lens.

 

[meisburger]

Justin, in Jakarta, being in the tropics, we don't have Abalone Season, but its always Abalone sandwhich time. Tim

 

[ScubaSarus]

One thing I'll say about a mask is make sure you can pinch your nose easily. I bought the visualator since it has loads of vision only to realize I can barely pinch my nose to equalize.

 

[EuphoriaII]

I dive a back inflate BC, the Knighthawk. I am a fan of this BC for its characteristics and that it has a donut shaped bladder that doesn't easily trap air. Look for threads on this BC or others like it. My suggestion would be to look for a back inflate with a donut shaped bladder, whether its a backplate style with wings or if it is a back inflate BC. But you could also go with a jacket style if thats what you feel comfortable with.

But it right, buy it once.

Ditto. I'm a new diver and I went with the Scubapro Knighthawk (its a back inflate). the only downside to the back inflate style (Or a BP/Wing) is that it tends to send you face down at the surface. But I managed to adjust to it by my 2nd dive in it by moving some of my weight to the non-ditchable trim pockets in the back. It's important to not get overweighted with a backinflate style because you will have to overinflate at the surface (face down). The BP/wing idea sounds OK to me too but I don't think I'm going to feel the need for any kind of upgrade or chaneg from what I have now. It's really comfortabel underwater and easy to maintain a horizontal position or move however needed.

 

[halocline]

Zeagle scout, if you can find one, might be ideal; pretty minimal, well made, and it's doubtful you'd ever regret having it around even if you moved to a BP/wing or larger tech style BC in the future. If you did want to sell it, I bet the resale on those will be very good, so unltimately it might not cost as much as a used el-cheapo....

 

[Jamdiver]

Hey there,

what thoughts do you have on the CRESSI AQUAPRO 5 BCD as have a chance to pick one up pretty cheap but have no info on it?
Can you maybe recommend a BCD if the above is no use. just starting so long road ahead

cheers

Hey Kyzer,

I actually have this BC, so I thought I'd share my thoughs on it. It's a good entry level BC, weight integrated (minimally though, max weight of 6 kg.), has pockets, plenty of straps and bands, 3 dump valves,2 D- rings + other points of attachment for gear, fits well et cetera. The one abnormality/oddity of it as compared to other BC's that I've used is that when putting on a tank, I have to push the tank strap way down the tank to prevent my head from hitting the tank valve while diving.

Quite strange really, anyway I would echo other poster's comments in that I can see myself definitely outgrowing it in a few years.
But as an entry level BC, I feel that it performs quite well (especially when it comes to being neutrally buoyant) and hey it's my first BC so i'm quite partial to it!

If you've got the cash and want a jacket type bc, try the oceanic probe..

 

[toodive4]

Buy good gear once... and you'll never have to buy gear again. Find a Scubapro dealer... buy a $500 BCD and you will stop diving before it stops working. I've sold 10 year old Scubapro BCD's for $150 - $200... getting 10 years of diving out of them and a good return to boot...

Hey there,

what thoughts do you have on the CRESSI AQUAPRO 5 BCD as have a chance to pick one up pretty cheap but have no info on it?
Can you maybe recommend a BCD if the above is no use. just starting so long road ahead

cheers