entry level BCD

[Stu S.]

Hey Kizer... I needed to rent a BC last year while I was trying to get my old one repaired. The local shop rented me a new Cressi Aquapo 5 BC, and it was quite good. I would dive with one any day. The store wanted too much for it, so I bought another brand. I have seen the Cressi advertised at LP, and it is certainly worth the money.

Your choice of equipment will depend on where you live. Here in Florida, the cave divers with double tanks get the backplate/wings. We spring and ocean divers typically use a BC, as we don't need a thick suit and the corresponding weights, and we use one cylinder. The Zeagle Ranger is the Florida BC of choice, for those who have the money. That Cressi is as good or better than what most people use around here. Unless you are planning some heavy duty dives, go for it. Have fun and enjoy diving.

 

[Mandy3206]

It makes sense to buy good used gear if you're on budget, check out soon to be married guys, and guys that bought gear last season and decided diving isn't for them. When I started diving I used this system and bought 3 gear sets (mine, my daughters and my girlfriend) for the price of 1 new set of gear.
Later as we progressed in the sport, we upgraded and sold some of the old gear, and still have some for spare.
Now I got my BP/W, a Trans Pack (soft pack BC) and still have my old Cressi Aquapro 4 (the one bought used from a marrying man).
Of course, if you can, skip all the steps and buy the BP/W setup, if you're hardcore, you may end up there anyway.

As for the mask, buy the one that fits you best, just try to get the lowest profile mask that fits you in order for it to be easier to clear.

If you're like most hardcore divers, you're just starting to buy gear, and you'll probably buy tons of gear and use it once and keep it just in case.

I got probably 3 sets of gear that fit me well, not to count my daughters and girlfriend sets (only one each), all this gear has acumulated over a 12 yr period of time and it keeps on piling.

Get you basic gear (mask, fins, snorkel, booties, gloves, wetsuit, knife) of good quality and if posible brand new, after some experience, look for the BC, Regs, Computer, and maybe some tanks.
Before you know it, you'll have a room full of gear and would be able to loan some gear to your friends.

 

[lof]

Let me know if you need any help selecting a BP/wing combination. We carry number of preconfigured packages that will compete in price with any jacket BC. We can also custom build a BP/wing combnination to your liking.

 

[ScubaMike05]

Hey all. A fellow student was nice enough to lend me his Zeagle Brigade during my scuba class tonight.

Though the BC i used was a small (i wear a Medium) but not bad for a free trial Anyways, I can see how people like these suckers cuz it was definately comfortable underwater.

Now, on the surface, that's where we had problems. Unfortunately, I didn't have the opportunity to readjust the integrated weights. So it took some getting used to.

 

[ScubaMike05]

Hey all. I ordered a Brigade BC and all the trimmings from Larry at Scubatoys.

Arrives tomorrow! I will let you all know how it does.

Mike