Excursion vs. Probe BC

[chrisjg04]

I am semi-new to diving in the fact that I have been certified for 2 years now, but during that time have not logged near as many dives as I would have liked. However I am hoping to dive alot more and decided that it was time to get my own gear and be able to dive it all summer.

Since joining SB a few days ago I have come across countless threads comparing BC styles. I notice the bias towards the BP/W, but with no immediate plans to do any sort of technical diving I don't see this as a best fit for me. Therefore my search is narrowed between a back inflate and a jacket style.

I know each has their own pros and cons but from what I can see the back inflate seems like it would be a better fit, the only thing that it seems to be lacking are pockets and I don't really carry too much. With the possibility of night dives (lights) and maybe photography it the future would this be something that would pose a problem and carrying all the gear. Oceanic sells an optional pocket for the Excursion BC and it also has a lot of D-Rings on it.

I really like the fact that the back inflate gives you less clutter in front and keeps you in a better horizontal position. Any input or opinions on this are greatly appreciated, this is a big purchase for me and I'm hoping to get a BC that will last me for years. (That is unless I do get into tech diving and in that case ill be switching to BP/W)

 

[weaserm99]

I have dove with both of the BC's. For most of my diving i prefer to use the probe. The reason is that when i am in the open water with students on the surface if i am giving any type of instructions i prefer to have the comfort of the jacket style bc floating me. When i do dives where i am just going out and diving the back inflation works perfectly fine for me. The only problem i had with the back inflation was that it pushed me slightly forward in the water when on the surface, if i was just gonna go out and dive though i would have a back inflation bc all the time, i dont think you can go wrong with either bc.

 

[John_B]

Take the time to investigate the used market for those BCs (i.e. closed auctions on eBay) to see what kind of a bath you'd take if you change your mind later and try to sell them. I say that from personal experience.

Also the pockets on the older Probe models weren't very accessible with just a little air in the BC. A limitation of a the wraparound nature of that design. I have no idea if the newer models corrected that.

Finally, those are both the same brand. There are a lot of options out there, even excluding BP/Ws, and especially in your neck of the woods. Spend some time shopping around for different brands at different stores. You don't have to buy from the shop that certified you, esp. if they aren't price competitive or don't have any real selection to choose from.

 

[chrisjg04]

Finally, those are both the same brand. There are a lot of options out there, even excluding BP/Ws, and especially in your neck of the woods. Spend some time shopping around for different brands at different stores. You don't have to buy from the shop that certified you, esp. if they aren't price competitive or don't have any real selection to choose from.

I was also looking at the Zeagle Stiletto, it seems to be very similar to the Excursion but includes more pockets and is slightly cheaper. What other BCs or companies would you recommend to look at?

 

[djanni]

I have the Stiletto. My wife has an Oceanic Isla. The Isla is a jacket style. They are 7 years old and in excellent condition although we only put about 50-60 dives a year on them. She loves hers and I love mine.

I prefer the softpac, dual tank band configuration of the Zeagle over the single tank band, tank cradle config of the Oceanic. I also prefer the Zeagle integrated weight system. Drop in weights... couldn't be faster or easier. The pockets are nice on both yet hers are a little larger.

I'm not so sure a back inflate helps one maintain horizontal position better than a jacket if trim weights are properly utilized. Her trim is pretty darn good. The back inflate has a more open front which I like yet others seem to like the way a jacket feels.

So... yeah, in the end it comes down to personal preference. I think both Oceanic and Zeagle are great companies but they're not the only ones. They're just the ones we've done business with.

If you want a recommendation mine would be the Zeagle.

Good diving....

 

[chrisjg04]

I prefer the softpac, dual tank band configuration of the Zeagle over the single tank band, tank cradle config of the Oceanic. I also prefer the Zeagle integrated weight system. Drop in weights... couldn't be faster or easier. The pockets are nice on both yet hers are a little larger.

I noticed the dual band configuration on the Zeagle and liked that. The jacket styles I have dove with which i rented the bottom end of the tank always seemed to sway some and I ended up swimming with my hands between the tank and myself to keep it stable. I think the double strap on the Zeagle will help with this. I don't think the weight pocket size will make too much of a difference as I only dive with 9lbs of weights when I use a steel tank.

The reason I looked at Zeagle is because I have heard and read nothing but great things about them, and they give me the option to add more pockets and such if I happen to need them in the future.

 

[djanni]

I noticed the dual band configuration on the Zeagle and liked that. The jacket styles I have dove with which i rented the bottom end of the tank always seemed to sway some and I ended up swimming with my hands between the tank and myself to keep it stable. I think the double strap on the Zeagle will help with this. I don't think the weight pocket size will make too much of a difference as I only dive with 9lbs of weights when I use a steel tank.

The reason I looked at Zeagle is because I have heard and read nothing but great things about them, and they give me the option to add more pockets and such if I happen to need them in the future.

The pockets on her Isla are a little bigger than the pockets on the Stiletto. The weight pouches hold about the same amount. The Stiletto comes with trim weight pouches on the back. Since your diving only 9 lbs you can distribute your weight nicely.

 

[rstofer]

Since joining SB a few days ago I have come across countless threads comparing BC styles. I notice the bias towards the BP/W, but with no immediate plans to do any sort of technical diving I don't see this as a best fit for me. Therefore my search is narrowed between a back inflate and a jacket style.

<snip>

I really like the fact that the back inflate gives you less clutter in front and keeps you in a better horizontal position. Any input or opinions on this are greatly appreciated, this is a big purchase for me and I'm hoping to get a BC that will last me for years. (That is unless I do get into tech diving and in that case ill be switching to BP/W)

There is absolutely a bias toward the BP/W and there are very good reasons for this bias. Flexibility in configuration, sizing, streamlining and, perhaps, cost all come to mind.

The fact that tech divers tend to use BP/Ws doesn't mean that the owners of BP/Ws are all tech divers.

I think to simply discard BP/Ws from consideration because a few tech divers use them is a little shortsighted.

Richard

 

[djanni]

There is absolutely a bias toward the BP/W and there are very good reasons for this bias. Flexibility in configuration, sizing, streamlining and, perhaps, cost all come to mind.

Those things are not limited to bp/w.

The fact that tech divers tend to use BP/Ws doesn't mean that the owners of BP/Ws are all tech divers.

I don't think he said that.

I think to simply discard BP/Ws from consideration because a few tech divers use them is a little shortsighted.

Richard

Perhaps he realizes that the requirements of tech diving are what make a bp/w useful in the first place. Nothing shortsighted about that.

 

[chrisjg04]

The fact that tech divers tend to use BP/Ws doesn't mean that the owners of BP/Ws are all tech divers.

I think to simply discard BP/Ws from consideration because a few tech divers use them is a little shortsighted.

I realize that not all owners of BP/W are tech divers. I was not at all saying that the the users of BP/W are all tech divers, nor was I discarding them simply because tech divers use them. I just feel that they are more designed and useful for those who do tech diving, and as someone who is beginning as a recreational diver in warm tropical climates I feel that I would do better off with a back inflate BC.