First set of gear

[TTT]

Hello everyone!

I am in the market to buy my first full set of gear. I live in Vancovuer British Columbia. I have decided on my dry suit...and my reg and octopus are not of issue. What I am really confussed and not to sure on is what BC to get. I have heard so many things.."vests are great" or "the only way to go is with a BP and wings" I jsut have no idea. I plan on diving quite a bit...hopfully around the ball park of four dives a week. and I don't want my equiptment to limit me in the kind of diving I will be doing.


If you guys can help me out at all that would be great!

thank you all so much

cheers

Tommy

 

[ScubaRon]

I am looking for a new BC too. My current one is 12 years old and although in very good condition I figure I should replace it anyway. Reading all the confusing recommendations and studying various resources I more or less decided for a hybrid BC that is a mix of traditional jacket and back-inflation. My reasoning is as follows:

- I don't do a lot of tec diving, so a bp/wing is not needed
- The stability of back inflation UW seems like a good idea
- I do quite a bit of boat diving, which often means extended periods bobbing on the surface, so a back inflation seems not a good idea.
- The Mares airtrim feature gets great reviews by just about everyone.

The models I am looking at are the Mares DragonFly and the Morphos Twin.
ScubaRon

 

[TTT]

Thanks scubaron!

I am kinda thinking along the same lines as you as going with a hybird. The BP/wings is a bit much...but I like the idea of the back inflate for stability in the water.

Does anyone else have any ideas?

Thanks guys!

cheers

Tommy=-) h

 

[Robert Phillips]

I went from a jacket style to a back inflation to a S/S backplate and wings. I would not go back! I do recreational beach and boat dives. It took about two dives to get my weight and trim correct and it has never forced me onto my face on the surface unless inflated all the way, wich is not needed. I just did it to see what would happen. With the correct weight you dont need to inflate completely to stay afloat. I was diving on sunday and on the surface swim back to shore I relaxed completely to see wich way I would float. I was in a verticle position and with very little effort, more of just leaning my head back I was on my back with my legs and feet on the surface. Very comfortable.
As far as limiting, a bp/w is the most versatile bcd you can find, want doubles? Add a larger wing and manifolded tanks and there you go. Traveling? It's small enough to fit in a carry on (leave the knife in your checked luggage .)
I have done 15 dives in the last 3 months on my bp/w set up, and aside from changing my weighting (incorrectly, I shouldn't have f@'d with a good thing) I can do a perfect horizontal descent and ascent, stop at 15-10 feet for my safety stop and swim like a fish with very little effort. No drag, better air consumption and more fun!
Hope this helps!

 

[ScubaB704]

Hello ,.

i have my scuba equipment for sale.. its a scubapro classic pluc bcd.. in a size large.. and i have other equipment with it also.. if you are interested please email me at finaticone@aol.com

 

[Enzo]

I hear what Robert is saying about backplate/wings style units - they can be great.
However, they aren't for everyone.

I would also reconsider your interest in the hybrids... yeah, they work but not as well as either a jacket or wing.

Maybe consider a nice back inflation style "rec-tec" BCD - it will work great for the diving you are probably doing now and for years to come. If you think you may get into doubles in the near future look at a backplate/harness/wing, but if you're aren't sure when that day will come I would hold off for now.

 

[Groundhog246]

Try and rent and dive as many different styles as you can. Me I prefer a back inflate. The "face down" on the surface complaint has never been an issue for me. Most of the time on the surface, I roll over on my back and relax. I dislike jacket style BC's, especially the 'squeeze' at the side.

 

[Xtreme]

Like Groundhog242, I prefer a back inflation BC. I just purchased Oceanic's "Chute 3" and I've been very pleased...

 

[ShakaZulu]

http://store.triple-l.biz/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=BCD here you go guys............

 

[ae3753]

If you're planning on taking a DIR-F course, then be aware that they have specialized equipment requirements (ie. BP/W). I purchased my rig (which I am quite happy with), but now interested in DIR-F, and none of my existing equipment complies.

No one had mentioned this in the previous equipment discussions I saw on this board, so I wanted to throw it out there.