First set of gear

[tedwhiteva]

Goundhog has the right idea - rent a back inflate and if possible a back plate first. The back inflate feature of both is MUCH more comfortable under water.

 

[MSilvia]

I'm no expert, but I started with a jacket style SeaQuest, moved to a DiveRite Transpac II, and finally made the change to BP/wing. I want to address a couple of points:

- I don't do a lot of tec diving, so a bp/wing is not needed

Tech divers use them, but that doesn't make them "for tech diving". The important thing to consider is why they use them.

There are several good reasons, and even the best of the hybrids don't address them as well:

• Trim and Streamlining

A correctly fitted backplate and wing will allow you to stay horizontal in the water, and doesn't have lots of unnecessary extra bulk, which gives you the most hydrodynamic profile possible as you swim. Water is much denser than air, so every inch of extra water you have to push against means more work... which means using air faster... which means a shorter dive. I don't know about you, but longer and easier dives are pretty appealing to me.

• Simplicity

One piece of steel, one piece of webbing threaded through it, one inflatable bladder, and a few strategicly placed D-rings. It's super easy to maintain and rinse, and if necessary you can repair it yourself with a couple of dollars worth of webbing from any craft store. Try doing that with the Mares.

It also packs down to a few inches thick.

• Durability

It's steel... you aren't going to break it. There aren't any plastic buckles, fancy widgets, or any other breakable parts. You can rely on it.

• Versatility

Single tank? Doubles? Side mount? Stage bottles? Photography? Hunting? Drifting over Reefs? Scootering through Caves? Penetrating Wrecks? Going deep? Staying shallow?

Yeah... it's good for all that. There's nothing more versatile, and you'll never have to wonder if you'll need to upgrade your gear to do a more challenging dive.

- 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.

I don't have any problems bobbing in mine, and I find it's quite comfortable to swim on my back at the surface.

 

[Robert Phillips]

You guys do realize that this thread is almost a year old, don't you? I think the original poster has purchased their equipment by now.
Thought you'd like to know!
Robert