Gear choice

[Mark_Lide]

Ok, so I got my open water cert and have started my advance OW, so now I'm deciding on what gear to get. I'm deployed to Egypt and will be trying to get most of my gear here due to the cost and so I don't have to pay shipping twice. I'm trying to decide what BCD I want. I've narrowed it down the the Mares Prestige and the Mares Pegasus. I would like to hear experiences that anyone my have with either. I've already gotten a dive computer that my instructor recommended. Oh and diving in the Red Sea is AWESOME!!!

 

[tbone1004]

neither.

Stainless Steel BP/W would be your best option. Remove on average 8lbs of lead from your belt, modular, higher build quality, etc etc.

Deep Sea Supply is my preferred choice and since you're deployed you should be able to get pretty cheap shipping rates from the US. I would email Tobin, explain that you're deployed over there and see what shipping is like. You will be much better off and the price is pretty comparable

 

[fjpatrum]

I have no experience with either but I'd pick the Pegasus. Much "slimmer" design without a lot of extra unnecessary padding/bulk. It's a back inflate system so closer to a BP/W (which I personally prefer) but has some nice features of a stab. The integrated weight belt is hit or miss but I like the harness on Pegasus. Overall it will reduce the amount of "extra" lead you'll have to carry, be better for comfort if you're an "odd fit" (like me) and still provide some of the nice "frills" that a jacket BCD has.

 

[phoenix31tt]

my wife had a pegasus... it was much more streamlined that my mares dragon and was a pretty decent BCD all around. The rare inflate is also a nice touch as it feels way less bulky than the traditional jacket. She and i now both prefer our BP/W but of the two i would go with the pegasus

 

[JohnN]

neither.

Stainless Steel BP/W would be your best option. Remove on average 8lbs of lead from your belt, modular, higher build quality, etc etc.

Deep Sea Supply is my preferred choice and since you're deployed you should be able to get pretty cheap shipping rates from the US. I would email Tobin, explain that you're deployed over there and see what shipping is like. You will be much better off and the price is pretty comparable

+1 Also irregardless of where you go with your diving hobby (rec, rec-tec, full tec), you'll never outgrow the BP/W.

 

[glassbottom]

As someone that dives a jacket BC, but has used a BP/W. I would do a BP/W if in the market for gear.

I got my jacket BC (and a BUNCH of other gear) as a package second hand deal for like 200 bucks. So I use it.

But If I was buying new (or even used) I would look to a BP/W. Its modular so its not a full replacement if you break something, it makes neutral buoyancy easier to establish, depending on the BP, it doesn't require as much weight to dive.


And if you are one of that that's wants to go deeper, get into tech etc, you wont outgrow a BP/W.

 

[Mark_Lide]

Thanks for all the info guys!

 

[diversteve]

The Pegasus is discontinued here in the U.S. if that matters to you.

The Hybrid Pure is a comparable replacement around the same price. Mares Hybrid Pure BCD with MRS Plus Weight Pockets

If you're like most people you'll find that you trim horizontally better when the aircell is on your back. I also split my weight front/rear so having rear trim pockets is useful. I'm one of the majority in the world that doesn't think a BP/W is the only option.

If you can get them there, Zeagle makes a quality product also. Up until recently all back-inflate, this year they've added a jacket line. I suspect they know their customer base better than any of us here on SB. Home