Genesis Recon vs. Latitude (Buying help)

[Noc]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post on scubaboard; I've been here several times searching through the volumes of great info in the forums, but after looking through it all I decided I'd just post and see what people had to say regarding my dilemna.

I'm an amateur diver, certified at the Advanced Open Water diver level. I try to get out diving as much as possible, unfortunately since my open water cert 2 years ago I've only been able to get out about 10 times a year (on average). I live in Ontario, Canada, but I'm strongly interested in travelling (particularly for diving), and I was lucky enough to get some diving in while I was in New Zealand last year.

Ok, now that I've introduced myself, here's my dilemna: I'm (finally) purchasing my own BC after borrowing/ renting, and I'm stuck between the Genesis Recon and the Seaquest Latitude. I've had a bit of experience with both brands, and like them both; however, the Recon appeals to me a bit more because of the back inflation.. I've only had experience with jacket BC's, and I've always found them a bit restrictive. I also think the Recon would be a good BC for me to 'grow along with'. I don't have dreams of becoming a Course Director or something, but odds are I'll be diving for many years and may want to get a few more certifications under my belt.

From what I've seen, however, the Latitude is also an excellent BC, and one that I'm sure would fulfill my needs now and in the foreseeable future. It's cheaper, which would save me money (or allow me to buy another piece of gear).

What are people's opinions between the two?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[steveann]

While I dive the Recon, I really have to say that now that I know what's out there, i wouldn't get it again. If the Recon is in your sights, a backplate and wing should be right there, too. And here's my thoughts as to why...

1. Adaptability. You need lots o' weight in the cold water which means you need lots o' lift from your BC. You put the big wing on, and you dive. You go to the Carribean, you don't need all that weight, you put the small wing on, you dive. No tropical BC to buy.

2. Travel ease. My Recon takes up a whole bunch of space in my travel bag. A WHOLE lot. My wife's bp/w setup takes up half the space, and that's with the monster wing. That, and I can't take my Recon apart too easily. THe bp/w setup breaks down into smaller pieces in minutes. Nice for the travelling diver.

3. Sizing. My Recon fits nice. Real close to where I would really want it. But I can't adjust it anymore in the direction I want. So, I live with it. A bp/w setup is infinitely adjustable. As long as you have webbing, you can fit a bp/w to you.

4. Proprietary parts. You dump your integrated weights in the Recon, you have to buy a new pocket. For me, they don't make my pockets anymore (I have the pre-CQR Recon). I don't know what I'll do if I drop one over a deep spot. Of course, I have found a pocket or two on the beach, so I have extras.

Overall, I like my Recon. However, I know now that what I wanted when I bought my Recon was really a backplate/wing setup. Sadly, I did not know about bp/w sets at the time. The Recon is nicely set up, it has the right lift for me, and it can do everything I want. But, for the same price or maybe a little bit more, I could have had that bp/w that is what I really wanted.

 

[Noc]

Thanks for the info Steveann. I don't really know too much about BP/W setups beyond what I've read on Wikipedia and a few other sites; do you think I should hold off on buying until I know more about BP/W rigs?

I've heard that the Recon is quite large; I won't see one in person until near the end of this week when I go into my LDS, so I don't know just how big it is.. but if it's huge I may not go for it, for travel and awkwardness reasons.

Anyone else have any advice they could offer?

 

[Tamas]

My first BC was the Recon as well, bought it right after the OW class....and still dive it today time to time.

It is a very well put together BC, good fit very well fitting -- if you get the right size and if it fits you well. Just like anything in the world, if it doesn't fit, don't buy it. When you get shoes, will you buy a pair that somebody else recommended (for whatever reason) or that everyone has or the one that fits your body and fits your needs?! Think about that for a while.

The Recon is a back inflate, weight integrated BC with a lot of potential. Doesn't take a lot of led to sink it, has ample lift (which changes by the size) and multiple attachment points for all your gear. Traveling with it can be done if one is willing to pack "around" it...but doable, not as small as some other BC/wings out there but still good.

Go and look at it, try it on, if it fits see if you can use it for a session in the pool and then make the decision. BP/W are great, I use it as well, but for the ease of use and convenience it gives it might not be for everyone.

 

[mrjimboalaska]

I recommend the BP/W(Halcyon) now. The Jacket BC's were too restrictive for me. Although I like my Halcyon, I have a friend who dives a DeepSeeSupply that looks like a noce BP/W. Also have been concidering a Maximus Senior from Scubal.com for a loaner/buddie/temp BC.
Whatever you buy, I hope you enjoy it. DIVE DIVE DIVE
Jimbo

 

[PaulChristenson]

Dive-Rite makes a nice ones...
http://www.dive-rite.com/Products/ProductSplash.aspx?CategoryID=3&SubCategoryID=0

Oxycheq makes nice ones as well...
http://www.oxycheq.com/Wings.html

Send a PM off to http://www.scubaboard.com/member.php?u=2086

 

[steveann]

With regards to your holding off until you learn more, I would suggest yes, with a clarification. As you haven't heard about them, and the Recon is the "reccy" version of the "teccy" bp/w setups, I would try to learn something about them first. At least, enough to make an informed decision. But don't put off purchasing something until you know everything about everything, since you'll never purchase anything. Get enough info to be comfortable with your decision, and then go with it. You'll have plenty of time to regret your decision later And, hopefully with today's market, the LDS with the Recon has a bp/w setup also so you can compare. At least look at some websites and look at them before deciding on a purchase. I'll put a list of good links in this post, some major manufacturers. Also, look on the boards for the "BC vs. BP/W" threads. There's a ton of them, most with good info, although you'll have to do some reading on it.

Like I said in my original post, I dive the Recon now. I am in the process of buying a bp/w setup for myself, and will probably sell the Recon when I complete the package. The Recon definitely has it's ups, and it's downs. The Latitude is not in my breadth of experience, and I will not comment on that. I do know that I too liked the Recon when I saw it, and I realize now I was looking for a bp/w but didn't know it. It's taken me 6 years to find the setup I really wanted, and amazingly, it looks a lot like a Recon, just better (I'll be wearing the OMS Comfort Harness with an aluminum backplate). My reasoning is that the Recon fits.....almost. Sorta like a pair of jeans from Walmart. It fits close enough to be the right size for me, but at the same time not. The infinite adjustment of the bp/w setup is what puts it over the top.

As for the bp/w variations, I won't get into them here. if you want some relatively unbiased information, pm me. If you want to hear all the upsides to all the different setups, as well as all the downsides, post a question about bp/w's, or just read the old ones. Of course, it is always fun to watch the DIR guys and the non-DIR guys go at each other about who's right...

For some info/looks at different bp/w setups, look at the sites previously posted (D-R, OxyCheq) and check out these.
http://www.omsdive.com
http://www.deepseasupply.com
http://www.halcyon.net

And see if your LDS carries one. If not, see if the shop owners/employees dive one and can bring it in to look at. It's the only way to truly appreciate the beauty of a bp/w setup, looking at it and trying it on.

And as always, go with what you like best. An awesome setup that you don't like will not be the same as that "P.O.S." setup that you like, no matter what everyone else tells you. Your comfort in your gear is more important than the current trend in the sport, and you'll be a better diver for it.

 

[Masterfish]

i can get a recon in Australia for about $600AUD.

anyone know where i can get a bp/w and harness for that in australia?