Getting ready to buy my first BCD

[tariqali]

Hi,

This is my first post in this forum and I am sure I will find the help I need here.

I am getting ready to by my first BCD but having problems deciding which one to get since I am doing most of my research online. I know, that's not good :no

I mostly dive in warm water and have to fly to get there since I live in the North East. So I am looking for a BCD that is light and easy to pack.

I did try te SeaQuest Latitude once and liked it. But then I found the Cressi-Sub Aqualight 2006 model. It says it's made to travel but never tried this one on.

Based on your experience should I just go with the seaquest or do you know of any other good travel BCDs out there?

What do you guys recommend?

Thank you!

 

[akscuba]

For easy to pack, you *cannot* beat a backplate and wing. Seriously. I don't yet use one, although I plan to switch over within the next few months. They are extremely streamlined and they give you a great deal of room to grow into diving (want to do doubles? want to take a DIR class? etc.) The components other than the wing will also last longer than other BCs.

If you aren't comfortable with a BP/W, I highly recommend the Zeagle Stiletto. Zeagle BCs have two tank bands (for a more secure tank), and their ripcord system makes ditching weight easy (only takes about 5 minutes to learn how to thread the cord). The Stiletto in particular is very small and easy to pack. Zeagle is also willing to make custom fit BCs for you for the same price, with one size in the top and botton half of the BC.

For the quality you get, plus the extreme ease of travel, I'd very strongly recommend the Stiletto. I'm very happy with mine.

 

[ZzzKing]

Zeagle is also willing to make custom fit BCs for you for the same price, with one size in the top and botton half of the BC.

They don't actually make a custom bc for you but they are modular so your LDS can swap out small shoulder straps on a large bc, for instance, if they are so inclined. They are well made and hold their value pretty well. I bought one, dove it for a year, and sold it for $40 less than I paid for it new. That's less than $1/dive.

 

[DiveMaven]

If you're interested in the Zeagle and can't find an LDS to help you, call ScubaToys. They'll size it over the phone and more often than not, send you exactly the configuration you need for the perfect fit.

 

[GA Under Water]

I just bought the Aqualite R 2006 and it is small, 1/2 the weight of other BCs and more D-rings for gadgets, huge pockets blah blah blah. You will not be disappointed with the Aqualite R. The fit is great and when I first dove it I was amazed at how much easier it seammed to be to walk to the shore with the fully loaded BC.

 

[tariqali]

Thanks you guys for your inputs. I just placed an order for the Stiletto and should get it this week. I will be diving with it next week

 

[DavidB]

Hi,

This is my first post in this forum and I am sure I will find the help I need here.

I am getting ready to by my first BCD but having problems deciding which one to get since I am doing most of my research online. I know, that's not good :no

I mostly dive in warm water and have to fly to get there since I live in the North East. So I am looking for a BCD that is light and easy to pack.

I did try te SeaQuest Latitude once and liked it. But then I found the Cressi-Sub Aqualight 2006 model. It says it's made to travel but never tried this one on.

Based on your experience should I just go with the seaquest or do you know of any other good travel BCDs out there?

What do you guys recommend?

Thank you!

I would go for Zeagle BCD, you have the scout or the Escape that are very light if you do only recreational dives. As for the price i bought mine from Leisure Pro the price was excellent and the service as well...
Enjoy

 

[MSilvia]

What do you guys recommend?

I recommend diving in the Northeast!

 

[paddler3d]

I recommend diving in the Northeast!

Don't know if this is Silva from This Old House, but I'd have to say you've got A LOT of cool diving in the North East. Sure maybe it is cold, but that is what gear is for.

Check out a BP/W. You can change wings depending upon your need AND OMS, Halycon, and DiveRite make padding that attaches to backplates. Frankly they pack flat.

Anyway, the BP/W provides a lot of versatility AND it doesn't give you the squeeze!

Cheers!

 

[jhoey]

Listen to those who recommend a backplate and wing, they speak an imperial truth.

If you're doing mostly warm water recreational diving, an aluminium backplate/wing combo will suit you nicely. Packs well, doesn't weigh much, will be much more versatile as you progress in your diving, etc. etc. etc. I have Halcyon backplates (both SS and Al) and wings (single- and double-tank sizes) and I'm happy with them all. There are other makes, though, that you may wish to consider: Dive-Rite, Oxycheq, etc.