mrmonk7663:
What is the difference between a vest style or a Back plate style with Wings or whatever? I thought all BCs were the same thing but evidently they are not.Mike
I'm going to try to answer this one without injecting a bias, but it will difficult.
Most BC's (buoyancy compensator) fall into two different categories:
Stabilizer (sometimes called stab) jacket
or
Back Inflate
The stabilizer jacket is the one you're most likely to use in your Open Water class. It looks like a vest with air bladders on your sides. The problem with these is your bulk will increase, and thus your movement through water will be compromised and more difficult.
The back inflate looks similar but has the air bladder on the back, which is where it should be if you want to remain in a horizontal position. This allows you to slice through the water like a torpedo.
The main problem with both of these is your bulk still increases, and they have a tendency to rise up around your neck at the surface.
A backplate/wing combo is a whole different beast, although it sounds like the back inflate in theory. It consists of a plate of metal, that rests on your back with a piece of 2 inch wide webbing forming a harness. It wraps around both shoulders, around your waist and through your crotch. A "wing" or inflatable bladder is attached to the back of the plate with the tank (or tanks) sandwiching it to your back. This places the inflation in the spot you need it, while also using the tank to reduce the bulk. It's commonly accepted to have a different amount of lift (pounds of buoyancy) for double steel tanks which weigh more vs a single aluminum tank.
In my searching for prices, the BC jackets will run around $250.00 for a generic brand up to $600.00 for name brand.
BP+Wing combos run around $300-500.00 but are cheaper to maintain. You can replace the harness for a few dollars if you need too, you won't be doing that with a regular BC. The same with the wing. You can easily change between different size wings with just a few nuts turned. You can't do the same with a BC if you decide to later dive with more tanks.
Well, so much for not being biased, hehe. It's hard to list the pro's/con's of both without making it seem like an obvious choice. Atleast to me, anyway.
I believe this topic (BP+Wing vs. Vest/Jacket BC) inspires alot of opinions and debates. If you search through the forums, you'll see that mainly that's because people try a bp+wing and wish they had got that to begin with. You'll save alot of money in the long run going with the BP+wing first, as well as, having the best equipment.
As far as the other topic (Local Dive Shop LDS vs Online store), that's a much more heated topic. It all depends on your local dive shop. They have to adds tons of incentives to make up for the huge discount that online stores offer. If you do decide to buy online, there is nothing wrong with it.
Just make sure they're an authorized dealer first, otherwise the warranty means nothing.
Scubatoys.com is who I use, they offer a full manufacturers warranty and also have a huge store somewhere in Texas.
Here are a few prices to get you started on an idea:
Oxycheq Wings (From my research on the board, everyone likes these) They run about 200-300.
Backplates (Steel adds weight so you can take more off your uncomfortable belt. ABS Plastic is easier out of the water) They run about 50-150. There are several people on the board that make this stuff. FredT (PM him for his price list) and Torbin (can't remember his handle, Coolhardware something) from deepseasupply.com
Mask, Fins (+ boots possibly), and Snorkel make up your personal gear that is usually required before your OW class starts. This ranges from $50.00 bucks upwards of $300.00. These are the hardest to buy online (except snorkel) because fit is extremely important.
Gauges run from $80 - 200.00 depending on if you add compass, thermometer etc. At the least you need an SPG (submersible pressure guage) and depth gauge and some kind of time device (ie watch).
Computer can be purchased later. They're expensive, starting at $200.00 and going up to $1000.00. IF you absolutely have to buy one, buy a good one that does both Air and Nitrox (you'll learn about this later). Otherwise, if you decide to dive with Nitrox later, you won't be out of luck. Most will recommend you learn to dive the tables and with non-electronic stuff first, so that you don't start with a crutch.
Wetsuit can be rented but you'll probably want to buy one soon. They range from little "skins" which are just basically neoprene tights that provide little to no warmth for $50.00 up to thick wetsuits for $300.00 If you're going to be diving cold, the seemingly unanimous vote is the Henderson Titanium Hyperstretch. It's extremely stretchy, so you can probably gain or lose 50 lbs and still wear the thing.
I'm sure I've forgotten something, and I don't want to overwhelm you. Of course, it's probably too late for that. :11:
I am not quite sure I understand the BC totally. It seems there are a few different kinds. What is the difference between a vest style or a Back plate style with Wings or whatever? I thought all BCs were the same thing but evidently they are not.
