Help for a newbie's first BC purchase???

[dabiz7]

Here's another newbie asking about his first BC...a little help please
We are new divers, live in Ohio, 90% of our diving is going to be the Great Lakes, quarries, etc, occasional trips to Florida, maybe one or two trips to the Carribean every year...I am good sized, 6', 230.....am looking for a good heavy duty, back inflate BC that I might be able to do some light tech diving with as i gain more experience....I have narrowed dwn my choices to the following
1) SeaQuest Balance..these are plentiful, fit pretty good on me
2) Zeagle Ranger Ltd
3) ScubaPro Knighthawk
4) I found a used ScubaPro Superhawk that is like new, I really like it

Durability is no 1, I want something that will last
Thanks for the assitance
steve

 

[jonnythan]

None of the above.

Get a bp/wing combo. Halcyon Pioneer, Halcyon Eclipse, Oxycheq, OMS. Get a wing designed for a single tank and a metal backplate. Nothing like it.

 

[SteveDiver]

Scuba pro is good. I would do your research first....Everyone on here will give you their personal preferences however, with something important as life supporting equipment I would take time to research the BCD's. It is important that it fits you comfortably. I would suggest that you go to a local retailer and try on the equipment before you order it on line. This is what I do and it works out great...Just act interested in their product try it on and go home and order it on-line. I have found that it is much cheaper to order via the internet..

 

[kman458]

Scuba pro is good. I would do your research first....Everyone on here will give you their personal preferences however, with something important as life supporting equipment I would take time to research the BCD's. It is important that it fits you comfortably. I would suggest that you go to a local retailer and try on the equipment before you order it on line. This is what I do and it works out great...Just act interested in their product try it on and go home and order it on-line. I have found that it is much cheaper to order via the internet..

reguardless of what everyone will try to tell you to buy get one that fits is the most important thing. we bought bcd's and wetsuits from the lds that i thought did not fit right but was assured that they were the proper size and fit. after using them a few times we had to buy more both to get them to fit right. so now we have $1200.00 tied up in 2 wetsuits and bcd's that we can not use and will have to sell and lose money on because we did not get the right sizes to begin with. moral of this story is to get what fits you the best.

 

[CRDiver]

If you're looking for heavy-duty and "light tech" capable, the Zeagle Ranger is the only one of the four that fits the bill. They fit you like a glove too.

 

[ShakaZulu]

Hollywood Divers in LA, talk to Bill. He will set you up with a BP/W for $350.

 

[shooter226]

Being large in size the Zeagle will fit the best. It is also the best for your needs. I sell Scubapro also but the Zeagle will blow away the Knighthawk.

Get the Ripcord release for the integrated weight system. You can put any kind of weight in it and there is no inner pocket to loose (or replace if you ditch your weight).

Being backpack less the Ranger will hold the tank closer to your back. This is a good thing.

Go to a local dive shop and try them both. If you can't find one call Zeagle and they will tell you where one is in the area.

Now on regulators I am still leaning to Scubapro's.

Mark

 

[darkstar]

The Ranger is a good choice and there are a few used ones available. If you're serious about tech in future, you should at least try a BP/wing, but the Ranger will allow you to carry doubles in future if you want.

I dive both a Ranger and a Zeagle Tech and I'm 6'2"/ 225#.

 

[r37691]

Before switching to a Bp/Wing setup. I used a Scubapro Superhawk NT. I don't believe it's made anymore. After 200+ dives with it, I only had 1 problem: Had to switch the small screws to bolts & capnuts, but that was only a few bucks at the hardware store. I still use it for rental.

 

[jagfish]

So many choices, huh?

lots of good advice here...Trying any of these in the water is the best way, as has been pointed out. I used the Balance and really like the minimalist approach (relatively clean chest) but no pockets if you can live with that (try pocket shorts). I did find it a little tough to fine tuen teh weighting so that it remained vertical at the surface.

I now fly BP/W and it is superior in all respects for me...

Enjoy the searching as much as the having....

JAG