Help with BC selection

[maildiver]

I am in the market for a new BC, currently I am using a rental Scubapro Knighthawk which I like very much. My dive shop recently started carrying Diverite, and I liked the looks of the Transpac harness. The only thing I'm not keen about, is the weight pockets. They just connect onto the harness belt on each side. I am using 34 pds and the setup with the weight doesn't look too comfortable.
I like the weight pouches on the knighthawk, they distribute the weight well, and I like how streamlined this BC is. I am very comfortable in this BC ,while the Diverite I have never used as they don't rent them out.

 

[TheFoggyMask]

With the diverite you will not need 34 pounds on your weightbelt. The backplate itself adds some negative weight (five or six pounds?), and for the rest of your weight you can probably just use a belt and forgo pockets all together. 34 pounds sounds like quite a bit, are you diving a drysuit? Sure you're not overweighted? Otherwise, if you like the knighthawk and it fits, sure.

 

[PerroneFord]

Uhhh, the Transpac has no backplate. I still can't fathom why anyone would need 34 pounds of lead.

 

[maildiver]

obviously you've never dived in the PNW

 

[PerroneFord]

No, can't say that I have. But if I did with any regularity, I'd certainly find a way to do so without wearing 34# of lead...

 

[Matsya]

What is the PNW and why does it necessitate 34 pounds?

 

[thuffman]

PNW: Pacific NorthWest. The water is cold and neccesitates heavy exposure protection. I dive in a 7mm farmerjohn/jacket style wetsuit. When I certified in November '04, I wore 40 lbs and had to kick down. Technique and time has lowered that to 28 lbs this spring.

 

[The Chairman]

It's not unusual for us warm water wimps to not be able to relate to our Cold Water Barbarian fellows. It's not a race to zero here.

However, I would consider steel tanks and a weight harness in this situation. Taking off your BC when it has 8-10 pounds is a balancing act already. If you get much above that, then you are going to have a HARD time to remove and replace your scuba unit as you will float like a cork while your BC becomes an anchor.

As for true BCs, I like Oceanic's BC line up as well as the Zeagle Brigade sold by ScubaToys.

 

[thuffman]

That's a good point about doffing the BC at depth with that much lead. That's a skill I practiced in the pool and have had to do on the suface in open water, but we didn't do it for certification and I haven't had occasion to since. My Oceanic Probe handles the weight well.
You know, I look at the cold and muddy dives I do here as "getting my chops". When I finally do get to a tropical clime, it'll be soo sweet.

 

[The Chairman]

I train my OW students on an integrated BC (the Zeagle Stilletto) and they usually have anywhere from 4-14 lbs. So. we make sure that they can do this without touching the sea floor and without rising to the surface. The trick is keeping your BC between you and the surface.