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Most people learn on a Jacket BC since they're the standard for rental fleets worldwide. Many people buy one because it feels the same - floats them high and vertical on the surface. Most people who later buy a back-inflate BC find them more functional - less cluttered in front. Of all the people I know, only one person decided it wasn't for her and switched back. Casey ^ being an exception. I think even he'd admit he has a bias though since that's all he sells - that's what Scubapro Platinum means.
You might look at a Scubapro Knighthawk also. I think they're a little cheaper. Direct competition for it is the Zeagle Ranger. I actually went to my dealer to buy a Knighthawk but came home with a Ranger. It fit better and I liked the Ripcord - one pull dumps both front pockets. You'll notice on just about every other BC made you have to pull each side individually. My weighting is 60/40 so pulling both at the same time just starts you up in a hurry but not uncontrollably - as long as you're also venting air continuously.
Where do you plan to dive? Locally, warm water destinations? or both? Each has different weighting/lift needs. For mostly travel look at the above mentioned Zuma, a Scubapro Lighthawk or Zeagle's Covert. You'll notice they lack pockets, d-rings, larger bladders with more lift and possibly some comfort features like lumbar pads etc. Since you don't need as much for warm water/light or no wetsuit diving. They also pack a lot smaller, you roll the Covert up like a newspaper. I believe the Zuma has a drawstring bag also.
The Classic has a lot of lift - 58-67lbs. in the larger sizes. Most people who dive in the tropics use a 24 lb. wing or less. You don't need that much lift - more importantly the bulk unless you plan to lift small anchors with your BC also. In cold water, with enough weight to counter-balance your 7MM - or more wetsuit - it's not a bad idea - since you could be carrying 30lbs. or so. Plus the tank weight when full - compressed air weighs something.
A reasonable compromise for both conditions is something like a Zeagle Stiletto - it will have the needed lift (35#) for most cold water diving yet packs smaller for travel. I once managed to cram one into a airline legal sized carry on (14x22") but no room for much else. Since my fins are 26" not much point either. The trade-off with it is it's a single tank model only.
I don't follow Aqualung at all but I'm sure they have all the same options.
You might look at a Scubapro Knighthawk also. I think they're a little cheaper. Direct competition for it is the Zeagle Ranger. I actually went to my dealer to buy a Knighthawk but came home with a Ranger. It fit better and I liked the Ripcord - one pull dumps both front pockets. You'll notice on just about every other BC made you have to pull each side individually. My weighting is 60/40 so pulling both at the same time just starts you up in a hurry but not uncontrollably - as long as you're also venting air continuously.
Where do you plan to dive? Locally, warm water destinations? or both? Each has different weighting/lift needs. For mostly travel look at the above mentioned Zuma, a Scubapro Lighthawk or Zeagle's Covert. You'll notice they lack pockets, d-rings, larger bladders with more lift and possibly some comfort features like lumbar pads etc. Since you don't need as much for warm water/light or no wetsuit diving. They also pack a lot smaller, you roll the Covert up like a newspaper. I believe the Zuma has a drawstring bag also.
The Classic has a lot of lift - 58-67lbs. in the larger sizes. Most people who dive in the tropics use a 24 lb. wing or less. You don't need that much lift - more importantly the bulk unless you plan to lift small anchors with your BC also. In cold water, with enough weight to counter-balance your 7MM - or more wetsuit - it's not a bad idea - since you could be carrying 30lbs. or so. Plus the tank weight when full - compressed air weighs something.
A reasonable compromise for both conditions is something like a Zeagle Stiletto - it will have the needed lift (35#) for most cold water diving yet packs smaller for travel. I once managed to cram one into a airline legal sized carry on (14x22") but no room for much else. Since my fins are 26" not much point either. The trade-off with it is it's a single tank model only.
I don't follow Aqualung at all but I'm sure they have all the same options.
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