High end BCD

[Mambo Dave]

Im surprised nobody mentioned DiveRite...transplate and transpac are both excellent systems.

I alluded to the transpac above your post. I disagree with it, but I'm sure so many users are convinced by its feel above the water that it would be difficult to argue against it.

 

[CWMurf]

You are the second person from whom I've heard that comment. Maybe you guys should try a different rig.

I must agree. I owned two previous bc units. One a full jacket and the next a back inflate. The back inflate was very nice. I certainly loved it until I tried a bp/w. Rather than comparing a cadilac and an army jeep I would compare the previous units more to a ford escort and the bp/w to a convertible corvette. Very clean, streamlined, incredibly great fitting, and unbelievable handling.

If you're diving a jeep you need to change your rig. BTW - I don't have a specific brand. Just a plate, 1-piece harness, single wing, and doubles wing. Weight pockets on the harness against the plate. I can swim efortlessly in any position. Head up, head down, on my side, on my back, etc. I can even do "aerobatic style" rolls effortlessly through the water. I couldn't do any of that with my previous rigs.

Another vote for bp/w of just about any manufacturer. Many of them cost less than a vest bc too. Price is not the objective.

 

[divingjd]

My advice is to try as many as you can from all types (jacket, Back inflation BC like the zeagle, and BP/W). Then get as many opinions as you can, then buy what you want. You're probably going to change to something else down the road anyway. I currently have 4 BC's. 2 are only for showing what we used to dive (I started diving in 1977, and still have allot of my original gear). And the only reason I keep my Zeagle is when I want to let a buddy try my BP/W.

About the only thing that I would highly recommend is a bc with 2 tank cam bands. I've seen too many tanks slip from the single cam band. And if you go with a steel tank, they are almost a necessity.

Two tank bands are only necessary if the tank bands aren't very good to start with. I have never seen a tank trailing behind a Scubapro BC. The system Scubapro uses is easy to close, easy to adjust, and holds securely. Only one band necessary if you do it right.

I heartily agree with the idea of trying things out and choosing what you like. There is a lot of personal preference here and what makes one person comfortable may not work for another.

 

[RPanick]

Two tank bands are only necessary if the tank bands aren't very good to start with. I have never seen a tank trailing behind a Scubapro BC. The system Scubapro uses is easy to close, easy to adjust, and holds securely. Only one band necessary if you do it right.quote]

Actually Zeagle BCs reaquire two straps because they don't have a molded plastic back to keep the tank settled. The back is soft and flexible, without the other strap they can move around. I actually feel more comfortable with two straps, but the guys on the boat don't like two straps, its more work for them.

Scott may have a different opinion.

 

[divingjd]

Interesting. Do you know why they don't use a hard backpack? Scubapro uses the hard backpack to hold the tank securely but adds padding for (can I say it with the BP/W crowd around?) comfort.

 

[caveseeker7]

For a high end BCD I recommend either a Zeagle, Ranger or custom build, or a Dive Rite Transpack. The Zeagle has the best weight integration if you want that sort of thing, and offers custom colors. The Dive Rite is even more adjustable and allows side mounting. Either company has excellent quality and customer service.

For a BP/W I recommend Oxycheq wings with DSS plates. Quality and customer service as above, the wings are super low profile and the bp sit closer to the body.
Dive Rite and Zeagle also offer bp/w combos, Zeagle even in titanium. :14:
Halcyon also makes good stuff, though it's more than just products, it's a lifestyle. :mooner:

 

[djanni]

You are the second person from whom I've heard that comment. Maybe you guys should try a different rig.

Change your Avator and I'll stop saying that.

 

[djanni]

I mostly dive cold water, about 70% in a drysuit. I went to Cozumel in March with the bp/w and was very happy with it there. In Coz I had a 3mm wetsuit and put 4LB's into a soft weight belt.

I also dive trimix / doubles, but this is with a different rig than my single tank bp/w. By that I mean that I have one bp/w setup for single tank diving and a second for tech diving.

That's what I thought.

 

[Missdirected]

Did the thread starter not ever come back? Hahahha

 

[LeFlaneur]

He figured we all work for Zeagle or Oxycheq.