Hollis HD200 vs Scubapro Equator

[Grender]

I am trying to decide between these two BCs.

I know Hollis is more geared for tech diving but their HD200 is their recreational BCD

I would ask my dive shop but they are a Scubapro only shop so I am afraid I wont get a straight forward answer.

Does anyone have experience with these brands that can offer insight into which one is the better buy?

HD-200 (Hollis)

SCUBAPRO - EQUATOR (Scubapro)

Also, any general thoughts on the brands and their qualities would help.

 

[Grender]

Oh, and thanks for the advice.

 

[Water Boy76]

My local shop is an Oceanic dealer so I tend to dive that brand. I'm loyal because I get treated well.
Anyways, I have an HD200 and it's a great BC. It's the closest you can get to a BP/W while still enjoying the perks of jacket style BC's (integrated weights, pockets). I just got it a few months ago so I have less than 20 dives on it. Diving it tomorrow as a matter of fact.

It trims out great in the water and fits comfortably. Most parts are replacable like a bp/w including the bladder. If the bladder pops on most jacket style BC's your out of luck. Overall I'm satisfied and would buy again.

They have some left in the shop at a reasonable price. But that's a long drive from Ft. Lauderdale to Sarasota.

 

[runsongas]

do you have any inclination to do cave/technical diving? if so, you should try a bp/w before you commit to buying anything.

if you decide you prefer a back inflate bc, take a look at zeagle too.

 

[tbone1004]

realistically both are far too expensive for what they are.
DRIS Dive Gear 28lb BP/W System | Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL - Dive Right in Scuba
at least the same quality, and significantly cheaper, with great CS from DriS

https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?page=rigs
much higher quality, made in USA, better customer service than either AUP or SP, and also cheaper.... If you want to spend that much on a BC go ahead, but it's not the best investment

 

[Water Boy76]

I spent a whopping $20 more than the cheapest option listed above for my Hollis. And I'm happy to pay it because I have more features (pockets, integrated) etc..
Don't base your purchase on MSRP. Only suckers pay retail.

 

[tbone1004]

Not bashing your purchase, just giving some reasoning to our suggestions

With the Trianta system, you remove 8lbs minimum from your weight belt to begin with, with the DSS you remove about 6.
https://www.divegearexpress.com/dgx-gears-trim-weight-pocket-each
There is your $20 difference in weight pockets if you need them for another up to 8lbs, so on the Trianta that is a total of 16lbs, which when you consider that the HD200 actually floats a bit, is about the same. Combine that with the fact that the DSS rig will weigh about the same 10lbs as the HD200, you are carrying 8lbs less weight with you to the water.

Re. Pockets, I hate BC pockets, really do. Take up too much room on your waist and get in the way.
https://www.divegearexpress.com/dc-thigh-pocket-xt-velcro-closure
https://www.divegearexpress.com/neoprene-pocket-shorts
Either of these are much better options for carrying things like wetnotes and what not, but most things should realistically be on the harness itself.

So net change of extra $40 or $50 over your price for the HD200, I have a higher quality, more versatile rig, and am carrying less weight to the water. Win win scenario.

 

[halocline]

Anyways, I have an HD200 and it's a great BC. It's the closest you can get to a BP/W while still enjoying the perks of jacket style BC's

This BC is nothing like a BP/W. Almost opposite, in fact. There's no rigid backplate, there's all sorts of padding and plastic buckles, extra pockets, a cummerbund, and a pull dump inflator. These are exactly the sorts of 'features' that BP/W divers don't want.

To the OP, I agree with tbone that neither of these BCs represents a good value. If I had to choose one, I'd go with the SP because it looks less cluttered, a little simpler, and the SP balanced inflators are good, they actually do work a little better than generic inflators.

But I would certainly test dive a metal backplate/small wing/webbing harness system before plunking down any real money.

 

[Grender]

This BC is nothing like a BP/W. Almost opposite, in fact. There's no rigid backplate, there's all sorts of padding and plastic buckles, extra pockets, a cummerbund, and a pull dump inflator. These are exactly the sorts of 'features' that BP/W divers don't want.

To the OP, I agree with tbone that neither of these BCs represents a good value. If I had to choose one, I'd go with the SP because it looks less cluttered, a little simpler, and the SP balanced inflators are good, they actually do work a little better than generic inflators.

But I would certainly test dive a metal backplate/small wing/webbing harness system before plunking down any real money.

I have absolutely no ambition to get into technical.
I like using my dump valves for buoyancy adjustments.
I like pockets because I keep my sausage, emergency whistle, reel, and light in them.
I also like dumpable weights because I am a relatively new diver.

Do you still suggest a bp/w? I get the idea that BP/w is only for techies

 

[tbone1004]

yes I do, and your idea is entirely wrong. It is a superior system that unfortunately gets lumped into "techie" only, there is a reason that tech divers use them for their recreational diving, they're better....

1. that's fine, and entirely irrelevant to the discussion
2. wings have dump valves, you just can't pull on the inflator to dump from the top, which is bad for the BC anyway because it is putting a lot of strain on the bladder, also has 0 actual benefit. When diving properly you should only be using the rear dump valves on ascent until the last 15 or so feet when you go vertical, but at that point the inflator itself works just fine.
3. DSMB get's clipped off, whistle should be on the webbing, reel should have a clip so that gets clipped off, light gets clipped off. No need for a pocket for any of that stuff.
4. that is an equipment solution to a skills problem. You can also have ditchable weights on a BP/W, the same weight pockets work on them.
SCUBA Diving Equipment for Technical, Sidemount, Rebreather, Wreck and Cave Diving: Dive Rite, Inc - Product Catalog - Pockets
Dive Rite sells 4/16/32lb weight pockets, as do many other mfg's.

sorry for the small picture. Light is on the right shoulder, clipped off to the D-ring with a piece of elastic holding it to the webbing for nice easy access. The orange thing is actually a lift bag but you can put a DSMB on the back with no issues *this is in the MC pack normally, but I usually clip mine to the butt D-ring. This has two weight pockets with ditchable weight, and weighing in somewhere around 12lbs total, but drops 8lbs from your weight belt, it is much lighter on land than an equivalent BCD with the necessary weight to sink you.