How do you dive, part 2?

[Chavodel8en]

One thing I want to note that always slightly bugs me is that a BP/W is described as a cheaper option than a BC. Maybe in the long run, but for someone looking to get wet immediately, a completely integrated BC can be much cheaper if you look for deals.

People always compare BP/ W to a top of the line BC, at around $650-$800.

My back-inflate Genesis Tropix I got online for $220. I was considering a BP/W set up, but once you add trim weights, etc. I couldn't get recreationally 1 tank wet for under ~$350.

So Ive used my Tropix (misnomer, it has 35 lbs. lift and is really too robust for a travel BC) for the past ~15 years locally, and sometimes in more tropical locations, if I can fit it in my luggage. I would prefer not to have some of the padding to be able to drop a few lbs of lead, but its not that big of a deal. And I prefer the accessory pockets on the BC, so Im happy

 

[shoredivr]

Dive rite Nomad for sidemount.
BPW for doubles and single.

 

[Hoag]

I have 3 set-ups (Overkill for a guy who only dives about once a year or so.) and of the 3, I have only dove with 2 of them.

1. Back inflate BCD
I have a Cressi Air Travel BCD. It is exactly as the name would imply, a no frills light weight travel BCD. It is (finally) a rock solid BCD, but I had issues with it from the very first dive. I have to accept the blame for the fact that the first dive was on a live aboard and I didn't do a pool session first. The inflate button on the LPI was installed upside down and forced into place. This meant that the BCD was always inflateing, and the only control that I had was to connect or disconnect the hose. Kudos to the boat Captain for lending me and installing an LPI form one of the boat's rental BCDs. This was a short term fix and when I got home, I had to replace the LPI and now it works flawlessly.

There is, however one problem with this BCD. On land, it may only weight about 5 lbs, but in the water, it is about 4 lbs positively buoyant.

As things stand, this BCD is now hanging up and I don't use it.

2. My Primary BP/W
After my fiasco with the Air Travel, I decided to give a BP/W a try. I saw a used aluminum BP here on Scubaboard and it turned out that the seller lived about 15 miles from where I do so we arranged a face to face purchase. I got (what I am told is) a relatively rare Limited Edition blue Hog BP for $70CAD and a Timmies. I put webbing on it and a 23lb Hog wing, and I am good-to-go. This is now my go to.

3. The BP/W that I haven't tried yet
I also have a BP/W that I haven't tried yet. To be honest, at this point, it is just a BP and webbing without a wing. I was in the LDS one day & the saleman offered me a Mares XR ultralight BP for a price that was too good to pass up. I have a couple options for this. I can get a wing for it and finish it off, or I can leave it the way it is and swap my Hog wing over when I need to. Both options seem viable.