I dont' want to say Money is not an option...

[MRT2]

... but i'm willing to pay for the value. So here's another BC question.

I'm a new diver, and wanted to spare the expense of renting equipment. I love diving but don't see myself getting beyond that of a "master diver" if that. I just got certified, purchased a lot of "very nice" equipment. From the extensive research I have done, to be honest... I probably won't know the differences (other than what's published about them and what people say) between the equipment I purchased and some "not so great" equipment I could have purchased (not know as of yet that is...)

Now comes the part of purchasing a BC. I'm 5'6, approx 145lbs. Price isn't necessarily an issue (as long as I'm getting something good for it's value). I want something Very Streamlined, Back Inflate, w/integrated weights (If possible, I would love for it to have an Octo built into the power inflator? - or I could get that seperately)

AND yes, i've done a myriad of search's on this Board (Which have been very helpful), but nothing with what the requirements i'm looking for. So I put it out there to the expereinced ones on this board. If you had the requirements above... which BC would you purchase and why?

5'6, 145lbs, Price isn't an issue, Very Streamlined, Back Inflate, Integrated Weights, and built in Octo (but this can be purchased sepeately). *I do plan to go steel. I see a majority of people with this option. Please help a newbie fellow diver, and let me know of any questions you may have that may assist you assist me!

Thanks!

 

[CIBDiving]

one thing you don't mention is what type of water will you be diving most often? salt/fresh, cold/tropical, ect. it makes a difference in BC choice many warm water BCs don't work well in cold water. and a cold water BC is often not as streamlined as a warm water version.

have you looked at the Apex BP/W setup?

 

[scubadobadoo]

I want something Very Streamlined, Back Inflate, w/integrated weights (If possible, I would love for it to have an Octo built into the power inflator? - or I could get that seperately)

Thanks!

SeaQuest Balance may fit the bill for you but MANY bc's will fit this list. Sounds like you are a possible candidate for a BP/W to me. Maybe a Dive Rite Transpac "type" system could make you happy too. I would go directly to the manufacturer's sites and have a look. Zeagle, Aqualung, Sherwood, DiveRite, Mares, Deep Sea Supply (in SoCal like you), Halcyon, OMS, SeaQuest, Aeris, etc...I can't think of more right now but others will chime in.:huh:

Welcome to diving and the board as well!

 

[MRT2]

Ooh! Sounds like the APEX BP/W is definitely a choice, especially with 3 people referencing it! But question... "I couldn't find anything that has 'Apex' do you mean 'APEKS"? And excuse the ignorance of acronyms.. but what is a "BP/W"?
Is there a specific APEK/APEX model I should be looking at? (I'm looking to buy soon)

(I live in SoCal, and my first Official dive OUT of the certification is in Hawaii to see the Giant Rays!! In which case, I would love to say most of my diving will be tropical, but chances are it will be local in the nice COLD salty waters in SoCal.)

Thank You for the welcome and Thank You Scubadobadoo, CIBDiving for the input. If anybody else has any insight, I would be very appreciative.

 

[hank harris]

Given your size (145 is tiny!) and parameters, my dos centavos:

Halcyon Eclipse aluminum bp with 30# lift wing. That gives you the option of adding ditchable weight, which I strongly encourage. You can get the ditchable belt pouches halcyon sells (good for tropical diving), or go with the DUI weight/trim setup (my favorite) for maximum flexibility as your diving profiles change and/or you move to diving dry. You can also get the steel bp down the road when/if 145 morphs into something weightier.

One thing you mention I would discourage... the octo built into the inflator. I've had 2 of those and don't recommend them for several reasons. Go with 2 good quality regs instead. I'm partial to scubapro, but there are many good regs to choose from.

 

[RJTY]

I recently bought a scubapro knighthawk with air 2. Its a great BC. I dont know very much about BP/W although i saw somebody diving with one last weekend in Key West. Although I really like the BC I bought, I wish I would have spent a little more time researching that option.

 

[vladimir]

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/Cate...Sort_Stock/DescSort_0/Filter_1=300/SCPKH.html

 

[lenscraft]

BP/W stands for 'backplate & wings'. See the thread I started here.

(I'm a newbie too. A whole new set of acronyms to learn!)

 

[PerroneFord]

While the BP/W might fill the bill, this is ONE instance where I would say something like a Transpac might be better. Meets all the requirements, and they really are nice. If you don't really see yourself getting into tech diving, this may be one of the best options.

Though I have not seen the Apeks unit, those people who I know that have, have been fairly critical of them, and felt they looked "cheap" and were not well done. The Traspac is very nicely done. It's possible those people were wrong about the Apeks, so check it for yourself.

I'm not sure how plentiful Dive Rite products are in southern california either, so that might be a factor.

You might also look at Zeagle BCs. They fit the bill as well and are well made. They have integrated weights if that's what you want.

Best of luck in your choice.

 

[MRT2]

Thanks ALL for the input. As I see, that perhaps the APEKS isn't the best bet as of now?? From the input above, and quick research on just images alone, it appears that APEKS looks the most "minimal". When one speaks of BackPlate with Wings... (a very newbie question) but when visiting their site, am I assume to "put the package together". As in, I select the BackPlate, then Select the Lift of Wings, etc? Or is there just a BP/W set-up that already exists? Such as the link below. I'm leaning towards something that is essentially "Plus and Play". (Or should I take the time and customize my BC?)

http://www.apeks.co.uk/home_frameset.htm