I need Help

[SandyUT]

I am a lucky guy. My fiance wants to get me either a regulator or a BC for Valentines day.

I think the BC would be easier as it is a single item - the budget does not include gauges, octo, etc. either.

So - I am not all that familiar with brands or what is good. I could use some recomendations and ideas to shoot her way so I get somthing good.

I will keep reading posts on the topic, let me know what you think.

Thanks

 

[Clanggedin]

Scubatoys has some good deals and you get a 10% discount on all items since your are a scubaboard member. I would suggest either the orange riptide zone or their new BP/W setup thats under $300 for the whole sha-bang minue cambands.

 

[dkatchalov]

Firstly, can I have your fiance? I.e. - one that wants me to get scuba gear?

Seriously though, the answer to your question depends on the sort of diving you will be doing in the future / currently are doing. My person opinion and (limited) experience is that a bp/w is the best setup for any diver. The reasons why can be found on many threads here on SB and I won't repeat them here.

Having said the above though, a lot of folks who are diving a handful of times a year (i.e. on vacation), who do a lot of warm-water, good-vis, no current diving may prefer a normal, inexpensive jacket BC for under $300. Why? You don't have to put it together and then spend 3 or 4 dives getting it right. It is often easier to get in and out of. It is softer, more padded (not necessarily more comfortable though) than a bp/w.

If you do think you will progress to tech, cave, deco diving then I strongly recommend you get a bp/w rig. Get used to the gear now, learn how to handle it in the water so when you do more advanced training you don't have to worry about learning new gear as well (ok you will have to learn SOME new gear - manifold, long hose, etc but not as much if you already use a bp/w rig).

 

[dkatchalov]

Actually, I don't know your budget, but I would get a reg set first. Depending on what regs you use and if you rent them and the quality of the rental regs, you may be safer with owning your own regs.

A BC failure can often be overcome by swimming to the surface and treading water/orally inflating if required. A reg failure can be more serious, particularly if you or your buddy are off like a rocket and are about 20metres from each other when the failure occurs.

I got my BC first myself, but the quality of the rental regs made me wish I bought the regs first instead.YMMV.

 

[SandyUT]

This is all good info - waht is a bp/w rig? Sorry for this question if it is completely obvious - I missed it.

This is a tough area - there are such vast cost and option differences I am habving a hard time finding a place to start. I am thinking BC based on the fiance budget - this is no where near the cost of a reg, oct and gauges. 20 years ago I worked at a scuba shop and did all of the servicing there. at that time Sherwood was the best thing we had, I just have no clue where to start now.

As for the uses of the said gear - we currently get in one week long trip per year and intend to increase that to two week long trips per year - warm water only.

Thanks for all your help and ideas.

 

[dkatchalov]

This is all good info - waht is a bp/w rig? Sorry for this question if it is completely obvious - I missed it.

This is a tough area - there are such vast cost and option differences I am habving a hard time finding a place to start. I am thinking BC based on the fiance budget - this is no where near the cost of a reg, oct and gauges. 20 years ago I worked at a scuba shop and did all of the servicing there. at that time Sherwood was the best thing we had, I just have no clue where to start now.

As for the uses of the said gear - we currently get in one week long trip per year and intend to increase that to two week long trips per year - warm water only.

Thanks for all your help and ideas.

BP/W = backplate and wing. Consists of a harness, plate (usually metal - aluminium or steel, can be a softpack though - i.e. like a backpack), wing (this is your buoyancy compensator) and cam bands.

For warm water vacation diving, I'd probably recommend a jacket BCD instead of a bp/w. Less hassle to setup and fine tune and usually lighter (unless you get the soft backpack style, which is more expensive than a mid-range BC once you add wings, etc).

 

[dkatchalov]

BTW, before I joined the darkside and got a bp/w, I was seriously considering some of the Cressi BCDs. They have some great, light-weight travel models for around $300. Check them out on Leisurepro or Scubatoys.

 

[bottemdweller2]

Look at the Oceanic Islander I got one and is great. Scubastud16 has one for sale if it fits you I would make an offer. It is light stores easily and it is very comfy.

 

[bottemdweller2]

I don't know how much you are wanting to spend but look on the various websites you can find a lot of really good warm water regs for the price.
Scuba toys,
Joe Diver America
Leisure Pro .......

 

[Nick_W]

I don't know, dude. I have a hard time justifying buying gear for two trips a year. I guess if they're week long trips maybe....

If I had to choose between the two though, I'd say go for the regs. They travel better and, as has been mentioned, if I had to rent a piece of gear while on vacation I would personally rather rent the BC than the regs.

That's just me though.