Indecisive and Analytical, Am I ready?

[diverjen]

I have been going back and forth about whether to post, but it can't hurt, right?

I have started gearing up. I am a new diver, with about 25 dives, been on two dive trips and been certified for about 18 months. I live in Colorado so the local diving (for me anyway) is limited to pools year round and some small ponds/lakes in the summer. I have family/friends in areas with some diving as well, but I mostly would be traveling to warm water destinations. I have been scouring the boards for months trying to learn what I can about bc setups. I am tired of wearing ill fitting rentals. I was looking for used, but with some possible dives coming up and some Christmas money in my pocket I am getting itchy to get something. I don't need the cheapest option but I don't want to pay a lot more for not really much difference in quality/design/features. Based on my research, I think I would be a candidate for a bpw.

Factors that I think are in favor of bpw:
I am a girl and have problems finding traditional jacket BCs to fit me well.
Along those lines, I would like a stream lined setup where I don't have a lot of chest obstruction.
I am the type of person whose weight fluctuates and I want a BC that will be adjustable if I am up or down in size
I will be traveling so I would like something easy to pack.
I am a new diver so my diving needs may change - thus something modular may be better in the long run.

Factors that I think are not in favor of bpw:
I do not have a local mentor that can help me with setup, thus I will be dependent on videos, pictures, etc
I am worried about quick release or getting out of the bc in a hurry, learning adjustments, etc
My LDS does not sell bpw in store, but I could probably order something through them (Zeagle, Apeks, Scubapro)
Everywhere I have gone, I have not been able to rent a bpw to try it out in person.

The contenders:

Deep Sea Supply - called Tobin and talked and he suggested a stainless steel setup with a Torus 26lb wing. From my research here it seems as though you get a lot of bang for your buck with these setups, they seem to be good quality for a good price. It also sounds as though the plates are low profile. I also like that I could get the glide adapter eventually if I couldn't get over the lack of quick release.

Halcyon - There is a local dealer here (not my LDS). The two drawbacks I have found on here is the price, and also the connection of the wing to back plate requiring screws and being a"PITA". I do like buying local and I like that dive shop.

Zeagle Express Tech - I could order this through the LDS. Very reasonably priced. The quality of the harness accessories (plastic buckle and Drings) is lower and I would probably want to upgrade that but with the price so low, I am not sure that it would matter. I am not sure how I feel about a soft back plate, as I wear enough weight that a ss black might be nice for me.

Other: There seem to be some great deals out there, like the DRIS Single Tank BP/W. I like the idea of no STA though.

Anyway, I thought I would send this out if only to write down these thoughts in my head and try to see if you guys had any last minute thoughts or suggestions I had not considered. I am pretty much sold on the DSS setup based on my research here.

Thank you for your advice/suggestions/experience.

 

[rhwestfall]

Either DSS or DR would not be a bad choice, and an economical one too. Tobin is very helpful, and DR is just plan user friendly. (I actually have a DSS plate, DR harness, and a HOG wing). Have you looked at HOG? Give Lapenta a e-mail or PM.....

You don't need to pay for the "H" or the "SP".........

QR is "over rated" - I bought a QR harness due to a medical condition, but have not used it much at all. Just "food for thought".

 

[BVickery]

Don't sell the local Dive scene short as far as mentor for BP/W. I am not sure where in CO you are, but know of a few divers on the board in that area, and think they use BP/W (though not 100% sure).

As far as make, trust me, if your new, Tobin at DSS would be the one. The gentleman stands behind his product, wont sell you something you don't need and if you have questions, he is there to answer them.

 

[halocline]

Go for the DSS, you won't regret it, and if by some bizarre chance you do, you'll be able to sell it easily. I'm sure there are many BP/W users in the Denver area, it's just a matter of finding one. However, putting it together and adjusting is a piece of cake, and you'll have thousands and thousands of helpful gents on this forum to give you advice in excruciating detail. Tobin is an expert and will advise you accordingly. The gents....who knows!

There are many great things about a rigid plate/small wing/webbing harness system for diving. The plate provides an excellent stable point of contact between your back and the cylinder, the steel provides ballast exactly where it should be, between the two sources of buoyancy, the small wing is very easy to vent and adjust for buoyancy while diving, and the webbing harness essentially disappears in the water, leaving your chest and torso refreshingly un-cluttered in comparison to a jacket BC. Don't worry about a quick-release; in real life it's not necessary. You can get in/out of a standard one piece webbing harness rig easily when necessary.

Jacket BCs were designed to feel nice and comfy in the dive shop; too bad its almost an opposite environment to the one you actually use it in....

 

[Sol]

Agree with most of what's been posted already.

Only a couple of caveats: If there's any way you can try before you buy, even if it's only in a pool practice, do that. You may find that you like it, and then again, you may not.

I was lucky enough to have a gearhead friend willing to let me borrow his Halcyon BP/W. I like it a lot. More streamlined at depth, more freedom of movement, easy to adjust. Drawbacks: fewer attachment points, pushes you face-forward on the surface. I've used it for a few dives in Canada; was going to take it on a recent trip to Roatan but ended up not bringing it because I had a little trouble with the STA and would have run into a weight-limit problem.

The other thing to keep in mind is where you want to go with your diving. If you're thinking of going the DM/DI route, you may find that your LDS wants you to wear the same kind of gear as the people you'll be teaching, which almost certainly means a jacket BCD.

 

[Bellaco]

DSS gets my vote as well. Awesome product. As far as I know they are the only company that sells different sized backplates. That will come in handy if you need something other than the "normal" sized backplates. Also, the integrated STA makes a world of difference. I have a stainless plate with a 17#Torus wing & will be purchasing another higher capacity wing for cooler water very soon.

A side point, if you are properly weighted, you will only need to partially inflate your wing to stay afloat. This will prevent the faceplant that happens to some people who dive stab jackets before switching to a bp/w.

 

[diversteve]

One of our mods has a couple different bp/w's. (Hog and Salvo) - [user]boulderjohn[/user]

And multiple instructor credentials - you might be able to arrange to meet nearby for advice/fitting.

 

[fnfalman]

Pick whichever brand of BPW you like and go for it. It's a BC and not a jetfighter. It doesn't require any special training or mentorship to use a BPW. You may need a coach/mentor to help improve your diving skills, but not for using a BPW.

Getting in and out of a BPW is just like with all other BCs, quickness comes with familiarity of equipment. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast. When you're familiar with your equipment, then you can quickly don and doff the BC.

 

[diverjen]

Thank you guys for your feedback. I placed the DSS order tonight!

I would love to meet more local divers and have no doubt that there must be some bpw folks out here I just haven't made it to the local dive meet ups.

 

[farsidefan1]

I'm betting Boulderjohn would love to help you get fitted. Just kidding, He is one of our most knowledgeable posters and always seems ready to answer questions. PM him