Is it really a good deal and don’t buy used especially when new to diving

[Happyladydiver]

BPW examples:
Halcyon Dive Systems

DGX BC Systems

There are other manufacturers as well

so I found a dive near me where I can rent a Halcyon harness and try it out! Score! Will do so.

I know some say keep it simple when first diving like on here and other places and I do understand the point. However, when it comes to purchasing a BCD I would rather get the most comfortable one I can so I don’t have to switch in a few years. They aren’t cheap and I don’t want to deal with it again for a long time. I don’t see the harm in renting one and learning how to use it sooner than later at the end of the day. I’m a pretty quick study and catch on fast to new things and concepts. So that’s my thoughts.

 

[formernuke]

so I found a dive near me where I can rent a Halcyon harness and try it out! Score! Will do so.

I know some say keep it simple when first diving like on here and other places and I do understand the point. However, when it comes to purchasing a BCD I would rather get the most comfortable one I can so I don’t have to switch in a few years. They aren’t cheap and I don’t want to deal with it again for a long time. I don’t see the harm in renting one and learning how to use it sooner than later at the end of the day. I’m a pretty quick study and catch on fast to new things and concepts. So that’s my thoughts.

Good plan, I was in my first BC for a few months before I discovered BPW, lucked out when I bought mine.

BPW is very popular here on SB, and honesty i prefer them, don't let that influence your decision. Go with what YOUR most comfortable in.

 

[Neilwood]

so I found a dive near me where I can rent a Halcyon harness and try it out! Score! Will do so.

I know some say keep it simple when first diving like on here and other places and I do understand the point. However, when it comes to purchasing a BCD I would rather get the most comfortable one I can so I don’t have to switch in a few years. They aren’t cheap and I don’t want to deal with it again for a long time. I don’t see the harm in renting one and learning how to use it sooner than later at the end of the day. I’m a pretty quick study and catch on fast to new things and concepts. So that’s my thoughts.

Good to hear your viewpoint.

That is why I said in my post that only you will know what works best for you. What I prefer is not necessarily what you might want and vice versa. I know lots of people who dive a jacket BCD and love it but it wasn't for me.

I will re-iterate my advice to try as many options as you can before buying. Bear in mind as well that how a system feels above water is not necessarily how it feels underwater and it is up to you to decide the pros and cons for you.

 

[Happyladydiver]

Good to hear your viewpoint.

That is why I said in my post that only you will know what works best for you. What I prefer is not necessarily what you might want and vice versa. I know lots of people who dive a jacket BCD and love it but it wasn't for me.

I will re-iterate my advice to try as many options as you can before buying. Bear in mind as well that how a system feels above water is not necessarily how it feels underwater and it is up to you to decide the pros and cons for you.

Thanks. I am really going to take my time this time around. I really dodged a bullet with that faulty one I bought but got my money back! I found another dive site in NSW that apparently had a range of gear to rent as well as the place near me that has the harnesses. I will try all I can before purchasing and trust I will make the right decision this next time around. I’m in no hurry now at all. I made a bad choice and it almost cost me. Buyer beware and all that. Whatever I buy, until I’m really savvy it will have to be new for me to feel comfortable and that’s that.

 

[StefinSB]

Another thing to consider is a backplate and wing set up or a hybrid back inflate set up such as these (link). They have the bladder at the rear so no squished feeling when inflated.

The reason I suggest it is that they have a lot less in the chest area and the waist strap is a lot smaller than the cummerbund. You can add pockets/ weight pockets to a BP&W if you wish or use a weightbelt.

Wow 3 Pages went by before the OP was pointed in the right direction. ;-)

 

[dmaziuk]

Wow 3 Pages went by before the OP was pointed in the right direction. ;-)

We were all privately betting on how long it can go before the B-word shows up.

 

[Happyladydiver]

I’m now going to do the dive near me where I can rent one far sooner as you all have me intrigued.

 

[divezonescuba]

I would suggest that you take someone with you that knows what they are doing.

A lot of people try one the first time and do not have it set up properly. A typical result is that they end up having their face pushed in the water on the surface and are foot heavy under the water.

we think that this is such an important issue that we dive with people who purchase a plate and wing from us to make sure they get in the ballpark.

 

[chillyinCanada]

A bpw is not always the answer.

I find it unfortunate that so few are dictating to so many.

 

[StefinSB]

A bpw is not always the answer.

I find it unfortunate that so few are dictating to so many.

You are right. In general, the correct answer is always “42”. When it comes to scuba, however, BP/W is second.