LDS say not to go with bp/w

[Charlie99]

My LDS sells BP/W as well as more conventional BCs.

They don't throw people into the BP/W as a normal practice though.

I'm sure many are gonna say that's a matter of profit margin, but can anyone offer other theories?

Why don't you go ask, then report back here.

As I noted in my earlier post, 4 different people at 3 different shops all recommended BP/W for doubles, but BCD for singles. All 4 people dive BP/W with doubles, but BCD for singles. Only 1 of the 4, however, had ever dove a BP/W with a single tank.

It is clearly not a case where they were trying to steer me towards a higher profit margin sale. In a couple of cases, they could have sold me the BP/W and knew they wouldn't get the sale if I went with BCD.

The frustrating part of the whole experience is that none of the 4 individuals really had any solid rationale or explanation of their preference. They had a preference, but weren't clear in their own minds why. So ---- what's the reason your local guy has for steering people away from BP/W ???

 

[lowwall]

There is not some sort of natural progression from jacket to back-inflate to bp/w as you insinuate. The vast majority of divers are not interested in "tech" diving and therefore have little interest in bp/w's. That's one of the reasons why you see them so rarely.

I didn't insinuate anything. I said "the usual progression is jacket to back inflate to BP/W, with a sizeable percentage stopping at each stage." This simply means almost everyone starts with - and most stay with - jackets, some move on to back-inflates and a relative few of those will go to a bp/w.

Seem pretty obviously true to me. Have you seen a lot of people starting with something other than a jacket? Or back-inflate or BP/W owners ditching them for jackets?

 

[ScubaSarus]

The issue may be that I dont believe anyone can safely use doubles with a jacket style they are not really built to handle doubles. To go BP&W for a newbie is a big step but its in a good direction if done safely and you practice with your rig in safe conditions to get used to it. If you can afford it and practice with it safely and use it safely, Ide go BP&W.

Safety is the key.

 

[Web Monkey]

Get yourself a nice quality BP&Wing that fits you nicely, is weighted perfectly, easy to use and within your competentcy and you'll be soaring like a stingray down there.

You can do that with anything. In fact if you're properly weighted, you can do it with nothing.

Terry

 

[TSandM]

You can do that with anything. In fact if you're properly weighted, you can do it with nothing.

Diver0001 frequently weighs in on these threads, saying precisely that, and it's true. (Although some of the BCs I've seen that have no trim pockets make it a little more difficult.) Backplates ARE an easy way to move weight up onto one's back, however, and often, this is not a concept people have ever been introduced to.

There are other benefits to a BP/W, however, and quite a few have been discussed already.

 

[countryboy]

... 4 different people at 3 different shops all recommended BP/W for doubles, but BCD for singles. All 4 people dive BP/W with doubles, but BCD for singles. Only 1 of the 4, however, had ever dove a BP/W with a single tank.

It is clearly not a case where they were trying to steer me towards a higher profit margin sale. ...

Yes they are... they want to sell you a BP/W AND a Jacket BCD...!! YOU NEED BOTH cause they use BOTH...

 

[jonnythan]

Shops never want you to buy a BP/wing.

They want to sell you an entry-level BC, then a high-end BC, then a quasi-tech BC, then a tech BC, THEN a bp/w.

Duh.

 

[Downeast Diving]

Hmmm... This bothers me. You will probably see statements that have already been made here; however, I own a dive shop, and a 1/2 of another. I will not sell something that does not work. If the customer truely wants it then fine. Yet I will discuss with them, why, make alternative suggestions, and state the reasons why.
If I do not sell it in the shop, I can ususally get it. If I cannot, then I will tell them where they can. This all helps back a motto of ours that states "the right gear for the right dive".

The fact that you have asked the question here, shows you are not willing to "just accept". Good for you.

The optimum way to know is to try both configurations. For this you may have to rent for a while as you should try each more than once or twice. Having an experienced diver with you that is familiar with your configurations is a great help here.

Talk with other dive shops in your area, and even those not in you area. Take their perspectives and those of your bretheren here and combine them with your experiences. With the totality of everything, you will know you have made the right choice.

Pennies are important when starting out buying your dive gear. Your wallet, your ability to use, and your comfort wearing, are the primary concerns... these should be the concerns of the dive shop as well, not the making of the sale at that moment.

Dennis--

 

[Diesel298]

Hmmm... This bothers me. You will probably see statements that have already been made here; however, I own a dive shop, and a 1/2 of another. I will not sell something that does not work. If the customer truely wants it then fine. Yet I will discuss with them, why, make alternative suggestions, and state the reasons why.
If I do not sell it in the shop, I can ususally get it. If I cannot, then I will tell them where they can. This all helps back a motto of ours that states "the right gear for the right dive".

The fact that you have asked the question here, shows you are not willing to "just accept". Good for you.

The optimum way to know is to try both configurations. For this you may have to rent for a while as you should try each more than once or twice. Having an experienced diver with you that is familiar with your configurations is a great help here.

Talk with other dive shops in your area, and even those not in you area. Take their perspectives and those of your bretheren here and combine them with your experiences. With the totality of everything, you will know you have made the right choice.

Pennies are important when starting out buying your dive gear. Your wallet, your ability to use, and your comfort wearing, are the primary concerns... these should be the concerns of the dive shop as well, not the making of the sale at that moment.

Dennis--

gotta lotta compition up there do ya?
down here dive shops are cutthroat and most will outright lie for a sale rather than admit they dont know, and or send somone to another shop...
BTW how long you been open up there
im glad to see a shop in that area again.
next time im up there ill have to stop on by..

 

[countryboy]

Hmmm... This bothers me. You will probably see statements that have already been made here; however, I own a dive shop, and a 1/2 of another. I will not sell something that does not work. If the customer truely wants it then fine. Yet I will discuss with them, why, make alternative suggestions, and state the reasons why.
If I do not sell it in the shop, I can ususally get it. If I cannot, then I will tell them where they can. This all helps back a motto of ours that states "the right gear for the right dive".

The fact that you have asked the question here, shows you are not willing to "just accept". Good for you.

The optimum way to know is to try both configurations. For this you may have to rent for a while as you should try each more than once or twice. Having an experienced diver with you that is familiar with your configurations is a great help here.

Talk with other dive shops in your area, and even those not in you area. Take their perspectives and those of your bretheren here and combine them with your experiences. With the totality of everything, you will know you have made the right choice.

Pennies are important when starting out buying your dive gear. Your wallet, your ability to use, and your comfort wearing, are the primary concerns... these should be the concerns of the dive shop as well, not the making of the sale at that moment.

Dennis--

You need to have a good attitude like yourself to have a competitive dive shop in Maine.. since the dive season is only 2 months without ice on the lakes..

(spent many years in Aroostook County)

Only 2 seasons in Maine.. Winter and mud.