Long time away from diving, new BC recommendations?

[eldiablojoe]

Okay, I haven't dived much since the early '90s. My old U.S. Diver's Calypso BC is wayyyyy toooo small for me now.

I'm shopping around to replace it (was thinking a ScubaPro Knighthawk), but am now hearing about Zeigles and BP/Ws.

Can someone enlighten me (objectively please) re: the differences?

Thanks!

EDJ

 

[Splitlip]

Well, I had a nicely detailed reply going when my PC farted and I lost it.

In a nutshell: BCD preferences are very personal and and subjective.
You should try before you buy unless you can afford to buy em dive em sell em and move on.

There are back inflates, "vests", horse collars, BPW's (back inflate) and IMO in a class by itself the Scubapro Classic with it's magic bubble to consider. Inherent buoyancy, padding (which adds to inherent buoyancy), weight intergration, hard or soft back pack etc are all variables.

I would see if you like back inflates or "vests" and also try a classic. Narrow it down from there. If you think you are sold on back inflation and are considering Zeagle, they are adjuctable and modular but with a soft back pack and somethings you may not need. The Knight hawk has a hard back pack, is adjustable but not modular. The BPW has a hard back pack, is infinitely adjustable and "more" modular. You can dive singles wiht wings from 17 to 50 (not recomended) #s. With the same harness and plate you can dive doubles and more with wings from 40 to 90 pounds. Mix and match manufacturers etc.

 

[beanojones]

[WIKI][/WIKI]

The BPW has a hard back pack, is infinitely adjustable and "more" modular. You can dive singles wiht wings from 17 to 50 (not recomended) #s. With the same harness and plate you can dive doubles and more with wings from 40 to 90 pounds. Mix and match manufacturers etc.

One other thing that the Harness and wings has going for it is the fact that a ripped bladder just means you need a new bladder, not a whole new BCD.

Note: I use a TransPac which is not really a BP/W, but is kind of like it.

 

[John_B]

If you had a BP/W and one day you pulled it out to find it was "wayyyyy toooo small" you'd only need about 15 feet of 2" webbing to fix it, at a cost of about $10 to $15. Something to think about for the future.

I'm personally a huge fan of DSS BP/Ws, as are a lot of other SBers. Reasonably priced and outstanding customer service. Tobin is available on SB and will patiently answer your questions (online or by phone) and get you into a BP/W that's right for the type of diving you do and won't hurt your wallet.

 

[Dive-aholic]

Check out the Scuba Gear FAQs link on my website for an explanation of the different types of BCs.

 

[eldiablojoe]

Dive-a-holic. Thanks for the tip, I'm checking out your site now.

John-B, thanks for letting me know about DSS and Tobin, I'm going to PM him right away.

EDJ