Looking for a bcd or bp/w need help?

[socaldiver65]

I am in the market for a new bc. I have a friend that is all about DIR and says go with the bp/w setup. I do want to simplfy things so it sounds like a good idea, but I have a another friend who recommended a Dive Rite Trans PacII. Which is like a bp/w but it has no bp , but it simplfy's things. I just want a bc that I grow with and both recommendtions sound good. I guess it is will either be bp/w or a soft pack with a wing. Now once I decide on a bc which wing" size " would be good for me. I'm 5'7 230 I wear about 20 pounds of lead now.
Thanks a fellow diver.

 

[Wendy]

What size tank do you use and do you dive wet or dry?

 

[socaldiver65]

What size tank do you use and do you dive wet or dry?

I dive wet and with a steel lp 95

 

[divad]

I am in the market for a new bc. I have a friend that is all about DIR and says go with the bp/w setup. I do want to simplfy things so it sounds like a good idea, but I have a another friend who recommended a Dive Rite Trans PacII. Which is like a bp/w but it has no bp , but it simplfy's things. I just want a bc that I grow with and both recommendtions sound good. I guess it is will either be bp/w or a soft pack with a wing. Now once I decide on a bc which wing" size " would be good for me. I'm 5'7 230 I wear about 20 pounds of lead now.
Thanks a fellow diver.

Why haven't you tried your DIR-friend's bp/w? Its way less bulky and convoluted than the other thing. It dries a lot faster too.

 

[socaldiver65]

Why haven't you tried your DIR-friend's bp/w? Its way less bulky and convoluted than the other thing. It dries a lot faster too.

It is in the works to borrow a bp/w set up and try it out. The dive right trans pac II is just like a bp/w. That is where I am undecided. I am going to try out both types of bcs.

 

[simbrooks]

One of my dive buddies just changed from a transpac to a BP/W, he is happier with it. The Transpac has some extra padding and a soft back unlike the BP and harness. You probably dont need the padding with all that neoprene you are wearing!! I am guessing 7mm (possibly even FJ) for all that weight including the steel tank. IF you got a SS BP (even a heavier/thicker one - like FredT offers with a weighted STA) you could shift some of that weight off your belt onto your back and only have to carry a fraction of what you once were on the belt. Just a thought, you wouldnt be able to shift that weight off you belt with the transpac. IF you were previously using a jacket or other padded BC and switched to a SS BP (-6#) you might drop 8# off your weight belt. I know i took my SS BP to SoCal when i went diving there, only needed 12# with the BP for my 5mm etc on an AL80. Your choice though.

 

[sb_diver]

I just bought one of cool_hardware52's BP/W's. His website is www.deepseasupply.com. His harness isn't DIR, because of the plastic buckles on it but you can put a 1 piece harness on it too if you want to go the DIR route. I love the BP/W though, its so much more comfortable and streamlined compared to my old Jacket BC. The wing on my BP has 30 lbs of lift. I dive w/ around 12 lbs of lead and a 5 lb plate w/ 8 lbs of extra weights on the plate(~25 lbs) with a wetsuit. Happy BC hunting.

Thomas

 

[hoopa]

Well i just went through what your going through now, and here is what i ended up with.

Started out with a bp/w setup-- i did like the feeling of how minimal it was and yet still got the job done very well-- but didnt like the feeling of where the waiste strap was hitting me=-- around my belly button and no matter what i did i couldnt get it where i wanted it(lower around belt line).. Then tried a transpac2-- didnt like that cause i didnt really like the feel and fit and i also wanted to be able to use a bp with the pack so i could pull lead off my waiste and spread it out== and also get more support for larger tanks..I ended up with a oms iq pack and so far really like it-- very comfy-- and you can use or not use a bp with it=-=depending on what your doing. i ended up getting the halcyon acb weight pouch's so i didnt need to have a weight belt on -- also really like that system... As for Bladder-- i started out with the oms 100lb lift dual bladder cause i was going to go into some cave diving classes and was told what was what i would need-- but when that whole thing was canceled i wanted to get something a bit smaller and not such crazy lift= so i got the diverite req wing-- 50lbs of lift and really liked it... But now the bladder im horney for is the oxychek 45 ss bladder--- all i have talked to love that bladder. I love the idea of the doughnut shape--air can move around any way you like and never get caught==very cool. So that is what i will be ending up with

oms iqpack
halcyon acb 20
6# ss plate
oxychek 45ss bladder

goodluck--ps sorry for the spelling im off to bed --lol

 

[DementialFaith]

Thomas' buoyancy system is awesome.... deciding between that and oms right now. Another question: Do the tech-wing/plate systems have quick drop for integrated weight pockets? Doesn't seemed like it on the catalog.

 

[The Chairman]

I own a Hogarthian style BP & Wings... and it is great for doubles but I HATE it for singles.

But I agree with SB Diver! I just got the Kyvek BP from www.DeepSeaSupply.com and am VERY impressed. No I don't say that often! For a single tank it is truly a god send. I use an HP120 and need no weight in either salt or fresh. Steel BPs make me just a tad heavier than I am comfortable with. This one ROCKS. I also like his straps... including the plastic buckles. All of his hardware is "water cut" and far easier to work with than most (I have a gimp right hand). Two thumbs up from NetDoc!