looking for first BCD...thoughts on this?...

[PTscubapirate]

Amazon has a Tusa Liberator Sigma II for $225 which is in my budget. I prefer jacket style as it's what i'm most comfortable with and would prefer to get plenty of dives under my belt before buying something different. I also like integrated weight systems and lots of pocket space.

I've heard these are a bit bulky though...

Found this Zeagle on ebay too

and while apparently it's a more "advanced" setup (and 2x the price but on a killer deal right now), i've heard nothing but good things about the aqualung axiom i3

So any other recommendations on jacket style BCD's with integrated weights that wont break the bank??

Thank you in advance for the help

 

[saxman242]

There are many reasons to avoid the i3 system. Heard too many horror stories of the inflator lever getting caught on kelp and inadvertently filling the bc.

 

[diversteve]

Everybody has the Tusa for $225.

Leisurepro - your Zeagle link - has about 10 options in that price range. A couple of them might be discontinued - Buoyancy Compensators buy at LeisurePro

That particular Zeagle is a buy-out - Zeagle was all back-inflate for years then started offering jackets a few years ago.

I personally do not recommend I3 equipped BCD's as there's only one place to get them serviced - your local Aqualung dealer. Also although it seems cool to push a lever to go up/down - there's a lot of replaceable parts that make that work. Even the manual inflator is a non-standard tube tucked into a pocket - someone needing to help you might struggle to find it.

You can also buy the Aqualung line with standard inflators - cheaper. If the I3 breaks somewhere there's no AL dealer nearby - you're renting. I know someone on the board with an I3 - he said as long as you remove/clean/maintain the mechanism yearly it works great.

My bc (Zeagle) is 12. I changed the inflator once about 5 years ago - only because I wanted their BX inflator since it makes flushing the bladder easy. It's seen the shop once since they offered a free 1st year service - since then I just keep it clean.

A diver here posted once that during a zodiac dive they piled all their gear in the middle and rode out. During the ride her I3 was repeatedly depressed by someone else's gear so she was about 1200psi down at the dive site. I'd also think it a snag point near any wreck with monofilament fishing line on it. I've had the weird experience of having a line I did not see run down my body on a dive before catching on a fin buckle.

my .02

 

[Aviyes]

Zeagle's back-inflate systems will provide the similar fit and feel that a jacket gives, but without the squeeze from the air bladder like on a jacket. Most come with an integrated weight system, though not the removable pocket type on most jacket-style BCDs. I bought a Zeagle Stiletto and have used it on ~50 dives over the last 2 years and love it.

 

[Diving Dubai]

I find there is a lot of negativity for the I3, a lot of it unwarranted with some rare scenarios of the inflator being inadvertently operated put forward as the norm. Which is unfair.

5 years ago I seriously considered the I3 for myself, but in the end went down the BP/W route.

All that said: With the benefit of hindsight and experience, choosing the I3 would not be something I would do today. @diversteve rightly points out the maintenance issue.

I have taught students on Rescue and PPB who do have their own I3's and the biggest drawback I find is that the I3 doesn't dump air as quickly as a conventional dump or inflator hose, which can be a disadvantage if they're having a fast ascent from losing buoyancy.

The normal Axiom (without the I3) is a fine BCD. I use one for teaching and occasional guiding/ fun dives. I find it comfortable, easy to assemble and easy to dive with.

I personally only use a max of 12# of lead with my thickest neoprene, and I put that in my rear trim pockets. On occasion I do use the integrated weight pockets but not for too much weight. I do carry excess lead in my side pockets to had to students.

So the advice from me, would be to choose the standard Axiom rather than the I3 based on personal experiences

 

[chillyinCanada]

My recommendation would be a compromise and check out the back inflate jackets (which I believe was also recommended earlier). Back inflate jackets like Zeagle and Scubapro Nighthawk and others, have pockets, integrated weights, generally do up the way you are used to but are superior to the standard jacket for diving. I started with a standard jacket before back inflates came out. Eventually, I tried the back inflate. As soon as I reached depth the very first dive on my new back inflate, I was overjoyed. The first few times on the surface, I wasn't as comfortable but the learning curve didn't take that long and I've never thought twice about it since.

 

[PTscubapirate]

Thank you all for the input, I appreciate it! I know there tends to be a push toward BP/W systems and I may go that route but I think I’m most comfortable with a jacket style right now. Not that I’m loaded with cash, but I can always get another BCD later after having tried a few BP/W’s out. More than likely i’ll Have one here in CA and one stored in FL since I have family out there. For now I’d rather be able to comfortably get under the water and enjoy myself.

I’ll keep looking at various options, but I appreciate the input so far!!! The i3 is probably out of the running now, so does anyone have anything specific to say about the Tusa??

Thanks!!!!

 

[herman]

Don't overlook a used BC. They show up all the time in for sale places- ie Craigs List- and you can often times get them fairly cheap. Don't get hung up in the "but it's used" BS, everything we dive is "used" after it's first time in the water, the only question is who used it last. BC's are simple, if they hold air for a reasonable time and the inflators/deflators work they are good to go and if some of the controls are defective, most of the time they can inexpensively repaired (as long as you avoid the odd balls as discussed above) . BCs last a long time if just a little care is taken with them, a little wear or fading is not a big deal. If you get a good price, odds are you can use it a few years and if you decide to move to a different one, you can get most if not all of your purchase price back by reselling it.

 

[PTscubapirate]

Don't overlook a used BC. They show up all the time in for sale places- ie Craigs List- and you can often times get them fairly cheap. Don't get hung up in the "but it's used" BS, everything we dive is "used" after it's first time in the water, the only question is who used it last. BC's are simple, if they hold air for a reasonable time and the inflators/deflators work they are good to go and if some of the controls are defective, most of the time they can inexpensively repaired (as long as you avoid the odd balls as discussed above) . BCs last a long time if just a little care is taken with them, a little wear or fading is not a big deal. If you get a good price, odds are you can use it a few years and if you decide to move to a different one, you can get most if not all of your purchase price back by reselling it.

Been looking, hard to find the style i’m Looking for right now but I scan Craigslist and eBay every day.

 

[Barnaby'sDad]

Been looking, hard to find the style i’m Looking for right now but I scan Craigslist and eBay every day.

What you're looking for is a pretty common BC style. Keep an eye on the classified section here. While people here tend to push BP/W (that's what I have), I've seen no shortage of the jacket style BC's in the for sale forum here.

In case you haven't stumbled into the classifieds yet...the link is below.

ScubaBoard's Classified Section