runsongas
Contributor
are you looking at single tank wings only? with single tank donuts, a right butt dump is somewhat superfluous
Looking for my first BC
- Thread starter axluba
- Start date
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Yes yes, single tank only! You mean that I don’t need any butt dump ? I like having that possibility when I’m horizontal (as a reminder I can’t easily use the left one because I don’t have a left hand)
If I go the bcd way then the choice is fairly unlimited because they all seem to have right shoulder and butt dump. I’ll definitely give them a look!
runsongas
Contributor
Don't worry! not the most common thing
. Is flipping the wing doable? they seem to have an asymmetrical design.I sent an e-mail to a European manufacturer (DareToDive) to see if they can change the side. (I like there 14L wing, and the color options are fun)
"worst case" the mares xr is still a good option.
runsongas
Contributor
it is doable for most. exceptions would be setups where you need the anti roll bars and the apeks/oxycheq wings that don't lend well to being flipped. dive rite, halcyon, agir all can be flipped in a pinch.
I can't find any single tank wings with a RH dump valve. It seems your choices are a stripped down back inflate like the ScubaPro Litehawk, finding someone to customize a standard wing, or flipping a singles wing.
Maybe start with a back inflate? The only thing you give up is ability to have a chunk of weight on your back to compensate for cold-water wetsuits/drysuits. You can always continue to use it for warm water diving even if you go with a steel BP/W (and maybe small doubles) for cold water. Basic ones are similar in price to a decent wing and (IMO) you want basic, paying for extra options just increases the bulk or gives you stuff you don't need. Here's an article discussing and reviewing recent back inflates from a British mag: THE BEST BACK-INFLATE BCDS - DIVE Magazine . You can see EU pricing for most of these at Divestock: Jackets/Vests - Buoyancy Compensators - Scuba
Maybe start with a back inflate? The only thing you give up is ability to have a chunk of weight on your back to compensate for cold-water wetsuits/drysuits. You can always continue to use it for warm water diving even if you go with a steel BP/W (and maybe small doubles) for cold water. Basic ones are similar in price to a decent wing and (IMO) you want basic, paying for extra options just increases the bulk or gives you stuff you don't need. Here's an article discussing and reviewing recent back inflates from a British mag: THE BEST BACK-INFLATE BCDS - DIVE Magazine . You can see EU pricing for most of these at Divestock: Jackets/Vests - Buoyancy Compensators - Scuba
thank you for the link! I'll explore those. a lot of them are models that I didn't find before so it's good!
As I said the only BP/W I found with right hand But dump valve (left side lp inflator isn't a problem) is this one:Silver Knight Single Backmount Set
I was just looking for options!
In a vacuum, your personal opinion would be to stick with a bcd like the Scubapro Seahawk 2/aqualung rogue or the mares above? (similar prices)
I would go with the BP/W and one-piece harness as opposed to any standard BC.
I prefer BP/W. FWIW, I use a steel backplate even for warm water diving and carry it on the plane so it doesn't count against my baggage weight allowance.
That said, the Mares Silver Knight looks like a very nice system. The only issue compared to a standard BP/W is the over long inflator, but that is probably an advantage in your case.
Padding is unnecessary underwater. Unless you are planning on hiking with the thing, I wouldn't bother. I dive shirtless with my unpadded backplate when the water is warm enough and never felt a need for padding. Trim pockets are easy to add. Take off the d-rings on the waist band, slide a trim pocket - Search results for: 'trim pockets' - all the way back to the plate on each side and then put the d-rings back. You will likely need more weight for cold water diving, your options are more pockets, a weight belt and/or switching the backplate to SS.
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