Looking into my first BC set up need suggestions

[bcsean]

rent and try as many different ones as you can. Try jacket, rear inflate, bp/wing. I personally did my OW in a jacket style, bought a zeagle tech (rear inflate) and have since upgraded to a bp/wing. the simplicity, durability, streamlined shape....

Can't honestly find one reason to go back to a standard BC.

 

[poisson]

I would suggest that you avoid the "tech" type BCs, they tend to be more sales BS than useful equipment.

Can you provide some examples of "tech" type BCs you are referring?

 

[zero333]

Thanks again everyone


Herman you helped me out a great deal with just that one post. I was wondering what, if any, the difference was between a BP&W vs a BI now i know quite well. I have too look into it more but i was stearing towards a BI anyway.

I like the idea of a BP&W set up but being a novice i do not think i am going to try to just go out and throw one togeather, something tells me that if i go that route I am going to have to do alot more reading and research.

-Pete

 

[bcsean]

a BP/wing setup is pretty simple. Just figure out what weight you need, how much lift you need, and start reading.

I had a BI and it just didn't fit the same. Flopped around, the horseshoe type wing never transfered air side to side properly if I was moving around, and who needs 8 d-rings? Plastic buckles can break mid trip, and I'd rather not carry a pile of extra parts if I don't need to.

I went BP/wing due to simplicity, getting the weight off my hips and up onto my body where it belongs, and honestly, it was cheaper. Do some more research here, and try to dive both BI and BP/wing before you buy anything.

 

[WVMike]

UM, or not. The only thing I would agree with you there is dual tank bands.

Is a BP/Wings rig not weight integrated?

With a six pound BP and then STA and tank weights, seems this is integrating alot of weight into the BC and off the belt.

Halycon's latest is ditchable weight pockets to attach to the harness.

Wondering what the difference is?

Mike

 

[Boogie711]

Is a BP/Wings rig not weight integrated?

With a six pound BP and then STA and tank weights, seems this is integrating alot of weight into the BC and off the belt.

Halycon's latest is ditchable weight pockets to attach to the harness.

Wondering what the difference is?

Mike

OK, sure, if you want to consider it that way, it's weight integrated. Whatever. I have a 12 lb plate/STA combo, but I still wear a belt. I was just thinking you meant "had to have pockets to put weight in." But OK, it's weight integrated...

In answer to the original question - there's only one BC which will fit anyone, anywhere, for just about any dive situation. There's only one system that will work for a technical dive with dual tanks and stage bottles, or for a 20 foot reef dive or a local quarry.

Get a backplate and wing - you won't regret it.

 

[WVMike]

Get a backplate and wing - you won't regret it.

Only time will tell, I hope it is not another SCUBA purchase that is not as avertised. I am taking the word of all the people on the board like yourself that swear by them.

Actually I am saving my lunch money right now to get a bp/wing. In the meantime my original jacket BC is keeping me in the water. I also wear a belt but occasionally put a few weights in the pockets.

Mike

 

[CHUD]

One thing that baffles me is this: If a bp/w setup is so minimalistic, why the heck are they so expensive? I mean, it's just nylon webbing and a hunk of metal with a bladder, right? So what justifies the multi-hundred dollar price tag?

 

[Boogie711]

Where are you looking at a backplate and wing for multi-hundreds of dollars? Maybe a Halcyon Stainless Steel, but plates are plates.

Like BCSean pointed out... you can put together a backplate and wing for cheaper than a regular BC.

 

[WVMike]

Where are you looking at a backplate and wing for multi-hundreds of dollars? Maybe a Halcyon Stainless Steel, but plates are plates.

Like BCSean pointed out... you can put together a backplate and wing for cheaper than a regular BC.

Full setup BP/Wings

Halycon from Extreme Exposures $485.00 to $595.00

Oxycheck from COVCI $435.00 to $565.00

Jacket BCs from Scubatoys $159.00 to $448.00

Help me out here, where are you guys putting them together for cheaper than a regular BC? Cause I am looking to buy.

It also appears from the two above sources you need one wing for singles and another for doubles.

Mike