Looking to buy first kit; pressure from LDS (Sydney, Australia)

[sucnip]

Hi all. First time poster, so thanks in advance for your advice. I'm a recreational diver with around 40 dives, most in a rented Aqua Lung Wave BCD. I want to buy my first kit, mainly to avoid the per dive rental costs. I dive mostly in Sydney, Australia (18-24 degrees, 5 mm wetsuit (plus) year round) and warm water tropical holidays.

I've never tried a back inflate BCD before so this past weekend I tried out my instructor's SeaQuest Balance BCD. This was also my first experience with a weight integrated BCD. Overall, the Balance was the most comfortable BCD I've ever worn. Trim wise I didn't notice much difference underwater. At the surface I did get pushed forward when I stoped moving, but it wasn't an issue with small leg movements. I do miss having large pockets for storing a camera and torch.

When I got back to the shop the high pressure sale began. My LDS recently switched all their rental gear from AL to Tusa. They are pushing a new package right now consisting of a Tusa Cubic Jacket BCD (model 5500), Duo Airsource, Tusa rs-240 reg and gauges. To further complicate things they were accidentally shipped one Tusa 5900 back inflate BCD they tried to sell me at the same price. The price is good for a LDS, and only a few hundred off the LP USA price. Has anyoe had any experiences with the Tusa 5900 BCD or RS-240 reg? I walked out of the shop with two impressions about the Tusa BCD: 1. it appeared very well made and 2. heavy!

I have never tried a BP/wing and don't envision myself getting into doubles in the future. Can anyone comment on the possibility of buying a DiveRite TPII and travel wing for single tank recreational use? How would it compare to the Balance BCD?

Cheers,
David

 

[CincyBengalsFan]

sucnip once bubbled...
Hi all. First time poster, so thanks in advance for your advice. I'm a recreational diver with around 40 dives, most in a rented Aqua Lung Wave BCD. I want to buy my first kit, mainly to avoid the per dive rental costs. I dive mostly in Sydney, Australia (18-24 degrees, 5 mm wetsuit (plus) year round) and warm water tropical holidays.

I've never tried a back inflate BCD before so this past weekend I tried out my instructor's SeaQuest Balance BCD. This was also my first experience with a weight integrated BCD. Overall, the Balance was the most comfortable BCD I've ever worn. Trim wise I didn't notice much difference underwater. At the surface I did get pushed forward when I stoped moving, but it wasn't an issue with small leg movements. I do miss having large pockets for storing a camera and torch.

When I got back to the shop the high pressure sale began. My LDS recently switched all their rental gear from AL to Tusa. They are pushing a new package right now consisting of a Tusa Cubic Jacket BCD (model 5500), Duo Airsource, Tusa rs-240 reg and gauges. To further complicate things they were accidentally shipped one Tusa 5900 back inflate BCD they tried to sell me at the same price. The price is good for a LDS, and only a few hundred off the LP USA price. Has anyoe had any experiences with the Tusa 5900 BCD or RS-240 reg? I walked out of the shop with two impressions about the Tusa BCD: 1. it appeared very well made and 2. heavy!

I have never tried a BP/wing and don't envision myself getting into doubles in the future. Can anyone comment on the possibility of buying a DiveRite TPII and travel wing for single tank recreational use? How would it compare to the Balance BCD?

Cheers,
David

I've done both. The seaquest and Tusa are both great BC's. The TUSA comes with a lifetime warranty on the BC though and I don't know of any BP/Wings that have that. The TUSA 5900 we use in the rivers in the Kentucky area for commercial work like water intake repair, and boat work. Nothing to major. It's a hellavu BC. They make another BC the 4900 that is a little simpler but still has the bladder in the rear. Maybe consider that if you don't need all the D-rings.

They don't make Regs. but they have ScubaPro, and Aires (Oceainic) and maybe one other make their regs for them. So their regs are great too.

Their warranties are outstanding. So, I think you will be satisfied with purchasing either SeaQuest or TUSA but I was referring to TUSA in my above statements.

 

[Jambi]

Hi sucnip! welcome to SB,
AS for the BCDs your LDS is selling, ask them if they will let you dive the BCDs and see what you like. Rent both, the 5500 and the 5900 at the same time then dive both the same day see what you like or if there is for you, much of a difference. Heck borrow the Seaquest and dive all three the same day and compare. Remeber buy what you want and like, not what they want you to buy. LDS always "like" what they sell .Just my $0.02.

Jambi

 

[victoriawtx]

and do as much research as you can on the BC (jacket or BP/W) you are interested in purchasing, before you buy anything. Many of us have closets full of dive gear that we purchased when we first got into diving, that soon was replaced by items that we later realized would better suit our needs.

Scubaboard is a great resource. I would suggest that you do some searches around on the forums to read what opinions people have about a piece of equipment you are considering. I learned more from scubaboard, and the the wonderful divers here, than I ever learned from a dive shop.

That way, you can get honest opinions, without the money-driven pressure that you are getting from the dive shop.

Read everything you can, research everything, and talk to anyone that will listen to you. LOL And try things out first if you can, before you buy. You want your equipment to be something that is of good quality, and will suit your needs for (hopefully) a long time. And gear is expensive, so choose wisely.

And, a BP/W works just as well as a jacket BC for recreational and single tank use. It's all in what's comfortable for you.

Good luck!

 

[Gator Diver]

I agree, do as much research as you can
and also see if your LDS will let you test
dive the setup he is pushing

I own a Balance and as far as back
inflate BCDS go, I like....I am saving
up to get my own back/wings however because
I prefer its feel in the water

Good luck!!