Making the Right Choice

[NJDiver_34]

What a great site!!! I'm glad I found it!!!!

Let me start by saying that at the start of summer I completed my open water cert. and have recently completed my advance open water. Before I had my check out dives I purchased a Decor Sportster BC so that I would'nt have to use the rental junk that I had been using in the pool. My decision to purchase this bc was an economic one and in addition, I wanted to see if diving was for me before I went out and spent the big bucks. Well after a summer of diving off of the Jersey coast I realized that diving is fabulous!!! Now I want to buy a bc that I can grow with. The decision however has been complicated. There are as many opinions as there are bc's. Maybe this will help. I intend to concentrate mostly on wreck diving which is very common off the coast of NJ and on occasion going to warmer waters in the carribian. I have been considering the SeaQuest Black Diamond or the Zeagle Tech as possible options. Should I scrap these options and go with a backplate and wings?? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[TexasMike]

First off, let me welcome you to ScubaBoard, the ScubaSource Network, Neptune Divers, Int'l, and everything else that our hosts, Lady Diver and King Neptune are creating! We are glad you found us and hope that we will hear from you often.

We have had some good conversations regarding different BC's very recently and I urge you to check out the recent threads. There is some good information there.

Since you specified a desire to learn wreck diving, that obviously puts you on a bend towards Technical Diving...espeically off of the New Jersey shores. And you have already identified that you need a BC that lends itself to technical diving. Both BC's you mentioned (especially the Zeagle Ranger and the Tech) are good tech back inflate BC's that will handle all of your recreational dive profiles and much of your technical profiles. If you check our recent threads, you will see more information about this.

The BP/Wings setup is one of the best choices when you are doing serious technical diving. The reason is because this style of BC can be literally torn apart and refitted to suit the particular dive profile that you are currently attempting. Whether it be a simple pleasure dive, or entry into an overhead environment requiring schlepping major amounts of gear and packing enough gas to complete the objective and peform your deco stops. Look back through the recent threads on Backplate systems and you will see some good debate on these style BC's.

As my friend Marc Thompson (Tekdiver here on this board) is fond of saying, each bit of equipment is a tool. And the diver must select the correct tools to successfully complete the job (dive). So I encourage you to ask bombard us with plenty of questions so we can provide you with the information you need to select the right tool.

I look forward to you participation, and again, welcome to our little corner of the web.

 

[Tavi]

Hi and Welcome to the Boards
I dive with a Dive Rite Transpac II. I wanted a BC that can change as my diving changes. You can check out Dive Rite here.
I have never tried a backplate and wings, but there is a lot of Info here on the boards about them.

Good luck in your decision making (yes it can be overwhelming with so many choices and opinions). :

Tavi

 

[The Chairman]

Originally posted by NJDiver_34
What a great site!!! I'm glad I found it!!!!

Welcome to the best board, Diving or otherwise on the NET!!! I hope you find as many dear friends and learn as much as I have since I found the best surface interval this side of the Carribean.

You are wise to make your decision slowly and with great care. Your BC will make or break your diving safety and enjoyment on any dive. Some soul searching will help you to determine the best route.

Although not a technical diver, I like the backplate and wings, but I LOVE my OMS IQ, which is a padded version of the same. Very comfortable in/out of the water and it sticks to my back like glue. It is also very configurable, and I use it for my recreational and will use it with my trechnical diving classes. Ask your local LDSs to allow you to try various BCs and see which one YOU are comfortable with. It is not completely cut and dried, and the only person you HAVE to please is yourself!!!

:tease:

 

[Liquid]

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?threadid=3542

Than shoot away the rest of your question.

P.S-
Wreck-diving doesn't have to be a "tech" dive, as long as it does not include penetration. All of the agencys have a wreck specialty, that deals with the way one should dive around a wrek, the use of wheels with threads (whats the english name for it?) and so on.

If one wants to penetrate, or to go deeper than recretational depths, or longer than recreational times (i.e decompression dives) only than it becomes "tech" diveing.

 

[Lost Yooper]

To answer your question -- yes. There's a lot discussions going on regarding BP's and wings.

Welcome.

Mike

 

[roakey]

NJDiver, I'd also point you to this thread:

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?threadid=3461

Liquid, "reels" and "spools" are what "line" is wound on.

A reel (http://www.extreme-exposure.com/images/reel_01_pt.jpg) has a handle and a "crank" to help you take up the line quickly, and a spool (http://www.extreme-exposure.com/images/spools_pt.jpg) is a simple device that stores line without any moving parts.

I find it amazing that ANYONE can learn English as a second language, we have more exceptions than rules! Congratulations.

Roak

 

[Liquid]

I had to know these words.

P.S-
It's easy to learn english, aspecialy becouse everybody here does it, starting fourth grade. Personaly I find knowing english a great advantage, becouse, among other things, I like readin, and the best selction and best prices are in english.

 

[joewr]

NJdiver_34,

Actually, I am a rec diver, but since you cannot see how it is spelled when I say it, I can really impress people: "Yep, I am a rec diver!"

At any rate, welcome to the Board; sounds like you have found the place where your kindred souls come to share experiences. The subject of BC's and wings/backplates is one that you can get lots of info on here. Info backed by experience!

I have friends who do all that wreck diving off the Northeast Coast and I know why psychiatrists are in such demand there! Just kidding! So welcome aboard from a self professed candy as_ diver who thinks that 74 deg F is cold and that lift bags are the plastic things they put your groceries in at the supermarket!


Joewr--who thinks the best of both worlds is Truk where the wrecks are neat and the water is warm!

 

[NJDiver_34]

Hey thanks guys for all your help on the issue. And I appreciate the kind welcome!!! I have looked around some of the LDS and have come to realize that most if not all are only interested in selling the line they represent. Its difficult to find thoughtful yet honest opinions there.
I'm going to be doing a rather technical wreck dive next week and it will be done at night. I was hoping to purchase my BC before then and do a dive in the inlet to check it out before going on the night dive. Any immidate recomondations will be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks guys