Mares Vector 1000 BC

[tinman]

I'm interested in opinions on the Mares Vector 1000 BCD as a starting BC. It apparently has 50 LBs lift and appears to be able to accomodate all my accessories. I don't see myself going beyond rec diving with no deco. Can this be enough lift if I should chose in future to go to a higher capacity metal tank, i.e. a poor man's Halycon/OMS alternative to double tank for a little longer rec dives in the 80-120 ft range? No problem opting for this if in future I go to a dry suit? All comments welcome. Great board by the way - best on the web that I've seen...

 

[exnewwavedivers]

This is one of the best products Mares has. I would even go as far as saying that this is their best product excluding fins.

The bladder is thick, big pockets that allows you to carry a lot of things... but remember, don't take stuffs that you won't use or not likely to use.

Inflator/deflator is easy to use. I've seen in a magazine review once that the only weakness with this model of BC is that relief valve that releases air at a slow rate when you pull the inflator hose. Of course this is rubbish. You have another relief valve on your right shoulder if you want to dump air quick.

I'd day, go for it!

 

[poolah]

I'm sorry but I don't think the Vector 1000 would be a good purchase. Mares makes good fins but their bc's do no more than fulfill aesthetic purposes. Yes, they do look good but functionality and diversity are constrained. The 50lbs of lift mentioned might be distributed around your body and not focused on the tank. Jacket style bc's also tend to constrict your movement underwater.

Try looking at a backplate/wing setup. This configuration keeps you streamlined underwater and the lift capacity is directed at the tank and not you. Also, the backplate's simplicity makes it diverse. Merely changing the wing adds more lift. And you can always attach niceties such as pockets, clips, d-rings, etc. It will adapt to whatever dive you make in the future be it tech, rec, with a drysuit or wet.

I don't think there is a such thing as a poor man's OMS/Halcyon/Dive Rite. Most jacket style BCs cost more if not just as much as a BP/wing setup. Just some opinions.

 

[Welshman]

Poolah

I think Mares make more than good fins. They have a good reputation for quality in all their products. You don't get the reputation they have for quality just from good fins.

Tinman

www.scubadiving.com has some useful comparison tests on BCs and other gear which you might want to check out.

 

[pt40fathoms]

I just purchased the Vector Platinum 2 weeks ago, and have logged 6 dives in it. 7mm wetsuit, Aluminum 80 tanks. Deepest dive was 96 ft. Although I have weight intergration, it is essentialy the same as the 1000. It performed perfectly. The ballance with the weight intergration was as good as it gets. I was able to hover inverted while working on a water intake line with no drift of tendancy to right itself. Bouyancy was so easy to control that I didn't have to think about it, freeing up my concentration to the task at hand. Making for a much safer and enjoyable dive. Even though is was almost like work.

Think of upgrading to the platinum?

Either way you will not regret the purchase.

 

[poolah]

Different schools of thought, i guess. Given, Mares' quality is a notch above other manufacturers. But nothing compares to the long term diversity of a backplate setup.
My girlfriend uses a vector 1000. She thinks it's a good bcbut solely for recreational purposes. I just find it lacking in certain advantages such as weight integration, etc.
Try looking at other options. Just my thoughts, don't want to sound prejudiced....

 

[exnewwavedivers]

Poolah, your opinion on which style of BC to purchase, while it is not entirely accurate, it is not applicable to everyone.

In purchasing equipment, one has to think of the types of diving activity this diver will most likely participate in.

For recreational diving purposes, a jacket style BCD works just fine. After logging over 1000 dives, I have absolutely no problem with my buoyancy using any type of BC... or even wings.

However, people who would eventually do real technical diving should buy a different set of equipment to be used in technical diving. Question is: Why is it I don't want to use my tek gear and do recreational diving? Answer: Because I would be diving with recreational divers and I want them to be able to help me with my gear, if, for some reason, I have a problem.

It's not like I have a problem with people using backplate/wings configuration doing recreational dives, but think about this... when you are doing a recreational dive with a group of divers, even if only one of them is using jacket type BCs, how many of these tekkie types explained how their configuration works in during the dive planning stage?

 

[tinman]

Tx Guys. Clearly no one right answer. I have to decide if I've going to do tech in the near future - if so wings are the way to go. Integrated weights is another key short term decision too..

 

[dlarbale]

Tinman,

I currently own a Mares Vector 1000 and it's a bloody good BCD. It's tough, durable and can accomodate doubles. I know this because I've used it for the last year and have notched up a fair few dives (single & double config).

The weight integrated versions of Mares BCD's that I've seen and some of the cheaper models have had a tendancy to fall apart. Personally I believe alot of it comes down to how you look after your gear!!

From a Dive Masters point of view I HATE wieght integrated BCD's. They're a complete b'stard to lift back onto a dive boat after a dive and are more likely to fall over when left unattended (yes people do this! We're only human after all). I've never had a problem with weight belts and can only see a need for weight integration if you've got no hips, ass or whatever else stops a normal weight belt from falling.

I am now looking at purchasing a TransPac II or SS BP config for tech and will just keep my Vector 1000 for training purposes - using a SS BP & Wing for training OW divers isn't appropriate as my config would be too different from theirs (the local shop ain't about to rent out BP's for OW courses!

Hope that helps - Dave.

 

[exnewwavedivers]

Jacket-style BCD that comes with integrated weights is not exactly a good idea for two reasons:

1. Requires the use of 2 hands to ditch the weights, one on each side, instead of one if you're using a weight belt.

2. Once you're BCD is inflated, removing or ditching the integrated weights is not as easy as it seems because it has to be pulled at a certain angle. Even if you've practiced ditching weights, your buddy may not be familiar with it.

However, integrated weights may offer some comfort to those people who use a lot of weights. By distributing some of the weights in the BCD, these people need less weights on their weightbelt.