minimalist back inflate BC?

[raposarose]

Hello all,

I am a newly certified diver looking to purchase a BC. I have looked over this board and at some online gear reviews and I would like to receive feedback on 4 BCs in particular. Any advice would be useful.

These BCs are the:
SeaQuest Balance
ScubaPro Knighthawk
Transpac II w/travel or rec wings
Zeagle Escape

I am in San Diego and I use 31 lbs of weight so that is a consideration. I really just want something that is stable and without a lot of clutter (I don't need a lot of pockets, D-rings, etc). I have read the long debates about backplates w/ wings and I just wonder if that might be a little hardcore for me at this point. Of course I am open to any opinions. At the local dive shop the salesperson suggested the Balance for a BC fitting my criteria.

Thank you in advance for your responses!
Raposa

 

[japan-diver]

From the four listed I would go with the Dive Rite and travel wing.

31lbs of weight sounds like a lot- have you done a proper bouyancy check
(15fsw, 500psi less in tank, hovering with no air in BC, not being pulled to the surface)

Also remember a BC properly cared for will last quite a few years so you want a system that will grow with your diving. The transpac or a BP/harness does this very easily with changing a wing if needed or adding d-rings/ pockets and attachment points as needed.

 

[pablosells]

For the weight-integrated BCs I would carefully check the maximum weight for each pocket. For example, the Oceanic Chute 3 (not really minimalist) is limited to 16 lbs per pocket (32 lbs total) and 5 pounds per non-dumpable pocket (10 lbs total) for a grand total of 42 lbs.

The Scubapro Knighthawk can only handled 10 lbs per pocket and 5 lbs per trim pocket for a total of 30 lbs.

 

[paulwlee]

I tried the Balance recently when I was shopping to replace my old BC. I liked it a lot, and probably would have bought one had I not been considering eventually getting into technical training. (I got a Halcyon BP/wing.)

The Balance has very little clutter, and the weight system (I tried the old velcro pocket version) worked very well. It takes only 30lbs integrated, but adding that extra pound somewhere won't be too much problem. It also is very adjustable, and the tank weight is distributed quite nicely.

 

[Bob3]

If you want something really minimalist, you may want to take a look at a SEATEC
Seahorse. It's a simple wing & a plain backpack, design hasn't changed for a looooong time.

 

[paulwlee]

japan-diver once bubbled...
31lbs of weight sounds like a lot- have you done a proper bouyancy check

Thick wetsuits or drysuits need a lot of weight. I used to dive with 16lbs in Korea with a 5mm farmer John. Now here in Northern California, I used 7mm Farmer Johns, 6.5mm semidry suit with 7mm vest, and a trilaminate drysuit with DUI 300S polartec undergarment. I needed more or less 30lbs with all three, with empty BC, 500psi, and neutral at 15ft. (with AL80)
Now that is a LOT of weight and is a real drag when walking uphill.

 

[Bloop]

The new Venture wings from Dive Rite is coming out. touted to replace the travel wings....

Maybe you can wait a few more weeks for this new wings to come out. I think it is also 30# lift.

 

[jplacson]

raposarose once bubbled...
Hello all,

I am in San Diego and I use 31 lbs of weight so that is a consideration. I really just want something that is stable and without a lot of clutter (I don't need a lot of pockets, D-rings, etc). I have read the long debates about backplates w/ wings and I just wonder if that might be a little hardcore for me at this point. Of course I am open to any opinions. At the local dive shop the salesperson suggested the Balance for a BC fitting my criteria.

Thank you in advance for your responses!
Raposa

There's no such thing as too hardcore ... a BP and wings would actually be your best bet. I've never dove dry so I don't know how much weight is really needed... but I just recently got my weight down, and I can't express enough how much more enjoyable my dives became!

At the end of a dive... if you're diving from a boat... you can do 2 buoyancy checks... one at 15ft, safety stop... wait til your tank hits below 900psi (500-800psi should work fine) ... then empty your BC... completely deflate it. You should NOT sink, or rise. (With the exception of the normal rise & fall with your breathing)

Then at the surface, deflate your BC again, then take a deep breath and hold it. You should float at eye level only. Not any higher than that.

Check out the BP wings from Halcyon, OMS, Dive Rite and Zeagle. All of them offer decent wings. You can get cheaper BP and harness systems that mate perfectly with any of those wings. This way, your BC can 'grow' with you since it's completely modular.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

For back inflate BC's, if you have decided to not go with a BP&W I would go with a Seaquest Balance. I love that BC. I use it for teaching, and for the open water dives with students, and it is the most comfortable back inflate BC I have ever used. Out of the list you made, that would be my choice...

 

[Gator Diver]

after DEMA, the Eclipse and the Venture
will be released. Wait and test those out
if you can.

Personally I have tried both the Balance
and the Escape. Either one should suit
your needs if you go with a back inflate BC.

Personally, I am waiting to see the new
wings after DEMA before I make my
choice