Need BC Recommendation

[jc2]

I'm an Advanced Rec diver (IANTD Certification) that doesn't dive very often anymore (10-30 times a year typically). I've been borrowing a buddies BC setup - can't remember the brand/model (he's an instructor with a ton of equipment.) When we dive up here in the cold water it has a backplate, sometimes we dive twins. When we travel to warm water he takes the backplate off.

I'm heading on a trip to Aruba and he's not coming and feel it's about time I got my own gear. I read this artice in Scuba Mag about Backplate/Wing setups more suited to Rec Divers. I really liked the sound of the Riptide Zone II as you don't have to use it with a backplate so it would be easier to take to warm water trips and the back plate can be added for cold water and light tech diving with 2 tanks.

I've read some threads here that kind of poo poo the Riptide and several others in the review as not being the purist BP/W setups. But you have to keep in mind that the article's intention is not to review BP/W as traditionally defined but BCs that have similar characteristcs but are more appropriate for the Rec diver, at least as I understand.

The fact of the matter is, I'm probably going to be doing more than half my diving on trips to warm water locations diving singles and less than half up here in the cold waters of the Northwest diving singles and sometime doubles. Would the Riptide Zone II be a good choice?

As I understand it a wing with at least 50-60 pounds of lift to dive doubles? Seems like a 60 pound lift setup would be a lot more bulky to pack for a warm water trip and provide unecessary bulk while diving just a single tank without the backplate. Although the Riptide does have elastic cords to keep it from flopping around when not inflated. But I guess this would be the compromise I would need to make to have the flexibility?

I really don't want to have to own two BC setups. What would people recommend I consider?

 

[Holy Mackerel]

I am interested in this thread, as I am finally accumulating all my gear. My LDS recommended this one, any thoughts?

http://www.aqualung.com/products/balance.html

 

[Walter]

The Sea Quest Balance has padding and a cummerbund. Those add drag. Not fun in current and increases your work load (and air consumption) on any dive. I'd pass it by.

I'm not familiar with the Riptide Zone II.

 

[Holy Mackerel]

The Sea Quest Balance has padding and a cummerbund. Those add drag. Not fun in current and increases your work load (and air consumption) on any dive. I'd pass it by.

Which BC's have little to no drag, thanks for your input! :14:

Chris

 

[fire_diver]

Have you looked at the Zeagle Rangers? I don't own one, but have heard alot of good remarks about them.

FD

 

[jc2]

What about going with something like an OxyCheq O-Pac Harness and coupling it with the OxyCheq 18 lbs Travel Wing for warm water rec dive trips. Then just use an OxyCheq 45 lbs Wing for doing more advanced Rec Light-Tech Diving back at home in the cold water. Would 45 lbs be enough to dive twins? This Harness looks pretty bare bones. Anyone have experience with them?

 

[mack50md]

My LDS is now selling the Riptide Zone IIs. The Zone II is referred to as a "cross-over" BC (somewhere between vest and BP/W). The LDS owner and instructor staff are all using them. I had a dive buddy last trip that used his for the first time. They look solid and my dive buddy reported it dove well. He wasn't crazy about the weight ditch system. Looked bullet-proof and similar to the Zeagle Ranger. I liked the pocket feature for the backplate.

I considered buying a Zone II last summer when I was looking for something a little more travel friendly than the Seaquest Pro QD+ I own. The ProQD+ was a little over a year old and I would not have recouped enough selling it to make the Zone II worth the investment. The price was such that it was cheaper to buy a separate travel BC (Genesis Tropic) and stick with the ProQD. I have no plan to go doubles right now.

FYI-Here is a link to a SCUBA Diving mag review on Zone II.http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/buoyancy_compensators/backplate_buoyancy_systems/4/

Good luck on your search.

 

[cfdfirediver]

I dive a Zone II and my girlfriend the Grace (womens version) and we are both pleased with the proformance. They are very similar to the Sherwood Outback and Recon, but with soft shoulder straps and much lighter. And depending where you get it usually a bit cheaper!

 

[bradshsi]

Which BC's have little to no drag, thanks for your input! :14:

Chris

I imagine a lot of people will tell you BP/W have the lowest drag, although the "historical" divers will probably tell you that no BC at all is the best for streamlining

You might want to check out the Dive Rite Transpac (which I use). It's fairly streamlined if you don't want to go the BP/W route.

A recent discussion thread can be found here:

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=131978

 

[adurso]

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