Need some help choosing between 3

[cwhitpan]

So I am new to diving, and ready to make a BC purchase. I do intend to use it for travel as well as some local quarry stuff. Down the road after I finish AOW, I am also thinking rescue. I am also a larger guy, 6'4", 230.

With that in mind, I have been shopping BCs and have narrowed it down to 3 that fit well, but just can't seem to make the final call on. They are all Back inflates as I like how stable they tend to make me. (I have used both styles) I am not ready for a BP/W quite yet as I am still feeling out what I want out of diving, but at the min. I want to do some vacation stuff.

The choices are : Knighthawk, Zeagle Escape, and the Cressi Back Jac.

Any experience or thoughts on those?

Thanks!

 

[fnfalman]

No thoughts on your choices but I'd suggest Deep Sea Supply. They make hard back plate that are long enough to accomodate your height.

 

[kjvander]

my wife uses an Escape and really likes it. I have the ranger LTD and like that as well. Depending on what kind of diving you are going to be doing and if you are staying wet or diving dry i would suggest getting the 41# bladder in the escape if you are going to go that route. the nice thing about Zeagles is they are pretty customizable to what you need. I haven't used the other two BC's.

I will say in reference to the BP/W they are very versitile as well. they are infinatly customizable and you can do what you want with them.

The best thing that i can say for the BC is try them on and if you can demo them then see what works best for you. I've had good experience with my Zeagle....just don't have any SP or Cressi dealers in the area.

Hope it helps

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

No thoughts on your choices but I'd suggest Deep Sea Supply. They make hard back plate that are long enough to accomodate your height.

Thank you for answering the OP so concisely. :mooner:

 

[spectrum]

cwhitpan,

Have you tried any of these in the water yet. Features are easy but it needs to feel right. There are some things you will adapt to but you don't wwant a big gap for adaptation to close.

Pete

 

[cwhitpan]

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate the feedback!

cwhitpan,

Have you tried any of these in the water yet. Features are easy but it needs to feel right. There are some things you will adapt to but you don't wwant a big gap for adaptation to close.

Pete

I have tried the Knighthawk and the Zeagle, but only tried on the Cressi. They all have their advantages, thats why I am posing the question. Overall fit is good, oddly in the SP I use a large! the others are XL.

I am trying not to focus on the easy things like buckles (the SP on the tank for example, don't like it, but it can be changed easily) or D-Rings (Easily added)

 

[Islandheart]

That's what I like about this forum...... think about a subject or have a question.... and like magic you see someone else also has the same question.

Back inflate, good quality and weight system.

These are the three BCDs I'm looking at, just wished there was someplace to try them on and check the features 1st hand.

Regards,
Bob C.

 

[Teamcasa]

I do intend to use it for travel as well as some local quarry stuff
I am also a larger guy, 6'4", 230.
I am not ready for a BP/W quite yet
I want to do some vacation stuff.

The choices are : Knighthawk, Zeagle Escape, and the Cressi Back Jac.

All three of your choices get great reviews from the divers I know that use them.

I'd like to add that I use a Apeks WTX harness system with a Dive Rite Venture wing.
WTX Harness

It fits your criteria perfectly as it is lightweight for travel yet is not a hard backplate. However, a backplate can be added should you decide to try a set of doubles out in the future.

 

[imwright1985]

If you have to ditch your gear in the water and pull it over side of boat, i would advise rethinking the zeagle slightly. Most of the boats i dive other than commercial's are a PITA with their ladders and i usually ditch gear in water than pull over the side of the boat. with zeagle weights dont just clip in and pull out to save you lifting some of that weight, so you gotta unzip the pocket and pull out the weight pouches. Other than that which is my only complaint about it i find the zeagles are amazing and heard the support for any problems is awsome too.

 

[dmoore19]

If you have to ditch your gear in the water and pull it over side of boat, i would advise rethinking the zeagle slightly. Most of the boats i dive other than commercial's are a PITA with their ladders and i usually ditch gear in water than pull over the side of the boat. with zeagle weights dont just clip in and pull out to save you lifting some of that weight, so you gotta unzip the pocket and pull out the weight pouches. Other than that which is my only complaint about it i find the zeagles are amazing and heard the support for any problems is awsome too.

I actually purchased a Zeagle Stiletto because I wanted integrated weight system and the Stiletto has the "rip cord" to release the weights. I had read on scubaboard that some people had problems with losing their weight pockets so I saw that as a positive thing. I figured that it might save me from going after a $50 weight pocket. Not trying to be argumentative but thought I would put out a different way of looking at it.