Needed: All Purpose BCD--Mostly recreational but some dry suit diving too...

[scubadobadoo]

After some research here and about, I am considering buying the new Sherwood Freedom BCD as an all purpose BCD for many reasons. I dive tropical (like Cayman) to dry suit (like recreational North East) and live in NYC where having a ton of gear is a major space issue. I am currently using an old Dacor Nautica and it is okay but i think I need little more now. Some have pointed me towards BP/wings but I don't think that is for me right now. This BCD suits me for the following reasons, or should I say this is what I think I want.

1. Weight Int. (works for my weight needs in warm and dry diving)
2. PRICE (found it for under $275 new and with warranty)
3. Back Inflate
4. Seems to be a middle ground between jacket and BP/wings
5. Seems to travel well- light
6. Seems to be middle ground for recreational and tech diving
7. I know this one is stupid, but I like the way it looks, lol
8. I like that it has some storage but doesn't seem to be too huge like the zeagle ranger...
9. It appears to have enough lift for recreational dry suit diving in the Large size

I am worried that the chest strap (sternum) will hit the inflator valve on my DUI tls350...

So that is about it. If you disagree, agree, or think I should reconsider, please chime in. I welcome your thoughts and thank you in advance. Thoughts on this BC or another perhaps? Again, ALL PURPOSE is my main consideration.

 

[IndigoBlue]

After some research here and about, I am considering buying the new Sherwood Freedom BCD as an all purpose BCD for many reasons. I dive tropical (like Cayman) to dry suit (like recreational North East) and live in NYC where having a ton of gear is a major space issue. I am currently using an old Dacor Nautica and it is okay but i think I need little more now. Some have pointed me towards BP/wings but I don't think that is for me right now. This BCD suits me for the following reasons, or should I say this is what I think I want.

1. Weight Int. (works for my weight needs in warm and dry diving)
2. PRICE (found it for under $275 new and with warranty)
3. Back Inflate
4. Seems to be a middle ground between jacket and BP/wings
5. Seems to travel well- light
6. Seems to be middle ground for recreational and tech diving
7. I know this one is stupid, but I like the way it looks, lol
8. I like that it has some storage but doesn't seem to be too huge like the zeagle ranger...
9. It appears to have enough lift for recreational dry suit diving in the Large size

I am worried that the chest strap (sternum) will hit the inflator valve on my DUI tls350...

So that is about it. If you disagree, agree, or think I should reconsider, please chime in. I welcome your thoughts and thank you in advance. Thoughts on this BC or another perhaps? Again, ALL PURPOSE is my main consideration.

For tropical 3mm diving, or for diving with a drysuit, it only needs to have about 10 lbs lift. Unless you plan to dive doubles with it, in which case it only needs to have about 20 lbs lift.

It is when you are diving with a thick wetsuit that you need 35 to 45 lbs of lift.

If you want to float really high out of the water, when you are on the surface, then it is nice if it has 55 to 65 lbs of lift.

But with your considerations, price being one, you do not need a lot of lift, for tropical or drysuit diving.

 

[scubahorse]

SeaQuest Balance
Everything you want, plus easy to clean.

 

[TLada]

You'll need two BC's: one for your recreational diving, and one for the drysuit diving. The only rig I'd say might blur the line between the two is a Zeagle Ranger, perhaps with the extra lift. Maybe even the Dive Rite Rec wings.
If you are thinking your going to dive a drysuit with an econo BC, tell your wife and kids you love them before you go.

 

[TLada]

Sorry - on re-reading that was a tough reply. I just feel that drysuit diving is semi-tech, and to me that means being loaded for bear. I am a tech dive at heart, whenever I don doubles or a drysuit, it's an OMS rig for me. I tend to seperate lightweight recreational diving with gear intensive tech diving. A drysuit crosses the line into 'semi-tech' cause drysuit diving to me means extra weights, lights, tools, reels, and whatever.
I'm of the mind - be ready for the worst.

 

[scubatoys]

The freedom is not going to work for what you are trying to do. We used to sell them, but I decided to stop carrying them when we had too many complaints about the lack of adjustability. The cummerbund is fixed... no adjustment what-so-ever so I would say the chance of it fitting good when warm water diving - and it fitting over a dry suit are slim to none.

I dive with a Zeagle Ranger - and either a ranger or if you want to save some bucks, an Escape will get your job done for you - but I feel if you get the freedom - you'll end up buying a second BC very quickly...

 

[Gillty]

I have used a Seaquest Balance for the type of diving you have described. It was very adequate but I have recently switched to a Scubapro Knighthawk after trying out one of my friends b.c.'s. I have to say that I have been very impressed with both of them. The balance was a tad more comfortable but the Knighthawk seems a little better with stability. Both of them are light enough to take on a tropical vacation but still do the job for diving during the winter. Just one more opinion for you consider. I hope this helps.

Respectfully

Gillty

 

[melfox26]

After some research here and about, I am considering buying the new Sherwood Freedom BCD as an all purpose BCD for many reasons. I dive tropical (like Cayman) to dry suit (like recreational North East) and live in NYC where having a ton of gear is a major space issue. I am currently using an old Dacor Nautica and it is okay but i think I need little more now. Some have pointed me towards BP/wings but I don't think that is for me right now. This BCD suits me for the following reasons, or should I say this is what I think I want.

1. Weight Int. (works for my weight needs in warm and dry diving)
2. PRICE (found it for under $275 new and with warranty)
3. Back Inflate
4. Seems to be a middle ground between jacket and BP/wings
5. Seems to travel well- light
6. Seems to be middle ground for recreational and tech diving
7. I know this one is stupid, but I like the way it looks, lol
8. I like that it has some storage but doesn't seem to be too huge like the zeagle ranger...
9. It appears to have enough lift for recreational dry suit diving in the Large size

I am worried that the chest strap (sternum) will hit the inflator valve on my DUI tls350...

So that is about it. If you disagree, agree, or think I should reconsider, please chime in. I welcome your thoughts and thank you in advance. Thoughts on this BC or another perhaps? Again, ALL PURPOSE is my main consideration.

I also dive the Zeagle Ranger. I use it for warm water as well as cold Monterey, CA waters. The chest strap doesn't interfere with my inflator valve on my TLS350.
However, it certainly doesn't qualify under your option 2 of price. I'm sure you can find it for under $400- with warranty if you search around the net enough. I talked my friend out of getting a jacket-style BC and into a Ranger. We dove today, his first time in his new Ranger and he loved it.

Mel

 

[pipedope]

I have a Scout and it works OK.
It is certainly light and inexpensive.

On the Zeagle Scout it doesn't make much difference if the sternum strap is on or off. Some dives I would just leave it off on others I would use it to mount my SeaSnips.

Be sure to dive the rig before you buy if at all possible.