New BCD from Poseidon

[Spoon]

its alright, doesnt look very streamlined imho.

 

[jetfixer]

http://www.scuba.com/shop/product.asp_Category_3_page_2_recs_10

it looks like a parachute pack or something...interesting...

 

[DrDuktayp]

We purchased two of the Besea W50's. One for me and one for my buddy (my wife). The water temp is a balmy 50 degrees now which is still cold water diving. After calculating our new weight requirements I was carrying 26lbs on my waist, 4lbs on the neck of the tank (ankle weights), and I wore 4 pounds in the form of ankle weights.

I secured my HID to two holes in the plastic plate that worked perfectly with two quick links through the webbing.

We chose a dive site that has a very rocky entry with a nice hike down a steep trail to the 'beach'. The big weight belt I was wearing negated the benefits of the Poseidon harness as it didn't allow the tank weight to be carried on my hips. I will purchase the integrated pockets when they come in the my LDS. On the way down the trail I was wondering if I shouldn't have wasted my money.

In the water I watched my wife to see how the wing worked. The wing actually layed nicely along her tank and looked more streamline than her DiveRite RecWing. The inflator hose is a little on the long side but it was easy to find. The inflator worked well and feels very solid in your hand. The two lower vents in the BC face inward instead of outward.

I was slightly out of trim with the added ankle weights. I rechecked my weight at the end of the dive and found that the ankle weights were not necessary. This is effectively only a 2lb weight gain from my normal dive configuration.

I am going to change the weighting to 10 pounds of hard lead on the upper tank strap and 10 pounds in each integrated pocket. I think this will give me good trim.

The specifications say that it is nearly 5 pounds bouyant. I think that after a minute or so in the water it only is about 2 pounds positive. I normally dive with a 6lb plate and 22 pounds. With the Besea I will need 30 pounds of lead. Once I integrate this into pockets and if the weight works out on the upper tank strap I think I will have a comfortable dive rig that I can easily hike down the treacherous trails to the better dive sites plus give me nice trim in the water. Next month, I will try it out in Bonaire (if Jamaica Air is still flying) with aluminum tanks and a light weight wetsuit.

All-in-all I like the Besea and will continue to tweak it. Although, I won't be giving up my back plate & wings.

DrDuktayp

 

[mrvollmer]

Finally picked up my BESEA. I will be diving it tomorrow, and I will let you know what I think.

I dove with someone last week that had the W50, and he loved it. Found it to be a few lbs more bouyant then his previous BC. (as one would expect based on Poseidons specs.)

The only thing I can't understand is the weight pockets that Poseidon created for the BESEA can just about hold 20lbs. (10 each pocket). Where are these guys diving that they can get away with only 20lbs. I thought the Swede's dove cold water in drysuits??

Michael

We purchased two of the Besea W50's. One for me and one for my buddy (my wife). The water temp is a balmy 50 degrees now which is still cold water diving. After calculating our new weight requirements I was carrying 26lbs on my waist, 4lbs on the neck of the tank (ankle weights), and I wore 4 pounds in the form of ankle weights.

I secured my HID to two holes in the plastic plate that worked perfectly with two quick links through the webbing.

We chose a dive site that has a very rocky entry with a nice hike down a steep trail to the 'beach'. The big weight belt I was wearing negated the benefits of the Poseidon harness as it didn't allow the tank weight to be carried on my hips. I will purchase the integrated pockets when they come in the my LDS. On the way down the trail I was wondering if I shouldn't have wasted my money.

In the water I watched my wife to see how the wing worked. The wing actually layed nicely along her tank and looked more streamline than her DiveRite RecWing. The inflator hose is a little on the long side but it was easy to find. The inflator worked well and feels very solid in your hand. The two lower vents in the BC face inward instead of outward.

I was slightly out of trim with the added ankle weights. I rechecked my weight at the end of the dive and found that the ankle weights were not necessary. This is effectively only a 2lb weight gain from my normal dive configuration.

I am going to change the weighting to 10 pounds of hard lead on the upper tank strap and 10 pounds in each integrated pocket. I think this will give me good trim.

The specifications say that it is nearly 5 pounds bouyant. I think that after a minute or so in the water it only is about 2 pounds positive. I normally dive with a 6lb plate and 22 pounds. With the Besea I will need 30 pounds of lead. Once I integrate this into pockets and if the weight works out on the upper tank strap I think I will have a comfortable dive rig that I can easily hike down the treacherous trails to the better dive sites plus give me nice trim in the water. Next month, I will try it out in Bonaire (if Jamaica Air is still flying) with aluminum tanks and a light weight wetsuit.

All-in-all I like the Besea and will continue to tweak it. Although, I won't be giving up my back plate & wings.

DrDuktayp

 

[Exciter1974]

Please tell me about your first Besea dive, do you like your new BC? I own one of these (W50) and yes you are right in Sweden 90% of the divers use drysuits.

The weight pockets are a bit to small in my opinion, there is a unconfirmed rumor that says their is a bigger pocket going in production next year. I will do some education dives in next month in Poseidons testpool in Gothenburg. I will try to speak with the guys about this rumor.

Finally picked up my BESEA. I will be diving it tomorrow, and I will let you know what I think.

I dove with someone last week that had the W50, and he loved it. Found it to be a few lbs more bouyant then his previous BC. (as one would expect based on Poseidons specs.)

The only thing I can't understand is the weight pockets that Poseidon created for the BESEA can just about hold 20lbs. (10 each pocket). Where are these guys diving that they can get away with only 20lbs. I thought the Swede's dove cold water in drysuits??

Michael

 

[mrvollmer]

Sorry for the delay, but I have been busy, and have not had a chance to stop by the forum....

Anyway... I dove my new W50 on an inlet dive and here are my thoughts:

Build Quality:
Excellent build quality. A lot of thought and care went in these.

Adjustable, adjustable adjustable. They are one size fits all.

Weight pockets:
Weight pockets are too small. I was able to get 10 lbs in each, and then had to wear extra weight on a belt, whichdoes not work well with this BC. According to Poseidon, you can get 13lbs in a pocket. Since I could not find 13lb weights, I have two 12lb'ers on order. I will distribute any additional weight needed on to the tank strap.

The reason the weight belt is a no go, is becuase the waist belt sits right where your weight belt usually is. The BC was designed to load the weight on your hips rather then your shoulders.. this makes a weight belt very uncomfortable.

The pockets themselves, as I mentioned are a little small, but if I can find 13lb weights, and they fit, I'll be in business. (The reason for som much weight is a. I am in a 5mm posidon dry suit, the inlet is about 15' deep, and I prefer to be a little heavy when teaching.) I also found that the pockets felt like then were pullingon the waist strap. Could have been as a result of having a weight belt on, and not having the waist strap as tight around my waist as I would have liked. Otherwise the pockets were easy to install, load and unload..


Wing:
The wing seems to be bullet proof. Again excellent quality. I noticed I needed to shift a little to make sure it was fulled dumped. Not sure if I was tramping air or not, but I did feel like it was. Probably just need to get used to it (I am coming from a stab jacket, so using a wing is new for me.) The wing dumped quickly from the rear dump valves, as well as the dump on the lp inflator.

Harness:
The harness is a work of art. It feel like a backpack crossed with racing harness. The fit is different then that of a stab jacket, probably more akin to a BP and harness. With this harness, you want to get in and snug it up, so it is one with your body. -and it actually feels that way once on. It was a very different feeling then the stab jacket, as I didn't feel the weight of the tank. Weight distribution was excellent. You could walk all day with your tank strapped in. Posiedon definitly hit the mark on making your out of water expereince better.

The harness has mounting holes everywhere. You have unlimited options when it comes to mounting D rings, weight and other pockets.

Tank straps:
The are 2 tank bands, which hold the cylinder solidly in place.

Overall:
Unfortunatly, I only got 1 dive in on my new BC. This weekend I should get a couple more in (shallow dives again, but in two weeks I will be doing a couple of wreck dives at 90') so I hope to have some additional feedback then.

But so far, it felt very streamlined, and comfortable. I forgot I was wearing it. I was able to maintain my attitude easily. One drawback is that the BC is about 4lbs bouyant!

Out of the water, it was easy to handle (as intended), the carry handle on the side is a nice plus.


Michael

Please tell me about your first Besea dive, do you like your new BC? I own one of these (W50) and yes you are right in Sweden 90% of the divers use drysuits.

The weight pockets are a bit to small in my opinion, there is a unconfirmed rumor that says their is a bigger pocket going in production next year. I will do some education dives in next month in Poseidons testpool in Gothenburg. I will try to speak with the guys about this rumor.

 

[mrvollmer]

I gave an update a while back, and have put in many more dives since, and have some new thoughts, and have confimed some initial ones.

I have now dove the W50 all around New Jersey form the inlets, to the offshore wrecks.

First things I can say is, wow, this is a great BC. Poseidon quality all the way.

Build Quality: Excellent.

A lot of thought and care went in this BC. It is bullet proof. It is a little bulky in size, but once on, it disappears.

The BC is truly a one size fits all. Everything is adjustable. However those with a 30" waist or less, will find a lot of strap left over.

OK those Weight pockets, I originally thought they were too small. Well they are not. My 12lb'ers fit in no problem. What I don;t like is the hanginf feeling of the weight pocket when walking around. I solved thisby moving the pockets a bit further back, which also improved my sttitute in the water both at depth and on the surface. Moving them back allows me to stay vertical while at the surface, which is important as an instructor trying to talk to students.

Weight pockets are too small. I was able to get 10 lbs in each, and then had to wear extra weight on a belt, whichdoes not work well with this BC. According to Poseidon, you can get 13lbs in a pocket. Since I could not find 13lb weights, I have two 12lb'ers on order. I will distribute any additional weight needed on to the tank strap.

I stillhave not manged to get a weight belt on as the waist section of the BC sits right were your belt would go. This is Ok for two reasons. First the design of the BC is to carry the load of the tank on your hips, like a backpack. which is does very well, and secondly, I can integrate enough weight either in the pockets, tank strap, etc.. so I don't need a belt.


Wing:
Now that I hav emore dives on this thing, I am more comfortable witht he wing design, and actually prefer not feeling the pressure of a jacket. In addition I am getting better at dumping the wing, as it actaully requires very littl effort.

Harness:
The harness I still beelieve is a work of art. It feel like a backpack. All the weight is on my hips. I love getting my gear on and walking around while everyone else is struggling. As i mentioned above it disappears in the water. Plenty of attachment points. (except those D ring attachments are $13 a piece)

On draw back for those with a small waist, once you attach the weigh pockets, there is no room to add an accessory pocket, unless I want it on my shoulder strap. -not too sure about that.

Tank straps:
Th 2 tank bands do not stretch. Making for a secure setup. I am considering gettinghte Poseidon qucik mounting system, which would do away with the straps, and integrate some additioanl weight.



Overall the Poseidon W50 BeSea is one fine BC. As Poseidon states: Be One with the Sea....
I highly recommend it.


And , least important, but worth mentioning... This BC looks great. I have had many comments on it. Everyone wants to know what it is. Which is odd, since you can't missthe big "Poseidon" on the sides of the wing

 

[piikki]

And , least important, but worth mentioning... This BC looks great. I have had many comments on it. Everyone wants to know what it is. Which is odd, since you can't missthe big "Poseidon" on the sides of the wing

Hi,

my buddy has a question.... she dives the same BC, and unfortunately since July she's on her third wing (all W50s). Reason: for the first two wings the 'great looks' floated away after the first weekend for the first wing and after couple of weeks for the second wing. The letters fell off and what was left was white glue and pretty crappy looks. For the price paid for this fine piece of equipment she was not going to accept it, and Poseidon has replaced her wing twice now - she is apprehensively waiting to see what happens to this wing.

You haven't had anything like this happen to you? It does not affect function but is annoying and affects resale value.

 

[mrvollmer]

No. Haven't had anything come off yet. I did have aPoseidon logo (sticker) come off my dry suit valve.

The logo is strickly cosmetic, but it appears to be on the Wing material and does not look like it will easily come off.

Hi,

my buddy has a question.... she dives the same BC, and unfortunately since July she's on her third wing (all W50s). Reason: for the first two wings the 'great looks' floated away after the first weekend for the first wing and after couple of weeks for the second wing. The letters fell off and what was left was white glue and pretty crappy looks. For the price paid for this fine piece of equipment she was not going to accept it, and Poseidon has replaced her wing twice now - she is apprehensively waiting to see what happens to this wing.

You haven't had anything like this happen to you? It does not affect function but is annoying and affects resale value.