new diver looking for info on BCs

[Bob5150]

I'm pretty new to diving and looking at purchasing my own equipment. My BC will definitely be a Scubapro with Air 2. However, I'm trying to decide between a knighthawk and a Glide Plus. Also, considering a Oceanic Versa Pro console for my computer. Anyone with anyexperience willing to lend advise would be much appreciated. Any divers out there been to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic? If so, how was the diving? Going in June and plan on getting wet!

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

Welcome to the board Bob, you'll find some good information and some good-hearted ribbing from time to time around these parts.

The knighthawk is a decent BC, the aquarium I dive for has a stock of them that I get to use and for an all around good rec rig it's as good as most any other on the market. I personally have reservations with the configuration of the Air 2, and recommend considering the addition of an "octopus" second stage on a longer hose be placed on the right side in the traditional "triangle". I feel that is the best choice for alternate air placement option for this type configuration. Whether you go with the air 2 or not I would include the octopus.

I dive the Versa Pro wrist mount, I really like that computer except you have to purchase the PC link to see the profiles, unless I'm failing to comprehend something. Someone else will have to chime in on the Dominican Republic, we'll look forward to a trip report.

 

[mobymark]

Welcome to the world of diving!!

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy!

Welcome to SB!! :happywave Put us in your computer's favorites and check in often. This is a great place to learn, compare, argue

For more information on BCs, you might wander over to that forum here...

don

:d

 

[jonnythan]

Those are two *very* different BC's.. why would you limit yourself to one brand?

BTW, an Air2 is a bad decision in my opinion. At the very least, if you get the Air2, be sure you get a longer than normal primary hose so that air sharing isn't a *total* CF.

 

[diver-doc]

I've been diving a SP Classic Plus with an AIR2 for the past three years. I've never been happier with a BC setup. When I'm instructing, I also have a traditional octopus. I also have seen a lot of postings that bash the AIR2, but I am a fan of the product. I think that an inexperienced panicked diver is more apt to retrieve a second stage from your mouth than from an octo holder and you will have an easier time finding an AIR2 than your octo in the chaos. I am very aware that this isn't the way that it is suppose to be, but out-of-air emergencies don't always follow the rules.

If you are relatively new to diving, you've got to ask yourself how much time you plan to spend at the surface conversing with your buddies. The back-inflation of the Knighthawk will tend to put your face in the water, while the Glide is more apt to surround you with buoyancy and keep you in an upright position. I think that the Glide is marginally safer if you surface unconcious since you are more likely to be upright.

I'm glad to hear that you are diving ScubaPro . . . VERY well constructed BCs. diver-doc

 

[sgtmnstr]

I'm pretty new to diving and looking at purchasing my own equipment. My BC will definitely be a Scubapro with Air 2. However, I'm trying to decide between a knighthawk and a Glide Plus. Also, considering a Oceanic Versa Pro console for my computer. Anyone with anyexperience willing to lend advise would be much appreciated. Any divers out there been to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic? If so, how was the diving? Going in June and plan on getting wet!

Bob you may want to look at the thread about worst buys, alot of negs on Air2, Love my Zeagle Ranger ltd bc, also real happy w/sherwood wisdom comp. Good Luck........

 

[curiousgeorgie]

I have a Glide plus w/air2 and a versa pro. I like the Glide plus BC very much but I think it is limited to mostly warm water recreational use. I don't think it would be good with a dry suit. I am now considering a BP/wings which would be more versatile.

I like the Air2 but it also is limiting. If you ever needed to use your regulator with another BC that didn't have the alternate inflator, your hose fitting to the inflator wouldn't fit and you wouldn't have an alternate air source. I am now considering buying an octopus also.

The versa pro has been a great basic air/nitrox computer and is very liberal. Have no complaints about it.

Hope this helps.

 

[Bob5150]

Those are two *very* different BC's.. why would you limit yourself to one brand?

BTW, an Air2 is a bad decision in my opinion. At the very least, if you get the Air2, be sure you get a longer than normal primary hose so that air sharing isn't a *total* CF.

I ended up choosing the Knighthawk due to greater lift capacity and the back inflation makes it feel less bulky. I selected Scubapro because it is what I trained with and my local dive shop (Scuba Hut of Glen Burnie, MD) is an authorized dealer. I receive very good service at the shop and that makes a big difference! My instructors also use Scubapro and they are all rescue divers.

I also chose the Air 2 (trained with it). I was trained to give my primary to the diver in need and use the backup myself. In my profession, we train muscle memory. When stressed, the mind automatically takes over and responds to training. I.E. - if I switch to an octupus, if I find myself in a bad situation, I'm likely to find myself sucking on the inflator hose instead of locating the octupus.

 

[Bob5150]

I've been diving a SP Classic Plus with an AIR2 for the past three years. I've never been happier with a BC setup. When I'm instructing, I also have a traditional octopus. I also have seen a lot of postings that bash the AIR2, but I am a fan of the product. I think that an inexperienced panicked diver is more apt to retrieve a second stage from your mouth than from an octo holder and you will have an easier time finding an AIR2 than your octo in the chaos. I am very aware that this isn't the way that it is suppose to be, but out-of-air emergencies don't always follow the rules.

If you are relatively new to diving, you've got to ask yourself how much time you plan to spend at the surface conversing with your buddies. The back-inflation of the Knighthawk will tend to put your face in the water, while the Glide is more apt to surround you with buoyancy and keep you in an upright position. I think that the Glide is marginally safer if you surface unconcious since you are more likely to be upright.

I'm glad to hear that you are diving ScubaPro . . . VERY well constructed BCs. diver-doc

Thanks for the input. I did choose the Air 2 on a knighthawk. I dove the Knighthawk this weekend and loved it. I found that the back inflation actually held me straight up in the water.

As far as the Air 2, I trained with it, so that was a big influence on my choice. I am a trainer in my profession and understand the importance of muscle memory and stress reactions. So, the Air 2 was an obvious choice.

Like you, my instructors dive scubapro and rave about the products. Being that they are rescue divers, I thought that you can't get a much better recommendation. Plus, my shop is an authorized dealer and I like the shop very much.
Thanks for the advice!