New to Scuba diving, BCD between 300 and 400?
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Eric Sedletzky
Contributor
Go to leisure pro (leisurepro.com) and look at all the BC's that are priced in that range. Pick the prettiest or coolest looking one with as much piping, webbed panels, colors, etc. that you can find and just buy that one.
Or look at some of the higher end more expensive ones either in your local dive shop or online and then buy them on ebay or craigslist for around the price you want to pay.
Without further details of the type of diving you'll be doing, where, with what type tanks, what type of suit, salt - fresh? etc. This is the best I can tell you for now.
There are a few choices for ones in that price range. Then there is the choice of jacket style or back inflate. Then I am sure someone will check in here and tell you to just go right to a BP/W(backplate and wing) setup.
I had the jacket setup which I had bought out after my OW class so I had learned in that and continued to use it. I have now just bought a back inflate, because although the jacket style performed its function, if you leaned to one side, it would tend to keep you rolling in that direction. I have yet to dive the back inflate, so I cannot comment on its performance yet. I did however try out both the back inflate and the BP/W in the pool and preferred the back inflate.
So in short, if you can try out the different setups before you buy, you may save a future trade in/upgrade.
I had the jacket setup which I had bought out after my OW class so I had learned in that and continued to use it. I have now just bought a back inflate, because although the jacket style performed its function, if you leaned to one side, it would tend to keep you rolling in that direction. I have yet to dive the back inflate, so I cannot comment on its performance yet. I did however try out both the back inflate and the BP/W in the pool and preferred the back inflate.
So in short, if you can try out the different setups before you buy, you may save a future trade in/upgrade.
claymore
Contributor
Just get a BPW or you will DIE a horrible death from the BPW fans.
Suggestion: It is a good time to shop for gear. The market picks up in a couple of months, so deals can be had now. Look around on-line and locally. Money can be saved on a "last-year's model" and model year doesn't mean that much.
This my not be the right one for you, but it is an example of what is available:
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/Cate...Stock/DescSort_0/Filter_1=302/SWDT.html?Hit=1
This my not be the right one for you, but it is an example of what is available:
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/Cate...Stock/DescSort_0/Filter_1=302/SWDT.html?Hit=1
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Eric Sedletzky
Contributor
The reason I didn't mention BP/W is because most of them are way over $300 for the complete rig. There might be some used stuff out there, but unless the OP has someone to mentor him in the use of the BP/W I think a sewn together standard weight integrated, either jacket style or back inflate unit would be the best way to go.
He wanted to know about BC's in the $300 range so poodle jackets are about the only option. They all work fine.
I could recommend some way more advanced options that would be way less than $300, but a new diver wouldn't understand the principles, and I don't want to be responsible for setting him on a path that many would consider way too extreme, minimalist, or reckless. So I'm not even going to go there.
FrankPro1
Contributor
You can get a slightly used BP/Wing setup for between 300-400 bucks. I started off with a Jacket, then bought a rear-inflation BCD and finally migrated to a BP/Wing. Let me tell you nothing dives like a properly adjusted BP/Wing. In the end you'll save a lot of money not transitioning from one to the other. I would suggest the Oxycheq Mach V 30lb wing for singles diving.
I do agree with ZKY though. A Hogarthian setup is more difficult to intially setup / adjust when compared to a normal BCD. I didn't have any help "besides web resources" when I first setup mine, but then again I wasn't a new diver. Does your LDS sell BP/Wings? Does your instructor dive one? If there's someone who can introduce you to how they are setup / function it would help quite a bit.
I do agree with ZKY though. A Hogarthian setup is more difficult to intially setup / adjust when compared to a normal BCD. I didn't have any help "besides web resources" when I first setup mine, but then again I wasn't a new diver. Does your LDS sell BP/Wings? Does your instructor dive one? If there's someone who can introduce you to how they are setup / function it would help quite a bit.
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a22shady
Contributor
Be smart when shopping get a Backplate/wing They are alot better then jackets and give you more versatility. This will be one of those things you look back on and be very happy you did.
Check out Piranha. Give Randy a Call (302.494.0982) he will be able to get you into a Nice Hog System.
Piranha Dive Manufacturing
Check out Piranha. Give Randy a Call (302.494.0982) he will be able to get you into a Nice Hog System.
Piranha Dive Manufacturing
If you really want a basic bc then the Zeagle Express tech is the shizzle! I sold my oceanic probe when I got the zeagle. Course I have two other jackets and 2 BPW set ups but the Zeagle is under 300 retail(279) and can probably be had for 250 if you haggle with the shop a bit. I added a few d rings and a steel buckle and it still comes in at a real deal.
Yoi can always check with any dive shops in your area and see what they have to offer.
Many times they'll have some of the BC's they sell in rental stock and you could try them out before making a purchase decision.
Sometimes they even sell off used rentals at a pretty good discount over new gear.
(Note- not a dis against online buying at all, but when you don't know what to get trying stuff out is often the best way to find something you're comfortable in.)
Many times they'll have some of the BC's they sell in rental stock and you could try them out before making a purchase decision.
Sometimes they even sell off used rentals at a pretty good discount over new gear.
(Note- not a dis against online buying at all, but when you don't know what to get trying stuff out is often the best way to find something you're comfortable in.)
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