Observation about this forum... curious?

[pw1981]

I am new here, obviously, but I have been searching old threads for various things and information about various pieces of equipment and stuff that I have heard of, seen, or otherwise become familiar with. I have noticed something that I find odd:

When it comes to advice about BC's and someone asks for an opinion on XYZ BC there is almost no one who actually answers the question. Almost all the replies, and usually the first reply, says something to the effect of 'nevermind XYZ BC, what you really want is a BP and Wing setup'. Even when the person said all they wanted was input about a particular piece of a equipment.

Classic example from just yesterday: http://www.scubaboard.com/t61626.html
The guy asked a question about weight integration and weight belts and, BAM, the first response is telling him to get a BP&W!

If someone asks a general 'what do I need' question then, by all means, whip out the BP&W talk, but I think a lot of the BP&W fanatics need to realize that a BP&W is NOT what most recreational divers want and, in most cases, is not what the folks here are asking about.

Why the fanaticism for this BP&W and what makes it worthy of interjecting - somehow - into every thread about BC's?

I am not trying to be hyper-critical of everyone, just wondering why this happens.

 

[aquaoren]

Yes, you are right

 

[Boogie711]

That's nice, but have you considered a backplate and wing?

 

[NINman]

Not to harp, but doesn't belong in the "Whine and Cheeze" section?

 

[IndigoBlue]

I am new here, obviously, but I have been searching old threads for various things and information about various pieces of equipment and stuff that I have heard of, seen, or otherwise become familiar with. I have noticed something that I find odd:

When it comes to advice about BC's and someone asks for an opinion on XYZ BC there is almost no one who actually answers the question. Almost all the replies, and usually the first reply, says something to the effect of 'nevermind XYZ BC, what you really want is a BP and Wing setup'. Even when the person said all they wanted was input about a particular piece of a equipment.

Classic example from just yesterday: http://www.scubaboard.com/t61626.html
The guy asked a question about weight integration and weight belts and, BAM, the first response is telling him to get a BP&W!

If someone asks a general 'what do I need' question then, by all means, whip out the BP&W talk, but I think a lot of the BP&W fanatics need to realize that a BP&W is NOT what most recreational divers want and, in most cases, is not what the folks here are asking about.

Why the fanaticism for this BP&W and what makes it worthy of interjecting - somehow - into every thread about BC's?

I am not trying to be hyper-critical of everyone, just wondering why this happens.

JJ is a very charismatic, likeable guy. So what you have is a lot of neophyte salesmen trying to do him a favor by herding a slew of novice divers his way. You just have to learn to ignor it.

 

[Snowbear]

JJ is a very charismatic, likeable guy.

Really?
So you're saying he's nothing like his internet rants?
I've never met the guy. But rumor has it he may be visiting my neck of the world for a class, so hopefully I'll get the chance.

 

[dlndavid]

I am new here, obviously, but I have been searching old threads for various things and information about various pieces of equipment and stuff that I have heard of, seen, or otherwise become familiar with. I have noticed something that I find odd:

When it comes to advice about BC's and someone asks for an opinion on XYZ BC there is almost no one who actually answers the question. Almost all the replies, and usually the first reply, says something to the effect of 'nevermind XYZ BC, what you really want is a BP and Wing setup'. Even when the person said all they wanted was input about a particular piece of a equipment.

Classic example from just yesterday: http://www.scubaboard.com/t61626.html
The guy asked a question about weight integration and weight belts and, BAM, the first response is telling him to get a BP&W!

If someone asks a general 'what do I need' question then, by all means, whip out the BP&W talk, but I think a lot of the BP&W fanatics need to realize that a BP&W is NOT what most recreational divers want and, in most cases, is not what the folks here are asking about.

Why the fanaticism for this BP&W and what makes it worthy of interjecting - somehow - into every thread about BC's?

I am not trying to be hyper-critical of everyone, just wondering why this happens.

What do you think about SP Knighthawk?
That's what I dive with.
My LDS told me it was the BCD of choice.
I have dove with it several times, seems Ok to me.
jmtc's

 

[plcmd]

I use the Sea Quest Black Diamond. I really like the BC. Fits great and well...... I just like the damn BC.

 

[LioKai]

That's nice, but have you considered a backplate and wing?

Now that's funny. LOL

 

[LioKai]

Aloha PW1981.
I think that part of the issue is that we (BP/W users) started out with the basic jacket BCD and disliked it. We purchased BCD after BCD after BCD, loathing the darn things more and more as time went by. We also spent thousands (selling for less than hundreds) of dollars on jacket BCD's that we disliked, until we each discovered BP/W on our own, (with the exception of the JJ followers who only know how to do what they are told). For many of us, our discovery of the BP/W was like discovering the cure for cancer. Most of us (not all, some are radicals) just want you to be as satisfied as we are, without blowing the tons of cash that we wasted, not to mention the years of trial and error. Since we dislike jacket style BCD's, we automaticly assume that your questions are a mask for your loathing of the jacket style BCD's too.

I get to test a LOT of different gear, BCD's included, and I always come back to a BP/W. It works for me. I let divers on my boat borrow my BP/W all the time, but only if they ask. I don't force it on them, like many of us (me included) try to do here.

Many of us are guilty of your complaint. Keep in mind that most of us (not all) are just trying to keep you (others) from making the same choices (mistakes) that we made. It really is our intention to be helpful, even though it doesn't always read that way.

As a representitive of the BP/W community, I apologize.

Matthew