Oceanic Probe LX vs Oceanic Excursion

[frankc420]

Ok, so, I have the Oceanic Probe LX, I see alot of people once they've bought their first set of gear end up going w/ a back inflated BC, or BP/W setup.

What I'm wondering is, what are the advantages and disadvantages of the Probe vs the Excursion, and vise versa?

I do know, the rear inflate doesn't put the python type squeeze like the jacket. And I also know that the back inflate keeps you horizontal in the water. But I want to know the advantages other than that of the back inflate. (yes I know, just the 2 I listed are big advantages).

The reason this thread was even started is because my LDS has a 1 year buy it, try it, upgrade it policy. So, would going to an Excursion be considered an upgrade, or a downgrade?

Thanks in advance!

 

[O.M.O.H.]

The reason this thread was even started is because my LDS has a 1 year buy it, try it, upgrade it policy. So, would going to an Excursion be considered an upgrade, or a downgrade?

Thanks in advance!

Difinately an upgrade! Excursion is one of the best BC's out there. There has been plenty written about it, just do a quick search.

 

[ocgrant]

Frank,

I to started with a New Probe LX, great BC and I love it. I decided that I wanted to try a rear inflation BC since everyone I dive with seems to say they are "better". So being a huge Oceanic fan I bought the Excursion. I must say I do love it and now with 50 dive I feel I am a little more stream lined than with the Probe on, but with the Probe on I LOVE the big pockets. I find on night dives I prefer the Probe so I can carry the extra things I like to carry, camera, lights, lobster gauge etc. So bottom line they are both great but they are also both very different. But one thing I can say is they are both Oceanic and to me that means everything they are built to last and be reliable.

 

[samnewsom]

well when i got ready to start my ow the person i got my bc from talked me into the excursion so i know nothing else and have only used it in class and i do love it

 

[msmendel]

I dived with an Excursion several times a day for a week and didn't like it. It kept me face down on the surface, to the extent that I considered it a safety problem. (Before I get jumped on, I have over 100 dives and I know about surface over-inflation and weight trim as it relates to back inflation bcd's. I was face down on the surface or under the water - nothing in between - so it wasn't over-inflated, and I dropped weights until I couldn't maintain a safety stop, so I wasn't over-weighted.) It may have to do with my body type, being 5'10", 280 lbs. A thinner person on the trip with a new Excursion, claimed to have no problems.

I traded the Excursion for a Probe, and after diving the latter 16 times in a week, I love it. There is no chest squeeze even with over-inflation - it presses against your back and kidney area; position underwater was horizontal; and on the surface I was face up. It has tons of pockets and plenty of D rings.

I know the trend is to go from jacket style to back inflation, but I've gone the other way. Before the Excursion, I had a back-inflate Tour, which required very careful balancing of weights and tank position for me to be face up on the surface. Too much work, IMHO. I thought the Excursion would be an improvement. It was worse.

I think you should try them both before deciding. Your body type may affect your experience. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. Your mileage may vary.

Mark

 

[Debraw]

I dive the Excursion ( I have about 150 dives on it now) and my favorite thing about is the "freeing" feeling i get when I put it on. I tend to carry a lot of stuff on the front of my gear like my computer, camera, safety sausage and light. I think the vest inflation gets in my way with the bulk. I do miss having pockets because the Probe has big pockets and the Excursion only has one roll down one that doesn't seem to be quite wide enough for me to get things in and out easily under water, and sits a little to far back.