Please suggest BC for new diver.

[SaltyCracker]

Hello from another Virginian transplant.

Try and see if your son can have access to some local shops and try some BCD's from different brands until he finds one that really fits comfortable. Keep in mind the weights, if he wants weights integrated into BCD, prefers belt or rip cords, etc., etc.

What part of Virginia are you from?

I looked into renting from LDS but they are all dedicated to single brands. And besides that, I have a phobia of sending my son down 60' and trusting the tech that does the service. In my limited dive experience, I've had a handful of experiences where rented, class and my own gear was thought to have been serviced but fell through the cracks and was not. I only ever used my own gear and always arranged to be on site when it was serviced. I'm gonna teach my son the same lesson. Same with regulators. I've never dove with any that didn't belong to me and never would.

In terms of the octo, I would not recommend getting an integrated octopus for a myriad of reasons, but most relevant to this is the fact that not all rental regulators have provisions for one and since each different brand use one of a handful of connectors, you can't guarantee that the rental regulator will be able to connect which would obviously be bad.

OP, please don't get an integrated octo.

I think I understand your point and it seems to be for somebody only renting gear right? Would you still advise the same thing for somebody owning their own gear? What would be the solution if an integrated wasn't used? Sorry for what are probably basic questions but I only had about 50 dives 15 yrs ago. I've forgotten it all and feel like I'm starting over again.

 

[SaltyCracker]

Is Chesapeake Bay considered cold water diving? 7mm wetsuits with 20lbs+ lead? If so, forget the three warm water travel BCs. You will wear them out.

Which ones are considered "travel" BCs?
We'd only be diving the Bay during the Summer and Fall months so not cold yet.
I still think I want to stay away from a travel BC though.

 

[Still Kicking]

Which ones are considered "travel" BCs?
We'd only be diving the Bay during the Summer and Fall months so not cold yet.
I still think I want to stay away from a travel BC though.

The ones that say travel BC in the description ie the first three. Looks like Covert is also lightweight and travel oriented.

If he goes full bore into something like you say, get him gear that will last. But also remember he is growing. The BPW option is super durable and will grow with him but may not be optimal for teaching (depends on the instructor).

Hence my original advice to go with rental gear until he gets some experience. You are right to be cautious sbout using rental gear but part of the class should focus on how to evaluate the gear and test for normal operation at the time of rental. Don't let them give you gear and say "trust us."

 

[James79]

I think I understand your point and it seems to be for somebody only renting gear right? Would you still advise the same thing for somebody owning their own gear? What would be the solution if an integrated wasn't used? Sorry for what are probably basic questions but I only had about 50 dives 15 yrs ago. I've forgotten it all and feel like I'm starting over again.

Integrated Octo's are a potential issue with rental gear, but for many of us the bigger concern is how they are in operation. Some people like them. I tried one, and tried it correctly (spent some time breathing off it while managing buoyancy and depth changes) and found it moderately miserable in use. I now use a 40 inch primary hose run under my arm and a 22 inch alternate on a necklace (primary donate, the alternate is for me). Weight and hoses wise, I found the integrated octo didn't save enough to be worth the hassles if I ever had to deploy it in anger. Biggest thing, though, is that you and your boys know what method (primary donate/alternate donate) each other uses and practice it.

Respectfully,

James

 

[Jake 10]

What part of Virginia are you from?

I looked into renting from LDS but they are all dedicated to single brands. And besides that, I have a phobia of sending my son down 60' and trusting the tech that does the service. In my limited dive experience, I've had a handful of experiences where rented, class and my own gear was thought to have been serviced but fell through the cracks and was not. I only ever used my own gear and always arranged to be on site when it was serviced. I'm gonna teach my son the same lesson. Same with regulators. I've never dove with any that didn't belong to me and never would.

Hi @SaltyCracker, we are in the Herndon, Reston, Dulles area, and have a house in Sandbridge, VA in VA Beach. There are plenty of LDS in the metro DC/VA/MD area. Some have pools you can test their rental equipment, others do their lessons and test in local quarries. We often go to FL and the Keys. We rented from Sea Base (BSA), Rainbow Reef, Key Dives, Island Venture, and others. We have also being to Bahamas twice and rented locally. The boys own their mask, fins, and BCD. I have my own set, and as of this Christmas (keep it a secret) the boys will have their own Regulators, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, SPG, Compass set.

I understand your phobia and that is why I use SB to look for professional and reputable LDS in the areas we travel too, as well in NOVA area. Rent and try them in shallow reefs dives of 30 or 50 ft. Once you are comfortable with the equipment then you can venture into 60ft or more.

I take by your profile, and correct me if I'm wrong. You are AOW? I will suggest Key Dives in Islamorada Key. They do a lot of reef dives appropriate for OW and AOW divers. You dive with a DM and they take care of you in every aspect of the dive, quenching your phobia.

 

[SaltyCracker]

DGX Custom - DGX Gears Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing Package This will give you what you want and allow for his physical growth without having to replace the whole thing.

Erik

Have a look at this DGX package. Soft backplate. $399. Includes weight pockets.

DGX Gears SoftPack BCD Package

The DGX Gears SoftPack BCD package is an excellent value that includes a well padded soft backplate harness integrated with a DGX Gears S1 Wing.

www.divegearexpress.com

I'm taking another look at what's been suggested here and I'm liking these two also.
I like the padded harness of the the second one but it's a "soft" BP. What's the point? How does it serve as a back plate if it's just soft material? Why not just go with one of the Zeagle back inflation models?

 

[Marie13]

I'm taking another look at what's been suggested here and I'm liking these two also.
I like the padded harness of the the second one but it's a "soft" BP. What's the point? How does it serve as a back plate if it's just soft material? Why not just go with one of the Zeagle back inflation models?

It’s modeled on the Dive Rite Transpac. I don’t know about the Zeagle, but this DGX package is totally modular. Just like how a BP/W is modular except it’s a soft backplate. The Transpac is what my DR Nomad XT sidemount rig is built on. Really like it. One piece continuous harnesses have never worked for me. This harness has quick releases and straps that loosen to make it easier to get in/out of it. More like a regular BC harness.

Plus the package has the two tank straps as others have recommended.

I also suggested it because it fit your budget.

 

[drrich2]

I like the padded harness of the the second one but it's a "soft" BP. What's the point?

From the DGX website: "The soft backpack design is more comfortable yet still offers a system of harness and backplate with a wing, however the backplate is made from flexible high-tech material that incorporates lumbar support together with ergonomic adjustable shoulder straps. The soft packs listed below offer substantially more lumbar padding and adjustment options than a traditional hard backplate design."

I suspect a soft backplate would be lighter weight and more flexible and easier to pack compactly?

Padding sounds nice, but it's positively buoyant and requires more lead weight to counter. Consider what portions of a rig actually weigh on or press against you. With my aluminum backplate, as long as I have at least a 3-mm short on, I don't feel uncomfortable pressure from the bare metal backplate. If I wore a t-shirt, I could boat dive fine, and shore dive if not doing extended overland walks. I like the shoulder straps to have padded covers, since when I stand that's where the weight bears down. Most of your dive, your body is near neutrally buoyant, hanging down from the wing, held by straps (webbing/harness). Padding may matter when you stand and walk to dive in, or climb out and go sit.

I like Dive Gear Express and I've learned from reading on their website, but from their info. above, I wonder...why do you need substantially more lumbar padding? Adjust what? Maybe if you do a lot of shore diving and have back trouble?

So to me, aside from the shoulder straps, padding does no good. It's not just non-essential, it doesn't even add to my comfort. And since a wetsuit would bear some of the shoulder strap pressure, I'm not sure how much good the strap pads do there.

 

[Marie13]

I took out the very padded back pad from my Transpac. Didn’t need it.

 

[Marie13]

From the DGX website: "The soft backpack design is more comfortable yet still offers a system of harness and backplate with a wing, however the backplate is made from flexible high-tech material that incorporates lumbar support together with ergonomic adjustable shoulder straps. The soft packs listed below offer substantially more lumbar padding and adjustment options than a traditional hard backplate design."

I suspect a soft backplate would be lighter weight and more flexible and easier to pack compactly?

Padding sounds nice, but it's positively buoyant and requires more lead weight to counter. Consider what portions of a rig actually weigh on or press against you. With my aluminum backplate, as long as I have at least a 3-mm short on, I don't feel uncomfortable pressure from the bare metal backplate. If I wore a t-shirt, I could boat dive fine, and shore dive if not doing extended overland walks. I like the shoulder straps to have padded covers, since when I stand that's where the weight bears down. Most of your dive, your body is near neutrally buoyant, hanging down from the wing, held by straps (webbing/harness). Padding may matter when you stand and walk to dive in, or climb out and go sit.

I like Dive Gear Express and I've learned from reading on their website, but from their info. above, I wonder...why do you need substantially more lumbar padding? Adjust what? Maybe if you do a lot of shore diving and have back trouble?

So to me, aside from the shoulder straps, padding does no good. It's not just non-essential, it doesn't even add to my comfort. And since a wetsuit would bear some of the shoulder strap pressure, I'm not sure how much good the strap pads do there.

It’s a knockoff of the Dive Rite Transpac. That should answer all your questions there.