Quality BCD for recreational dry suit diving - what to buy?

[chia3]

Hello!

I'm about to buy my first BCD. I've done about 25 dives since I took the OWD+AOWD courses last spring. All of these have been done with a Scubapro T-Force BCD.

I dive excusively with dry suit (cold waters here in Norway, especially in the winter), so I won't be using the BCD for bouyancy control while under water. However, I see it as important that the BCD fullfills the following:

• good build quality
• comfortable to wear
• easily balanced (I use as much as 10-14 kg weight)
• handy with pockets and D-rings
• quickly droppable weight pockets in case of emergency

I'm fairly satisfied with the Scubapro T-Force, but I've got nothing to compare with. Besides, I think the weight pockets are a little tight and slow to drop. I think it took to much time and effort doing this as an excercise at the OWD-course.

I've had a look at some of Mares' BCDs and think a few of them look a little tempting with the MRS weight release system (and they have even got colors )

What are your recommendations on a BCD (any brand) that fullfills the above? I'm planning on spending no more than 600 USD (and hopefully not more than 500 USD).

 

[RJP]

I dive excusively with dry suit so I won't be using the BCD for bouyancy control while under water.

Why is that?

 

[chia3]

Why is that?

Not really what I asked for / wanted to discuss, but: Because I inflate/deflate my dry suit and use this as buoyancy control instead. This is what I learnt at the course, although I know there are different practices on this area... Please share with me yours, if you're eager. Even more, please share with me your thoughts on great BCDs!

 

[RJP]

Not really what I asked for / wanted to discuss, but: Because I inflate/deflate my dry suit and use this as buoyancy control instead. This is what I learnt at the course, although I know there are different practices on this area... Please share with me yours, if you're eager. Even more, please share with me your thoughts on great BCDs!

BP & wing, then use the wing for buoyancy control at depth. Use the suit to keep squeeze off.

The simple harness of a BP/W configuration is much more comfortable with the dry suit than the cumberbunds and straps and buckles etc.

If you do decide to go with a traditional BCD, I would suggest a back inflate with minimal straps/etc.

 

[chia3]

Aha, thank you very much for your tip and opinion!
Now I've actually been tipped about the BP (backplate?) and wing-config by two persons, so I will give it a serious concideration.

 

[evil_xander]

Really, consider a BP/W as it will allow you to require a bit less weight (stainless steel backplate, and less padding and various fabric on the unit itself).

I dropped a nice 6kg of lead from my belt just by switching from a regular jacket type BC to a BP/W. Now, with a drysuit, I need only 8kg of lead on my belt.

If you're looking at a BP/W, definetly look only at single tank wings, stainless steel backplate (no AL) and one piece harness, as you have no plans for tech diving and doubles at this point. Double tank wings will trap air and be a tad tricky to dive on a single tank as they are too big.

Hope this helps.

 

[Skull]

Try DUI BC w/crotch strap. Basically a rec jacket with loads of options. If I were going to buy a new rec jacket BC thats where I would start. Currently dive a Halcyon BP/W and for rec diving a Tusa Cubic ...wish it had a crotch strap factory installed ...therefore DUI.

 

[batmanusa]

You can't go wrong with the Poseidon Besea. With or without plate.

 

[PerroneFord]

At the risk of piling on, I am going to suggest you sit down and really try to think this through.

Using the drysuit for buoyancy brings about a lot of problems, not the least of which is a real potential for a runaway ascent. The suits vent to slowly to correct an issue if you lose control of your buoyancy.

You mention you want the option of dropping weights quickly. Why? I believe if you start asking yourself the why behind this, you'll find that probably the LAST thing you want to do in a drysuit is drop weight.

What do you plan on carrying in the pockets of a BCD? Does your drytsuit have pockets? What do you normally carry on your dives?

Like others, I would recommend strongly considering a BP/W as much for it's ability to reduce the amount of weight you need on a belt, to it's ability to trim well underwater, to it's adjustability as you change undergarments through the seasons. You can even get some nice examples in your indicated price range.

But before buying anything, sit down and ask yourself some "why" questions and try to think through how you are conducting your dives.

Hello!

I'm about to buy my first BCD. I've done about 25 dives since I took the OWD+AOWD courses last spring. All of these have been done with a Scubapro T-Force BCD.

I dive excusively with dry suit (cold waters here in Norway, especially in the winter), so I won't be using the BCD for bouyancy control while under water. However, I see it as important that the BCD fullfills the following:

• good build quality
• comfortable to wear
• easily balanced (I use as much as 10-14 kg weight)
• handy with pockets and D-rings
• quickly droppable weight pockets in case of emergency

I'm fairly satisfied with the Scubapro T-Force, but I've got nothing to compare with. Besides, I think the weight pockets are a little tight and slow to drop. I think it took to much time and effort doing this as an excercise at the OWD-course.

I've had a look at some of Mares' BCDs and think a few of them look a little tempting with the MRS weight release system (and they have even got colors )

What are your recommendations on a BCD (any brand) that fullfills the above? I'm planning on spending no more than 600 USD (and hopefully not more than 500 USD).

 

[PerroneFord]

You can't go wrong with the Poseidon Besea. With or without plate.

Don't these fall a bit outside the price range? Not to mention the fact that they are positively buoyant requiring even more weight on the belt.