question about new scubapro bc?

[MaresMan1]

:doctor:

I had a chance to play with the Mares version (Pegasus) of the Scubapro Classic A2 and it's a vast improvement to buoyancy control. Nothing hanging for better streamlining, nothing to hold over you head and the ability to make very fine adjustments in your trim very quickly. The connector to the inflator is exactly the same as any other BC. The inflator buttons are big and easy to use, even with gloves.

Only thing that I was not comfortable with was with the oral inflator being in the right pocket, but if I practice a bit I'll get over it. I was not convinced either until I tried it. I understannd SeaQuest, Aqualung and Cressi are introducing their own versions. Although the Cressi version is a joystick. Don't know if I like that (have to try it).

The Airtrim line of BCs (DragonFly) has won Scuba Lab's Best of the Best awards, so there must be something to this. This one is definately on my new BC list.

:mean:

 

[leadweight]

Initially, I wondered why Scubapro would market something that does away with the Air2, but later I realized that the way they price their BC's an Air2 cost less than their balanced inflator and an R190 together.

It looks like this system is going to be the next must-have gizmo, just like integrated weights have become. Let's hope it does not have the same initial problems as the velcro dump-o-matic integrated weight pouches that some manufacturers are just getting around to redesigning.

 

[Genesis]

I very much doubt that any gimmick can improve on the trim and security of a simple BP+wing system.

What it can do, though, is drain another $500 from your wallet, along with bringing a COMPLETELY non-standard (and non-obvious to someone who comes across you on the bottom in an emergency) way of dealing with oral inflation and power inflation control to the game.

(BTW, there is no reason to have an oral inflator tube that goes 3/4 of the way to your crotch on a BC. It only has to reach to your mouth to be used as intended!)

 

[leadweight]

Genesis once bubbled...

(BTW, there is no reason to have an oral inflator tube that goes 3/4 of the way to your crotch on a BC. It only has to reach to your mouth to be used as intended!)

?????

 

[Genesis]

are close to a foot too long!

That's where the "danglie" problem with them comes from, of course.

There's no reason for that. The inflator has to reach your mouth, but that's it. The actual length of corrugated hose required is much shorter than is frequently supplied.

 

[MaresMan1]

I respect your opinion, but I would not even try to compare these BCs to a BP/W setup. They are two different planets in my book. I do not like the BP/W style of BC, or any back inflated BC for that matter (just my thing).

A wonderful thing about diving is that there are so many different types and styles of divers. Each having their own likes and dislikes.

I was a very big skeptic before I tried the Mares Pegasus/Morphous. Now that I have played with them, I can tell you that by removing the dangly thingy, they have made a vast improvement on the old BCD design. Trim control is lightning fast with little effort. This is really great for newbies who are having trouble with bouyancy control. It's also great for divers into Video and Photography; so simple, so quick, so streamlined, so lite (for a jacket BC).

I also think that this development is validated by every other manuf jumping on the bandwagon (ScubaPro, SeaQuest, Cressi, Dacor). Could be sales or safety reasons. My only concern was the oral inflator, but this can be adjusted to, and I am sure will be improved (I added a mouthpiece to mine).

Please do not confuse this with the HUB (which I do not like). This is just an improvement on the BC inflator, which ScubaLab gave the Best of the Best award (DragonFly). The components are basically the same as any other BC, just improved (IMHO).

Bottom line, everyone make their own choice for comfort and safety. This is not a gimmick in my book and I am now on the bandwagon (just sold my SeaQuest for the Mares Pegasus). And by the way, these BC are in the $299 to $399(USD) price range, from what I found (paid $349 for mine)

:mean:

 

[Genesis]

I come across you on the bottom with one of these things.

You're unresponsive but breathing.

I need to (1) get you to the surface safely, and in control, and (2) keep you there once you get there.

How do I do it without instruction in how to use your "power-inflate/deflate" BC?

The problem isn't whether YOU can figure it out. Its whether its immediately obvious to anyone else who happens upon you in an emergency situation.

I don't think it will be, which means, for me at least, that the "newfangled designs" have problems.

Power deflation is a gimmick and another thing to break, possibly with ugly consequences. (consider a "stuck deflate" scenario on a wall dive with a 3500 foot "bottom"!) Its also another complexity to maintain, raising mainteance costs (real popular with the shops, not so popular with me.) I can change the power inflator on my BC for about $20 - less than it costs me to have one serviced! How much will THIS thing cost to overhaul and/or replace if it fails?

Finally what problem does it solve that is currently present??

 

[leadweight]

Here we go with the nonstandard gear impeads a rescue argument. First answer is press the inflate button on your own BC to get to the surface. Not too difficult. By the way, there are lot of different inflator designs around with not all of them looking like the generic ones that come on most wings. What to do, try both buttons, really tough. Guess what, the inflator for the pneumatic systems is in roughly the same place as a normal inflator and has two buttons. Pretty soon everyone is going to know about these things anyway.

By the way, the continuous webbing harness found on BP's creates a nonstandard rescue scenario when it comes time to strip gear. What should I do? I guess we just don't live in a DIR-perfect world where everyone has identical gear at all times.

 

[Genesis]

my primary "against" argument is that the "power deflate" is a gimmick, and another thing to break, require maintenance, be expensive when it DOES malfunction and generally cause trouble.

Its a solution without a problem, IMHO.

 

[MaresMan1]

Genesis,

I felt exactly like you do at one time, but I went to a dive show and tried it. Then I took one out for a test drive. Big yellow button (BIG button, easy to see, never moves) inflate; silver white button (BIG button, never moves) deflate. Really stands out in the water.

The connectors are exactly the same on a standard BC Inflator hose (basically the same two buttons just locked to your left hip). The power inflate/deflate works the same way as a standard BC design. No more looking like John Travolta. Very simple. That is the entire point. Bouyancy control is definately easier to control ( I was able to make adjuctment much faster than I ever could with the inflator tube thingy).

It's simple and safe so that you can concentrate on other important things. It is not complicated or dificult to use. Just very efficient. It's not for everyone, but it is certainly not dangerous.

:mean: