NINman
Guest
I am in the same boat, I want to upgrade from a Jacket Style to a Back Inflate. Was thinking about a PB/Wing setup. Still researching and confused. Let me know what you decide.
READY TO MOVE UP! Your opinion would be GREATLY appreciated!!!
- Thread starter darksidetone
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scubafool
Contributor
I have dove a woreslamout Sherwood jacket, & now I dive a FredT plate with OxyCheq wings & STA. I DON'T THINK I WILL EVER BUY ANOTHER JACKET. My regular buddy dives an Avid BC & likes it, but you couldn't pay me enough to leave the surface without my BP+wings. Honestly, that is the kind of change I have experienced in my diving since the " Big Switch".
I would reccomend that you try every BC that you can borrow from your buddies, rent from an LDS, whatever, but please buy sonmething that works well for you & what you plan to do in the future. I wanted to dive the same configuration, whether I ended up diving wrecks, caves, or 30' reefs, & the only thing that I could find that would handle all of the above was the BP/W. If you have different requirements than I did, you might very possibly end somewhere different than I did. I wish you much luck in your search.
I would reccomend that you try every BC that you can borrow from your buddies, rent from an LDS, whatever, but please buy sonmething that works well for you & what you plan to do in the future. I wanted to dive the same configuration, whether I ended up diving wrecks, caves, or 30' reefs, & the only thing that I could find that would handle all of the above was the BP/W. If you have different requirements than I did, you might very possibly end somewhere different than I did. I wish you much luck in your search.
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darksidetone
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Thanks for all the great suggestions. What is the advantage fo BP/Wings as opposed to a jacket style back inflate BC? I mean functionally are they the same with just less bulk? Also, are the BP/Wings weight integrated or do you just dive with a belt? Thanks again!
Opinions vary, but streamlining is one of the advantages for me - so little bulK! So is less weight on the belt (Pug said 6# less with a SS one, but I found that # to be a bit higher if you also account for the inherant positive buoyancy of the foam padding found in many BC's. Even more if you use a 2# Single Tank Adapter). I also like the redistribution of weight. AND - I like the stability of the plate and harness vs a jacket type.darksidetone:
There are pockets available to "integrate" the weight, or you can use a belt.darksidetone:
darksidetone:
The advantage for me was that, @6'3 /190, I could never find a jacket style that fit well. The bp/w was a much steadier and comfortable platform. Fortunately, for my Nitrox class, my instructor was able to loan me a bp/w to use and I've never looked back. Is renting/borrowing an option? BTW, I no longer required any weight in fresh water and very little in salt.
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