recreational/warm water only (which bcd?)

[halocline]

My main hobby is reefkeeping which is what got me into diving.

Welcome to diving! Two things come to mind:

1. Believe it or not, diving is substantially cheaper than reefkeeping. It's a refreshing change to visit the animals in their home as opposed to hosting them in yours. I used to build skimmers and calcium reactors to feed my reef habit. It still cost a fortune.
2. Once you start diving, and visit some great tropical sites, your approach to reefkeeping might change! Mine did, I gave it up...hehe...but for sure you get a whole new appreciation for space and light.

My more thoughtful advice about buying a BC is to either 1) purchase something used and inexpensive to get through a season or two of diving, and get some buoyancy control. This will help you to better evaluate the differences between various BCs. or 2) Make sure you try a BP/W system before you buy anything. You want to try one with a rigid plate, minimal webbing harness, and small, streamlined wing.

Most scuba gear decisions have far less impact on your diving than the salesmen might make you think, but IMO the BC type really does make a big difference.

 

[Gilchristz]

My more thoughtful advice about buying a BC is to either 1) purchase something used and inexpensive to get through a season or two of diving, and get some buoyancy control. This will help you to better evaluate the differences between various BCs. or 2) Make sure you try a BP/W system before you buy anything. You want to try one with a rigid plate, minimal webbing harness, and small, streamlined wing.

I could not agree more with this. I was Recently certified in early march and bought a jacket right away because it was all i had used and i wanted my own stuff for a trip to Cozumel than someone let me try a BP/W and i immediately loved it. See if you can give a BP/W a try and maybe you'll like it or not but at least you'd be making an informed decision.

 

[tmc13]

Welcome to diving! Two things come to mind:

1. Believe it or not, diving is substantially cheaper than reefkeeping. It's a refreshing change to visit the animals in their home as opposed to hosting them in yours. I used to build skimmers and calcium reactors to feed my reef habit. It still cost a fortune.
2. Once you start diving, and visit some great tropical sites, your approach to reefkeeping might change! Mine did, I gave it up...hehe...but for sure you get a whole new appreciation for space and light.

My more thoughtful advice about buying a BC is to either 1) purchase something used and inexpensive to get through a season or two of diving, and get some buoyancy control. This will help you to better evaluate the differences between various BCs. or 2) Make sure you try a BP/W system before you buy anything. You want to try one with a rigid plate, minimal webbing harness, and small, streamlined wing.

Most scuba gear decisions have far less impact on your diving than the salesmen might make you think, but IMO the BC type really does make a big difference.

Thanks, diving is something I should have been doing a long time ago. Yes, I agree, reefkeeping is alot more expensive than diving, but I can't ever picture myself without some kind of aquarium set up no matter where I live.

I could not agree more with this. I was Recently certified in early march and bought a jacket right away because it was all i had used and i wanted my own stuff for a trip to Cozumel than someone let me try a BP/W and i immediately loved it. See if you can give a BP/W a try and maybe you'll like it or not but at least you'd be making an informed decision.

I've been looking at the deepseasupply.com site and they offer full rig configurations. The problem is I don't know what to choose. Horseshoe or doughnut wing, and then they have different ones: such as Torus and LCD with different numbers after them that I don't understand. They also offer two different style backplates, Stainless steel and the pro-fit Hybrid kydex. Any suggestions?

 

[DCBC]

As far as local diving, I can't stand cold water. That's why I went to Florida for my OW.

Pussy....

I agree with buying a reasonably priced B.C. There are a number that are available for sale used. Many divers get certified and don't dive, so sell their equipment. You can usually obtain equipment in excellent condition quite reasonable. Later on, you will have a better idea on exactly what you want from diving and if it's worth the expense for better equipment and if so, the type you want.

Generally speaking Divers think the best type of equipment/brand is that which they've purchased. Don't get sold on a BP/W as the only way to go. There are different tools for each job. Use what you're comfortable with; there's no hurray to buy the best technical equipment, especially if it's for recreational diving. As you gain experience you will have a better idea.

 

[tmc13]

Pussy....

I agree with buying a reasonably priced B.C. There are a number that are available for sale used. Many divers get certified and don't dive, so sell their equipment. You can usually obtain equipment in excellent condition quite reasonable. Later on, you will have a better idea on exactly what you want from diving and if it's worth the expense for better equipment and if so, the type you want.

Generally speaking Divers think the best type of equipment/brand is that which they've purchased. Don't get sold on a BP/W as the only way to go. There are different tools for each job. Use what you're comfortable with; there's no hurray to buy the best technical equipment, especially if it's for recreational diving. As you gain experience you will have a better idea.

Ha funny, When it comes to cold water that's actually a true statement, I'm a big baby. I do understand about not being married to one BC or another. I think I'm actually in a good position because I don't have a preference for anything at this point being a newbie. So I want to choose something I will be happy with down the line. No matter what I choose it will take some getting used to. I am leaning more towards the BP/W rig. I just have to do some more research as to what I need. All you guys have been really helpful so far in your replies.

 

[Gilchristz]

I've been looking at the deepseasupply.com site and they offer full rig configurations. The problem is I don't know what to choose. Horseshoe or doughnut wing, and then they have different ones: such as Torus and LCD with different numbers after them that I don't understand. They also offer two different style backplates, Stainless steel and the pro-fit Hybrid kydex. Any suggestions?

The numbers after the wing name i.e. Torus 35, Torus 26 and LCD 20, LCD 30 .. are the number of pounds the wing can lift. As for the backplates the Stainless steel is exactly that and weighs between 4 and 7 pounds depending on what size you get. the Hybrid kydex is part stainless and part plastic blend and is lighter than the stainless which would be good if your concerned with weight when traveling. The advantage of the stainless steel backplate is you will have to carry less weight when you dive.

 

[halocline]

Thanks, diving is something I should have been doing a long time ago. Yes, I agree, reefkeeping is alot more expensive than diving, but I can't ever picture myself without some kind of aquarium set up no matter where I live.



I've been looking at the deepseasupply.com site and they offer full rig configurations. The problem is I don't know what to choose. Horseshoe or doughnut wing, and then they have different ones: such as Torus and LCD with different numbers after them that I don't understand. They also offer two different style backplates, Stainless steel and the pro-fit Hybrid kydex. Any suggestions?

DSS set ups are excellent, and one of the best features is the customer service from Tobin, the owner. If you call him he can really help you choose the rig that's best for you. In part it depends on what your weight requirements are. For example, if you are using a 3mil wetsuit for tropical diving with an AL80 tank, the typical rental, you should know how much weight you need in that situation. Let's say it's 10 lbs, which is probably about average, that's 4 lbs to offset the buoyancy of the empty tank, and 6lbs or so to sink the thin wetsuit and your buoyant jacket BC. If you were to get a steel plate, you'd need no more than 4 lbs, that could be 2 lb weight in pockets on the cam bands or on the waist belt. You'd almost certainly need less than 20 lbs lift, and that LCD20 is a very nice little wing. You'd want the standard harness, not the pro-fit. Your whole rig would weigh about 8 lbs, which isn't much more than some jacket BCs, and would pack down very compactly in luggage.

With AL80s in warm water, that SS plate/20lb wing is tough to beat. Another really great option IMO is the freedom plate (made by a forum member Eric S.....) and the oxycheq MachV wing, again with standard webbing harness.

The kydex plate offers some weight advantage in luggage but IMO you should buy dive gear based on dive performance above all. It's very unlikely that the few extra pounds would put you over the weight limit for baggage in a way that could not easily be compensated for, like carrying a smaller amount of shampoo or switching to a slightly lighter bag. I get a chuckle out of people complaining about busting baggage weight limits with dive gear when they have 15lb suitcases....

The kydex plate is best if you're using heavy steel tanks, especially doubles, and you don't want the ballast on your back.

 

[tmc13]

The numbers after the wing name i.e. Torus 35, Torus 26 and LCD 20, LCD 30 .. are the number of pounds the wing can lift. As for the backplates the Stainless steel is exactly that and weighs between 4 and 7 pounds depending on what size you get. the Hybrid kydex is part stainless and part plastic blend and is lighter than the stainless which would be good if your concerned with weight when traveling. The advantage of the stainless steel backplate is you will have to carry less weight when you dive.

DSS set ups are excellent, and one of the best features is the customer service from Tobin, the owner. If you call him he can really help you choose the rig that's best for you. In part it depends on what your weight requirements are. For example, if you are using a 3mil wetsuit for tropical diving with an AL80 tank, the typical rental, you should know how much weight you need in that situation. Let's say it's 10 lbs, which is probably about average, that's 4 lbs to offset the buoyancy of the empty tank, and 6lbs or so to sink the thin wetsuit and your buoyant jacket BC. If you were to get a steel plate, you'd need no more than 4 lbs, that could be 2 lb weight in pockets on the cam bands or on the waist belt. You'd almost certainly need less than 20 lbs lift, and that LCD20 is a very nice little wing. You'd want the standard harness, not the pro-fit. Your whole rig would weigh about 8 lbs, which isn't much more than some jacket BCs, and would pack down very compactly in luggage.

With AL80s in warm water, that SS plate/20lb wing is tough to beat. Another really great option IMO is the freedom plate (made by a forum member Eric S.....) and the oxycheq MachV wing, again with standard webbing harness.

The kydex plate offers some weight advantage in luggage but IMO you should buy dive gear based on dive performance above all. It's very unlikely that the few extra pounds would put you over the weight limit for baggage in a way that could not easily be compensated for, like carrying a smaller amount of shampoo or switching to a slightly lighter bag. I get a chuckle out of people complaining about busting baggage weight limits with dive gear when they have 15lb suitcases....

The kydex plate is best if you're using heavy steel tanks, especially doubles, and you don't want the ballast on your back.

Awesome information guys!!!! This is helping me tremendously.

 

[ams511]

LOL, exactly.

You will be feeding the fishes, literally.

---------- Post added June 24th, 2013 at 02:16 PM ----------

Awesome information guys!!!! This is helping me tremendously.

Halocline's posts basically has most of the information you need covered. Besides DSS and Oxycheq, Dive Rite and Hollis make quality reasonably priced BP/W setups. Also please remember that many online dive shops will deal with you so you may be able to get an item for less than the advertised price.

For tropical diving, Hollis and Dive Rite have a 25 lb wing which is in between the 20 and 30 lb lift wings that Oxycheq and DSS provide.

 

[triggerman365]

Cave Adventurer's has a great deal on a 23lbs wing set up, might be worth checking out.

Hog Single Tank Wing Package [HOG-WingPKG-01] - $289.99 : Cave Adventurers!, We will NOT be undersold!!!