recreational/warm water only (which bcd?)

[tmc13]

Hi everyone, I just finished my OW in Palm Beach this week. As the title states, I want to buy a bcd, but as a new diver it's pretty overwhelming. I will only be recreational diving in tropical water (twice a year). I will also be diving here at home in a 3, 000 gallon aquarium for maintenanceat at least bi-weekly. So if you were me, what bcd would you buy? I am leaning towards jacket style because that is all I know and have used. In my research, it seems I can't go wrong with a scubapro classic. I was also thinking about some light travel bc's such as the Cressi lightweight or scubapro go. If this was the type of diving you would be doing, what would you buy? Other brands and suggestions are more than welcome. Thanks in advance

 

[halocline]

Start reading about backplate/wing systems, and have fun!

 

[spectrum]

Congratulations on your certificaition!

First of all do not look for an answer in this thread, look for an education. Everyone's needs and decisions will be different. If you have good gear available to borrow or rent that is a great way to sort things out. It sounds like you have a candidate already, perhaps what you trained in. Your gear, your decision. You are not married to the stuff and you can soon revover any depreciation if you decide to flip it latter on. The important thing is to get out there diving.

Here is an old post of mine that highlights some features and preferences that went into my original decision. The Avid is in retirement (still in fine shape) after over 400 dives. My main rig is now a Freedom plate and 30 pound Oxycheq wing. The Avid was too small for my drysuit with a heavy undergarment but is dove every bit as nice as my BP&W. If you go with a jacket, fit is almost everything as the adjustments have definite limits.

Now what's this about not diving locally?

Pete

 

[cb5150]

I only have experience with Zeagle and Aqualung BCDs. However, I recently switched to a BPW and will never go back to a regular BCD. BPWs are so versatile, so minimalist, so easy to travel with and so much less expensive. Plus, my cool factor went up 3 points.

There are so many choices on the market, you can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

You should also check with the Aquarium. You may not be able to use your own BC in it. Some have strict requirements for gear to avoid contaminating the tank with invasive organisms.

 

[tmc13]

Congratulations on your certificaition!

First of all do not look for an answer in this thread, look for an education. Everyone's needs and decisions will be different. If you have good gear available to borrow or rent that is a great way to sort things out. It sounds like you have a candidate already, perhaps what you trained in. Your gear, your decision. You are not married to the stuff and you can soon revover any depreciation if you decide to flip it latter on. The important thing is to get out there diving.

Here is an old post of mine that highlights some features and preferences that went into my original decision. The Avid is in retirement (still in fine shape) after over 400 dives. My main rig is now a Freedom plate and 30 pound Oxycheq wing. The Avid was too small for my drysuit with a heavy undergarment but is dove every bit as nice as my BP&W. If you go with a jacket, fit is almost everything as the adjustments have definite limits.

Now what's this about not diving locally?

Pete

Hi, thanks for the reply. Yes, I will wait and see some of the responses I get before making any decisions. As far as local diving, I can't stand cold water. That's why I went to Florida for my OW. I just don't think I will ever dive locally. My main hobby is reefkeeping which is what got me into diving. So tropical locations is where it is at for me. I hope to someday live in a tropical climate.

---------- Post added June 23rd, 2013 at 10:35 AM ----------

I only have experience with Zeagle and Aqualung BCDs. However, I recently switched to a BPW and will never go back to a regular BCD. BPWs are so versatile, so minimalist, so easy to travel with and so much less expensive. Plus, my cool factor went up 3 points.

There are so many choices on the market, you can't go wrong with any of them.

Can you give me some company names who market BPW's? I will look into them, but with no experience I'm not sure what to look for as far as fit. Never wearing one, I don't know what is supposed to feel like.

---------- Post added June 23rd, 2013 at 10:37 AM ----------

You should also check with the Aquarium. You may not be able to use your own BC in it. Some have strict requirements for gear to avoid contaminating the tank with invasive organisms.

Good thought. This is actually a private aquarium, so no rules really, but still good to keep in mind.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Even worse if it's private. Screw it up and the owner just makes you disappear.

 

[tmc13]

Even worse if it's private. Screw it up and the owner just makes you disappear.

LOL, exactly.

 

[cb5150]

There are as many companies making BPW rigs as there are regular BCDs. Lots of folks on this board use BPWs from Dive Gear Express | Equipment for Experienced Divers and www.deepseasupply.com as well as from Jim Lapenta who is one of the folks responding on this string. I use an Apeks (part of Aqualung) BPW but only because I get a discount at the dive shop where I work part time. Speaking purely from personal experience, I have been absolutely amazed at the customer service from Dive Gear Express. I'm a loyal consumer so they will get first shot at my money when my wife buys her BPW.

Fit? The adjustments are endless, thats why they are great. For me the big seller was being able to spread my weight across my back (Stainless Steel backplate) as opposed to one small area on my hips. I already had good horizontal trim, now I don't even have to think about it. I also like the way it can be packed into a much smaller area in my suitcase when I travel.

Did I mention that if Chuck Norris was a diver, he'd use a BPW?

 

[tmc13]

There are as many companies making BPW rigs as there are regular BCDs. Lots of folks on this board use BPWs from Dive Gear Express | Equipment for Experienced Divers and www.deepseasupply.com as well as from Jim Lapenta who is one of the folks responding on this string. I use an Apeks (part of Aqualung) BPW but only because I get a discount at the dive shop where I work part time. Speaking purely from personal experience, I have been absolutely amazed at the customer service from Dive Gear Express. I'm a loyal consumer so they will get first shot at my money when my wife buys her BPW.

Fit? The adjustments are endless, thats why they are great. For me the big seller was being able to spread my weight across my back (Stainless Steel backplate) as opposed to one small area on my hips. I already had good horizontal trim, now I don't even have to think about it. I also like the way it can be packed into a much smaller area in my suitcase when I travel.

Did I mention that if Chuck Norris was a diver, he'd use a BPW?

I will definitely look into the BPW. As a new diver I really don't have a true preference at this point, so that my be a good thing. I used a jacket rig for my cert., but I haven't used any equipment long enough to make it hard for me to get used to something else. Oh, and I do like Chuck Norris.