Scubapro BCD

[Simone1992Scuba]

Hello,
I've been diving for almost one year and im starting to buy my equipment. I had a doubt about the BCD, i liked the Scubapro X-Black a lot so I wanted to know if any of you have it and how is it or any recomendation of Scubapro BCD.
Thanks,
Simone

 

[Tbar]

As far as Scubapro BCDs go I believe they are very robust, in my family we have 4 Knighthawk and 4 Ladyhawk BCs. They tend to be a bit bulky and buoyant. I do prefer back inflate.

Have you tried this BCD? I think it is always wise to try, the x-black is expensive so you don't want it to be a mistake. For me I think the BC is a key bit of dive gear, it needs to be comfortable, secure, and allow you to effectively control buoyancy and trim.

I am sure you will get comments on BPW... I do also dive with BPW and find that it is lighter, smaller and more streamlined.

 

[freckles1]

We're new divers and a friend and I recently purchased Ladyhawk BC's and our hubbies purchased Nighthawks. It was our first dive trip and each of us experienced air getting caught on one side or the other making safety stops and ascending challenging. Our dive master suggested doing several hip thrusts to help release the air or doing a somersault while pulling the release. It seemed to help. Another friend from our group who is an experienced diver purchased the Scubapro Bella which is not the back inflate which she prefers. Time will tell ... but there are several reviews on the Ladyhawk that you might want to explore. Hopefully with experience it will become easier to manage the buoyancy with the Ladyhawk. I'm hoping it's because we are new divers. It's a really nice BCD and very comfortable and secure.

 

[Simone1992Scuba]

Well BP/W is a good idea, ive only used jacket style BCD but im considering the BP/W, is there anything i should look at while buying?

 

[BoltSnap]

I started using the SP X-Force recently and it is the best jack/adjustable BC I have used in a very long time. Most stable and all D-rings are easily accessible. I used to use the Classic and then started to us BC's from Mares (horrible), Cressi and AL and now I have the SP X-Force and it is the best!! The SP "SEAHAWK" is another great BC that has more adjustability that can be of more value when you are switching between wet and dry suits.

If you want to go with BP/W, I'd recommend the Pure TEK from SP.

 

[Simone1992Scuba]

Im almost decided on buying a BP/W. I usually dive in warm mater, 3mm suit, and Al80 tank, so what configuration will be better? and what brand is good?

 

[Shotmaster]

I like my classic. It suits my style. I don't inflate it much as my buoyancy only changes from -8lbs to - 3lbs from full to empty tank. I spearfish and stay on the move. If the action is slow, I will bump a little air and get neutral sometimes to hang in one place waiting for a shot. The thing I like the best about the classic is when on the surface it is nice and stable when inflated. I like that better than the back inflate style. If you are overweighted like most who dive aluminum tanks the wing style will be more stable underwater until you make a radical attitude movement and wind up with all the air on one side. There are trade offs, for either style. I would try to find one to rent or borrow first as it is a big purchase, make sure you run them through the paces and do some spins, go head down and head up so you can see how the air moves around. Then you will be able to make the best selection.

 

[Colliam7]

Im almost decided on buying a BP/W. I usually dive in warm mater, 3mm suit, and Al80 tank, so what configuration will be better? and what brand is good?

Good for you! You will not regret the decision.

Your primary choices with a BP/W include:

1. Material (e.g. AL vs stainless steel) and weight (buoyancy) of the plate.
2. Type of harness (e.g. simple, one-piece web harness, vs a more elaborate 'deluxe' harness)
3. Wing size

Brand is usually NOT a big issue, although you will see many posts on SB that advocate a particular vendor or manufacturer (most of which are in the US).

There are a number of threads on SB that address these issues, and I would encourage you to do a search to supplement information you obtain in this thread. I dive warm water, in a 1mm suit, and wear a steel BP (6lbs), with a simple one-piece web harness, and a 30 lb wing. That wing size is actually on the large end of the size range for warm water, single cylinder diving, but it works for me. I also use an 18lb wing at times for the same environment, and that is sufficient, but just barely (for me). In that configuration (SS BP, 1mm suit, AL80 cylinder) I do not need to add any weight. I have Dive Rite plates, OMS plates, some 'homemade' plates, and I find very little difference in quality.

There are some resources, again in the US, that you can contact, and they will help you work through the selection process. In no particular order:

1. Tobin, at Deep Sea Supply, in California. He manufactures and sells BP/W and is very knowledgeable. His ScubaBoard name is cool_hardware52, and you can 'start a conversation' with him here on SB.

2. Jim Lapenta, also a member here on ScubaBoard, under that name.

3. Dive Gear Express, in FL (Dive Gear Express® | Official Site | Dive Gear Express®)

4. Dive Rite In Scuba, in Illinois (Buy Scuba Dive Gear & Accessories Online | Discount Scuba Gear Store | Dive Right In Scuba | www.diverightinscuba.com - Dive Right in Scuba)

Certainly, there are lots of posters on SB with experience and opinions about specific BP/W rigs (and I have already shared some of mine). So, I add these particular contacts because they are probably some of the more immediately accessible entities for someone in the Western hemisphere, but outside of the US.

 

[Simone1992Scuba]

Thank you guys for all the useful info!
Now that I made an idea I'll do some research and try to find a good BP/W config for me.

 

[rongoodman]

Im almost decided on buying a BP/W. I usually dive in warm mater, 3mm suit, and Al80 tank, so what configuration will be better? and what brand is good?

I use a Halcyon SS plate and 30# wing for my warm water diving. I'm sure I could get by with a smaller wing, but the one I have works well. Two XS Scuba pockets on the waist belt and two more on the camband straps let me distribute additional weight easily(8 lb on the last trip). I'm also a fan of replacing the dump valve with the one from DSS and then using it exclusively once you're below the surface.