Sherwood Avid BC

[adawg888]

Let me start by saying I know there are several threads on this BC and I have read most all of them. Looks like this is a relatively well thought of piece of equipment. My question has to do with the life of this BC.

I am in Michigan and jsut starting out. I am currently in an openwater class and I decided I wanted my own BC to learn in and get used to. I will be mostly diving in the Caribbean on vacation, but maybe the occasional boat wreck dive in the cold Michigan lakes. I have tried on the Avid and it fits me perfectly. However, a guy at one of my LDS said that the 36# lift of the Avid may be right at the limit for a guy my size (6'4" 250). The next shop I visited the guy said no problem, 36# is plenty. So confused, I called my instructor and got the answer: "It should be okay." Is there a hard and fast rule about the amount of lift needed? Would the Avid be okay for a guy like me or am I better looking at something with more lift?

Also, a little off topic I know, and I don't want to start any arguments with this question, but does anyone have experience with scubatoys.com? Are they an authorized sherwood retailer? The reason I ask is their price on the Avid is half what the LDS is selling it for. The owner even said he'd reccomend going for it online at that price and just asked that I get my regulator and other gear from him (which I would do and respect his willingness to tell me that they jsut have a great proce he can't match).

Sorry this is so long. I look forward to any guidance you can share.

Thanks!

 

[HDC]

Fistly the Avid has more than enough lift for you, I've been diving with one for 2 years, IM 6' 190lbs, and its almost too much sometimes.
In my experience it is a comforting BC because it fits so snuggly and it offers ample support out of the water. I dived the Deep South of the Red Sea in mine, heavy currents off St Johns north side, Brothers, Elphinstone, as well as numerous Carribean dives. went to the WWII Italian Bomber off Greece 70 meters to the tail wheel no problem, again went deep to the 'Arch' (the thing where there's supposed to be a Pharo's undersea grave ... ?) in the red sea again no problems.
The D ring arrangement is ok, with a bit of rigging you can easily get an efficient stage cylinder set on the left, and the shoulder straps support knife and strobe without problems. In well over 300+ dives over 2 years it still looks new. I have the pockets stuffed with spare torch/mask/dsmb/reel/mirror/gloves, and have dragged it all over the world Nothing gave out. My only complaint is that it has no carrying handle which can be irritating. Plus the 'fold up snorkel' pocket is a waste of space, fits nothing and gets in the way. I had mine removed.
Ultimately the most important thing is fit. If it fits good and you like it buy it. I think they are about $270 bucks at leisurepro.com . DK know anything about Scuba toys Dont feel bad about your LDS, with the extra money saved you can treat yourself to an Atomic M1 or B2 Reg .

Let me start by saying I know there are several threads on this BC and I have read most all of them. Looks like this is a relatively well thought of piece of equipment. My question has to do with the life of this BC.

I am in Michigan and jsut starting out. I am currently in an openwater class and I decided I wanted my own BC to learn in and get used to. I will be mostly diving in the Caribbean on vacation, but maybe the occasional boat wreck dive in the cold Michigan lakes. I have tried on the Avid and it fits me perfectly. However, a guy at one of my LDS said that the 36# lift of the Avid may be right at the limit for a guy my size (6'4" 250). The next shop I visited the guy said no problem, 36# is plenty. So confused, I called my instructor and got the answer: "It should be okay." Is there a hard and fast rule about the amount of lift needed? Would the Avid be okay for a guy like me or am I better looking at something with more lift?

Also, a little off topic I know, and I don't want to start any arguments with this question, but does anyone have experience with scubatoys.com? Are they an authorized sherwood retailer? The reason I ask is their price on the Avid is half what the LDS is selling it for. The owner even said he'd reccomend going for it online at that price and just asked that I get my regulator and other gear from him (which I would do and respect his willingness to tell me that they jsut have a great proce he can't match).

Sorry this is so long. I look forward to any guidance you can share.

Thanks!

 

[ScubaJW]

I understand that you wanted to get used to it, but I don't recommend you to put your BCD in a pool (chlorine) that will ruin the colors of your BCD. It will be older than it should be - if you care to know. You can go for rental BCD while in class and then buy a new BCD, it will be like riding in a bicycle that you will get used to it almost immediately!

ScubaToys.com is fabuolous and yes, they are authorized dealers on sherwood and everything they have. I bought my scuba equipments from him and it turned out great!

Good luck with your open water classes!

 

[WVDiver]

I love mine, it is comfortable and I have used many different BC's. I especially like the dual tank strap system.

I agree with HDC that no carry hande can be a bit of an inconvience. HDC, I use the snorkel pocket for a safety sausage, it fits perfectly.

As far as SCUBAJW's comment regarding pool water, well depending on where you live, I think that the chlorine in most pools isn't all that much higher than your average tap water. If you suspect it may be higher then hose it off like you would any other time. I personally have had mine in the pool a good bit and have not experienced any discoloration. It is 4 years old and well used.

I also like all the D-rings, they come in handy for sure. Mine looks brand new and I haven't experienced any problems at all.

 

[Whitelightnin]

The Avid has PLENTY of lift for you. It is an EXCELLENT BC & if you like the way it fits, you should go ahead & buy it.

Larry at SCUBATOYS goes above & beyond with his customer service. You won't find a better place to buy it on the NET (& this is comming from another dive shop owner-me).

James

 

[fishfood]

Make shure you get the new Avid..
scubatoys has the old one reduced in price... call him up and ask him how much for the new one.... they did a great job with the new weight pockets ( hmm remind me of the seaquest pockets... ). If its $100 i think its worth the price jump.. if its not get the old avid at a great price...