kchfamly
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I would like some dive reports from anyone who uses the sherwood outback. I would appreciate honest feed back from users as I am very close to purchasing one.
Thanks, John
Thanks, John
Sherwood Outback users
- Thread starter kchfamly
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I have not seen an Outback other than in catalog and have certainly not dove one.
However it appears to be very similar to the Genesis Recon in general design, features and layout but with 40 lbs of lift rather than 75. In that regard it sort of replaces the Genesis Talon but with heavier construction more like the Recon. This is not a big surprise as Sherwood and Genesis are pretty much one and the same company.
The ads also mention a double cam band mini-pak on the Outback, which sounds cool and works well with singles but means it is very hard to configure for doubles. The Recon uses the same system but you can add a plate kit for another $190 and it then accomodates doubles very well. (Which at a total cost of $600 it better be able to handle doubles.) I am not sure if the plate kit can be used on the Outback but it would not surprise me if it could given the general similarities.
I like the way my Genesis Recon feels in the water and it was very stable even before adding the backplate. It is well made and very durable and I have had onlt one problem in about 300 dives with it. The one problem was a dump valve that stuck open but it was not life threatening as it was low on the bag and you could still trap air in the bladder. There was also a recall and the replacement took 5 minutes at no cost and has not been an issue since.
Both appear to use the same bungee system. And despite the negatives about bungees, it uses only two and they are fairly anemic but are effective in keeping the wing tucked in. They are also mounted under the wing and are unlikely to snag anything. They are also very easy to remove with no permanant damage required. Unlike most large wings it works well and remains stable with both doubles and singles.
Personally, If I were in the market again I would go with the Recon for the extra lift, but if you don't need the lift, the Sherwood Outback makes sense.
Actually, if I were in the market again I would probably just buy a backplate or a backplate and harness system and a wing and save a bunch of money. (I do prefer the comfort of a pair of more ergonomically designed shoulder straps and I'd most likely go with the OMS backplate and harness - I'm not sure on the wing though.)
A lot of what is right for you depends on what you want, how you dive and where you think your diving will take you.
The Recon and the Outback are both crossover BC's. The Recon with a SS backplate works very well for the deep deco (and very occassional wreck) diving I do, however a more specifically tech oriented backplate and wing would offer more flexibility if you get into caves or serious wreck penetration. It also will cut more ice with narrow minded instructors. And if you are looking at tech instruction, it's an issue to be considered.
If you are not thinking about tech diving and tech courses, then don't worry about it and don't get too hung up on the Hogarthian and DIR opinions that are out there. For recreational diving I think it would be a great BC and I would have no reservations on buying either an Outback or Recon.
However it appears to be very similar to the Genesis Recon in general design, features and layout but with 40 lbs of lift rather than 75. In that regard it sort of replaces the Genesis Talon but with heavier construction more like the Recon. This is not a big surprise as Sherwood and Genesis are pretty much one and the same company.
The ads also mention a double cam band mini-pak on the Outback, which sounds cool and works well with singles but means it is very hard to configure for doubles. The Recon uses the same system but you can add a plate kit for another $190 and it then accomodates doubles very well. (Which at a total cost of $600 it better be able to handle doubles.) I am not sure if the plate kit can be used on the Outback but it would not surprise me if it could given the general similarities.
I like the way my Genesis Recon feels in the water and it was very stable even before adding the backplate. It is well made and very durable and I have had onlt one problem in about 300 dives with it. The one problem was a dump valve that stuck open but it was not life threatening as it was low on the bag and you could still trap air in the bladder. There was also a recall and the replacement took 5 minutes at no cost and has not been an issue since.
Both appear to use the same bungee system. And despite the negatives about bungees, it uses only two and they are fairly anemic but are effective in keeping the wing tucked in. They are also mounted under the wing and are unlikely to snag anything. They are also very easy to remove with no permanant damage required. Unlike most large wings it works well and remains stable with both doubles and singles.
Personally, If I were in the market again I would go with the Recon for the extra lift, but if you don't need the lift, the Sherwood Outback makes sense.
Actually, if I were in the market again I would probably just buy a backplate or a backplate and harness system and a wing and save a bunch of money. (I do prefer the comfort of a pair of more ergonomically designed shoulder straps and I'd most likely go with the OMS backplate and harness - I'm not sure on the wing though.)
A lot of what is right for you depends on what you want, how you dive and where you think your diving will take you.
The Recon and the Outback are both crossover BC's. The Recon with a SS backplate works very well for the deep deco (and very occassional wreck) diving I do, however a more specifically tech oriented backplate and wing would offer more flexibility if you get into caves or serious wreck penetration. It also will cut more ice with narrow minded instructors. And if you are looking at tech instruction, it's an issue to be considered.
If you are not thinking about tech diving and tech courses, then don't worry about it and don't get too hung up on the Hogarthian and DIR opinions that are out there. For recreational diving I think it would be a great BC and I would have no reservations on buying either an Outback or Recon.
Doubles capability may be a good thing to consider then.
My Recon does accomodate stage bottles very well and very comfortably and I think the Outback would do equally well. It has more rings than is considered DIR and you won't use half of them, but the unused ones are easy to remove with a pair of bolt cutters if you get worried about extra clutter.
Genesis also makes a redundant bladder/inflator system for the Recon for another $275, but it really is not needed.
The Outback also seems to have the same capacity to accomodate a mini retractor in the right shoulder strap and DIR or not, I really like it. I can clip it to my backup light/day light (a $25.00 3 C cell UK 300) and then hold the head of the light to the lower part of the strap with a loop of surgical tubing. The light is very accessible and easy to use and then restow. It is at risk of being lost if the retractor cable breaks but this is no greater and probably less than the risk over time of clipping and unclipping the light from a D-ring when using it.
I do not like the pro-kit and feel you can get everything in the kit somewhere else individually for less money and with better quality.
I do not like the retractor-under-the-center-pocket idea at all and feel it is better to clip a console or SPG to a D-ring or to a retractor attached to the left shoulder strap D-ring.
My Recon does accomodate stage bottles very well and very comfortably and I think the Outback would do equally well. It has more rings than is considered DIR and you won't use half of them, but the unused ones are easy to remove with a pair of bolt cutters if you get worried about extra clutter.
Genesis also makes a redundant bladder/inflator system for the Recon for another $275, but it really is not needed.
The Outback also seems to have the same capacity to accomodate a mini retractor in the right shoulder strap and DIR or not, I really like it. I can clip it to my backup light/day light (a $25.00 3 C cell UK 300) and then hold the head of the light to the lower part of the strap with a loop of surgical tubing. The light is very accessible and easy to use and then restow. It is at risk of being lost if the retractor cable breaks but this is no greater and probably less than the risk over time of clipping and unclipping the light from a D-ring when using it.
I do not like the pro-kit and feel you can get everything in the kit somewhere else individually for less money and with better quality.
I do not like the retractor-under-the-center-pocket idea at all and feel it is better to clip a console or SPG to a D-ring or to a retractor attached to the left shoulder strap D-ring.
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