Should a BP/W be my first BC?

[RiverRat]

The reason so many divers have reservations about trying them is that the Industry and Dive Shop clones have convinced the world that they are "tech gear" and can only be used for tech diving. It's simply not true, but many folks refuse to accept it. Not to mention the "Industry" just wants to sell jacket BC's period.

 

[froginmgl]

If you read scubadiving.com reviews on BP/W you will see that they had the same misconceptions until they were tested. .http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/buoyancy_compensators/backplate_buoyancy_systems Take a look at this it may help. It did me I am a current jacket BC owner and asking the same questions that you are. I don't know about anybody else but the least amount of mistakes the 1st time around the better this board definetly helps me. thanks to all for good info. It helps with the to much info confusion that makes you...

 

[scubamikey]

A huge thanks to everyone for all your input. Please keep adding comments, you've also got me thinking about other gear I might need.

I still want to take a closer look at the Zeagles, but the bp/w is looking good. My OW dives were in freshwater with a SeaQuest Pro QD+, Alum-80, 7mm wetsuit and 24-26 lbs weight. I'd really like to reduce the weight and bulk up front, so I like the SS bp. Could I also use the SS plate in Florida with a 3mm suit without bouyancy problems, or would I need a lighter plate?

I didn't train with a weight belt, but I'm also thinking about using one and maybe some weight pockets also to distribute the weight. I'll make sure to wear it outside the crotch strap at least while I'm learning.

I was considering a steel tank, I did some reading here and now I think that's a good plan for me also.

What about a "Pro" style harness or simple "Hog"? On the Pro, is the chest strap helpful and the pivoting buckles?

 

[daniel f aleman]

What about a "Pro" style harness or simple "Hog"? On the Pro, is the chest strap helpful and the pivoting buckles?

The Pro harness with the quick-release buckles is an advantage over the Hog harness because you can get out of your rig without the necessity of cutting yourself out, if you're trapped/entangled in someway - required with the Hog. You can't really put a cut harness back together underwater. The Hog is still used by a majority of cavers - you gonna' cave? If not, buy the Pro...

 

[scubadobadoo]

It doesn't matter as long as you are happy with the set up.

We have a winner!

 

[oscar_2424]

Do some diving first, enjoy the sport. Dont worry about gear right now, you will learn later that what is good for other may not be good for you

 

[scubamikey]

Do some diving first, enjoy the sport. Dont worry about gear right now, you will learn later that what is good for other may not be good for you

Well, in order to do that I'll need some gear. My brother lives in San Diego and can rent a complete set of gear with wetsuit and air fill for $30. It's probably reasonable in Florida also. My LDS here in NY has a weekly rental rate of $250 for a set of gear, and it works out to $160 if I just want to go diving for one day.

That's why I'm looking into buying my own gear.

I can do beach entry dives into a calm lake 4 miles away, so getting used to my new gear should be enjoyable.

 

[scubamikey]

The Pro harness with the quick-release buckles is an advantage over the Hog harness because you can get out of your rig without the necessity of cutting yourself out, if you're trapped/entangled in someway - required with the Hog. You can't really put a cut harness back together underwater. The Hog is still used by a majority of cavers - you gonna' cave? If not, buy the Pro...

Thanks, I forgot to mention that I'll probably be a recreational diver and pursue photography, but cave diving doesn't appeal to me at this point, and I can hold off on wreck penetration for some time also. Same with deep diving. No reason to rush things. I am interested in the stress/rescue, UW navigation and search & recovery (my girlfriend already wants an UW metal detector). But mostly this is all just for fun.

I'll likely get the Pro.

 

[RiverRat]

No reason to rush things. I am interested in the stress/rescue, UW navigation and search & recovery (my girlfriend already wants an UW metal detector). But mostly this is all just for fun. I'll likely get the Pro.

Perfect attitude! Ease into it, gain valuable experience and have fun! I agree Rescue and Navigation would be key to get into now.

One thing, if you do get a BP/W, research your diving, or what diving you may be doing in the near future, before you buy one. I bought a 9# SS plate first. Worked great in cold water with a 7mm, and later on with my Drysuit. It also worked fine in warm water with an AL80 and 3mm wetsuit. Only needed 3# on my belt. But then I bought steel tanks, dropping about 6# of lead. When I went to North Carolina wreck diving in my 3mm with the steel tanks, the 9# plate put me 3# over. Luckily I bought an Aluminum plate just for this trip and with the steel tank only needed 4# on my belt. So I ended up having to buy another plate. But I sometimes take the AL plate when weight limits are an issue on small planes. So I don't mind. I weighed 240 at the time.
So do some math before committing to a plate, maybe a 6# (the most popular) would be best, or AL if you plan to travel much. My 2 cents.

 

[cummings66]

I'd say the 5 lbs dss plate is in the ball park, certainly a lighter plate of 5 to 6 lbs is more versatile because you can always add weight plates to the DSS or a weighted STA to others and that allows you to dive cold and warm water without needing a new bp.

If you find yourself needing pockets you can add them to yourself or the belt webbing area on the bp as well. For what it's worth, I had the Pro Harness and did not like it at all. I now dive the hog harness and love it's fit and utility.