Streamlined OW Configuration vs. What?

[boulderjohn]

Observations on the sales of jacket BCDs v. alternatives.

1. About a decade ago, a representative of a major scuba equipment retailer noted in a thread that industry statistics showed that BP/Ws accounted for less than 1% of BCD sales.

2. When the shop for which I originally worked moved to SSI, the then SSI owner (Doug McNeese) conducted a workshop on scuba equipment marketing. He pointed out that manufacturers offer discounts on specific models determined by the number of the specific model sold. His suggested strategy for BCDs was to identify one specific model and make that the focus of sales. Everyone working the retail floor was to point customers in that direction. Every instructor was to own and wear that specific model, telling student they chose it because it was the best. (The same was true for all other equipment.)

3. I changed shops and became the new shop's technical diving instructor. That meant the shop had to offer BP/Ws. The owner was absolutely convinced they wouldn't sell many, so he refused to have any in inventory--not even as a display model. If students wanted them, they could order them. Unfortunately, the chosen supplier (Hollis) would take months to deliver, so all my students ordered from online suppliers instead. The owner said, "See! I told you they wouldn't sell."

 

[Nemrod]

BP/wings Hogarthian rigged are a niche product. Imagine handing a customer a pile of webbing, inner tubes, buckles and D rings and slides and a giant heavy metal chunk and a pair of scissors and a lighter and telling them, here, this is your new BC!!!!!

And worse, there is this ugly bent plate that was intended for double tanks that then requires an STA often and where do the weights go? Where is the padding? Oh, those go on a belt to this other harness thing. Meanwhile Joe and Jill vaca diver are rolling their eyes when there is this pretty back inflate travel BC with weight integration and they can both color coordinate with matching fins, mask and forgive me, snorkel. And you want me to run a long hose where ?

And if the Hog rigged wing/BP is given adjustable slides and all of that that goes along with multiple sizing and adjustability you wind up with a Scubapro Hydros or similar. Or some of that weird military looking Zeagle stuff. And just out of boot camp.

 

[BoltSnap]

And if the Hog rigged wing/BP is given adjustable slides and all of that that goes along with multiple sizing and adjustability you wind up with a Scubapro Hydros or similar. Or some of that weird military looking Zeagle stuff. And just out of boot camp.

I think people should just cut to the chase and buy the SP HydrosPro or the Hydros X. If money is an issue, the SP Seahawk 2 is awesome too.

 

[Bob DBF]

Although BP/W rigs are more common now amongst DMs here in Florida, many still have poodle jackets with the wackiest variety of bent hoses and keepers. That stuff looks super unprepared for real emergencies.

If the Diver isn't prepared for a real emergency, what difference does it make if the gear isn't ready?

 

[RobPNW]

I’ve been doing the 7’ long hose for a few trips. I do have a 43” with a 70 degree connector for a simple under arm setup but haven’t tried it yet. Maybe on the next trip. I got the 70 degree connector because I thought it would be less likely to bump into the back up necklace reg if I turned my head to the left. Maybe I was overthinking it. Do you use the 1st stage 5th port? I like it for my long hose but someone told me my inflator hose was crimping pretty bad.

 

[Lorenzoid]

BP/wings Hogarthian rigged are a niche product. Imagine handing a customer a pile of webbing, inner tubes, buckles and D rings and slides and a giant heavy metal chunk and a pair of scissors and a lighter and telling them, here, this is your new BC!!!!!

And worse, there is this ugly bent plate that was intended for double tanks that then requires an STA often and where do the weights go? Where is the padding? Oh, those go on a belt to this other harness thing. Meanwhile Joe and Jill vaca diver are rolling their eyes when there is this pretty back inflate travel BC with weight integration and they can both color coordinate with matching fins, mask and forgive me, snorkel. And you want me to run a long hose where ?

Wait till Joe and Jill hear the term “crotch strap.” Definitely not one from the Marketing department.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Right now I’m using a single 40” octo length hose on my primary and there is no backup, I only have one second stage. The hose is going over my arm not under. The reason for all this is because all of my diving currently is urchin diving clearing purple urchins from a certain location. The depth is zero to 25’ and all the work is solo. I have several bags clipped off to my right shoulder D-ring. A hose going under my arm would get hung up on the bags so it goes over my arm. It’s better to have the hose over and above all the clutter. It’s also easier to use it to inflate my lift bag.
It’s a certain configuration for a certain type of job.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

BP/wings Hogarthian rigged are a niche product. Imagine handing a customer a pile of webbing, inner tubes, buckles and D rings and slides and a giant heavy metal chunk and a pair of scissors and a lighter and telling them, here, this is your new BC!!!!!

And worse, there is this ugly bent plate that was intended for double tanks that then requires an STA often and where do the weights go? Where is the padding? Oh, those go on a belt to this other harness thing. Meanwhile Joe and Jill vaca diver are rolling their eyes when there is this pretty back inflate travel BC with weight integration and they can both color coordinate with matching fins, mask and forgive me, snorkel. And you want me to run a long hose where ?

And if the Hog rigged wing/BP is given adjustable slides and all of that that goes along with multiple sizing and adjustability you wind up with a Scubapro Hydros or similar. Or some of that weird military looking Zeagle stuff. And just out of boot camp.

I’ll bet 99% of poodle jacket sales are determined on how comfy and warm they feel trying them on in the BC section of the dive shop

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Wait till Joe and Jill hear the term “crotch strap.” Definitely not one from the Marketing department.

It would either be a big turn off, or maybe a huge turn on?

 

[inquis]

It’s a certain configuration for a certain type of job

Why not the DIR standard 22" shorthose? Seems even less in the way, given your specific scenario.