Tekna Tek Vest 200 BCD

[Rickg]

I have been diving with Tekna regulators since '85 and just recently purchased a Tekna Tek Vest 200 BCD in almost mint condition on eBay. It is quite compact so I think it will become my travel BC. With the BC came what was apparently Tekna's answer to ScubaPro's Air II. I have attached a picture of the BCD and "safe second".

I didn't even know that Tekna had made a BCD and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with one of these.

Rickg

 

[moparmagician]

So Rickg, what do you think of the bc, I just bought one on ebay with a seaquest air source for cheap, basically was just bidding on the air source, but if the bc is good, might just keep it to. Haven't recieved it yet, just anxious I guess. Been looking at some other bc's on ebay also, but the one I like ends before I will recieve the tekna. Thanks

moparmagician

 

[Rickg]

moparmagician,

I actually am quite pleased with the BCD. What it isn't is a "tech" BCD but it is a quite good travel BC. It packs well, is very comfortable with a 3mm wetsuit, well constructed, and the "skeleton-type" back plate provides a very good place to grab the BCD to pull it out of the water and onto a boat or to carry it around.

The only drawback I found is that the large side pockets don't have flaps on them so you need to make sure you have a lanyard attached to anything you put in them if you don't want to chance losing it.

I made one modification to the BCD. I replaced the tank strap with one I had from a SEATEC BCD because I like the positive locking cam on the SEATEC tank straps.

Overall I'm very pleased with the BCD's performance and my purchase. Especially seeing that I got it for $60 plus shipping.

Hope this helps.

Rickg

 

[jumbo]

The BC might be good but I would throw away that yellow second stage, you cant get new parts for it for good reason, it sucks. I would be wary of the AAS, I would also recommend you take it to a LDS and try to find a Tekna technician if there is such a thing. Obviously to make sure everything is kosher before you travel to some location where they have never even seen that style of reg. Best of Luck

 

[ShakaZulu]

I picked up a Seatec SC200 BC, and I love that thing more than my Black Diamond. Perfect trim, small and compact.

 

[Rickg]

Jumbo,

I don't use the yellow Tekna AAS but that is one of the reasons I bought the BCD Had never seen a Tekna AAS before and wanted it just to have it because I've always been a Tekna regulator fan.

I started diving Tekna 2100BX regs in '85 and continue to use them today. I use the Tekna 1st stage (Scubapro clone that is easy to get serviced) and Tekna 2100BXs for my 2nd stage and octopus. You are right that it is getting more and more difficult to find parts for and someone to service the 2nd stages. I have found that as long as you are religous about rinsing the 2nd stages after diving and store them in a dust-free location that they will usually good for at least 3 years between services. I've found them to be as close as you can come to a "service free" regulator.

Rickg

 

[jumbo]

Rick G-
Yea I really did not think it completly throught, I am very bitter at Tekna. When I was 13 some guy sold me a Tekna second stage for $100, big amount back then. But when I took it to a dive store to have it attatched to my 1st stage and tuned up, the owner told me that he could not repair it because of parts, training, etc. That was 10 years ago and Im still bitter, sorry for jumping Tekna. But in hindisght that was a relativly high end reg for its time and the unique style of 2nd stage is very simillar to the Oceanic Zeta regs now. And you can lower the cracking pressure farther than any other reg. But your right, with solid maitainance and the low stress design of the reg it will last for years.

 

[jumbo]

Speaking of bitter story, I think I still have that 2nd stage somewhare, Ill give it to you if you want. If I can find it

 

[Rickg]

jumbo,

I didn't take it as you were jumping on Tekna, I took it as a recommendation to avoid depending on an AAS that you found to be lacking and appreciated your comments.

If you really don't want the 2nd stage I'd be glad to take it off your hands. Even if it isn't functioning I still might be able to salvage some parts out of it.

I'll PM you with my home address and home email address.

Thanks,
Rickg

 

[pcosens]

Speaking of bitter story, I think I still have that 2nd stage somewhare, Ill give it to you if you want. If I can find it

WAY after the fact, but . . .

Do you still have the Tekna 2nd stage?

I'd be interested if you do!

PM Me