Thoughts or Comments on the Magellan Mares HD

[ABLAB]

Looking into the Mares Magellan HD (vs the regular Mares Magellan) and wandering if anyone has any thoughts on this bc. It caught my eye because it seems pretty versatile as it has the lift (40lbs) and weight capacity (28 lbs combining the integrated and trim - I'm 170lbs and dive with 6 pounds in warm water) to work as a cold water bc and just light enough for travel. I travel to dive and have only dove warm water but would like to try some wreck diving off NY. Not dry suit but 7mm. I'm 35 dives in and just swapped out my 1st bc because it didn't fit well. Looking at back inflates maxing out at $500-600 range. Not quite sure if I'm ready to make the jump to BP/W especially since I will not be getting into technical diving. Thanks all.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

Most of my gear is Mares but all of their BCD's including the Magellan's are big bulky BCD's. 40 lb's of lift is way to much for single tank diving, 30 lbs or less is all you need. I only use a 30 lb wing with my drysuit and 108 LP steel tanks.
I would look at these options.
Dive Rite Hydro Lite BCD. It has 30 lbs of lift and can carry 12 lbs of weight. The only thing I would do is change out the bottom velcro tank strap for a proper cam strap. Hydro Lite BCD - Dive Rite

Dive Rite TransPac Harness, then you can get what ever wing you want for it. I'm not a fan of the Dive Rite wings because they require a Single Tank Adaptor. It might be a little over your budget too.

TransPac Harness - Dive Rite | Equipment for Serious Divers

The TransPac is Dive Rite’s flagship harness, originally designed by CEO Lamar Hires for his early expeditions to the remote karst regions of Japan. He needed a rugged harness system that would allow him to utilize backmounted doubles and a single tank, as well as sidemount in some of the...

www.diverite.com

BP/W are not just for technical divers, a lot of rereational divers use them. I have a Sub Gravity 3mm aluminum BP, 26 lb wing (their wings don't require a STA), drop down small weight pockets and adjustable harness for my travel BC. I love the their adjustable harness. Since you going to use the BCD for cold water diving also, I would get the 3mm stainless BP and 30 lb wing. Paragon Single Tank Package - SubGravity

 

[ABLAB]

Most of my gear is Mares but all of their BCD's including the Magellan's are big bulky BCD's. 40 lb's of lift is way to much for single tank diving, 30 lbs or less is all you need. I only use a 30 lb wing with my drysuit and 108 LP steel tanks.
I would look at these options.
Dive Rite Hydro Lite BCD. It has 30 lbs of lift and can carry 12 lbs of weight. The only thing I would do is change out the bottom velcro tank strap for a proper cam strap. Hydro Lite BCD - Dive Rite

Dive Rite TransPac Harness, then you can get what ever wing you want for it. I'm not a fan of the Dive Rite wings because they require a Single Tank Adaptor. It might be a little over your budget too.

TransPac Harness - Dive Rite | Equipment for Serious Divers

The TransPac is Dive Rite’s flagship harness, originally designed by CEO Lamar Hires for his early expeditions to the remote karst regions of Japan. He needed a rugged harness system that would allow him to utilize backmounted doubles and a single tank, as well as sidemount in some of the...

www.diverite.com

BP/W are not just for technical divers, a lot of rereational divers use them. I have a Sub Gravity 3mm aluminum BP, 26 lb wing (their wings don't require a STA), drop down small weight pockets and adjustable harness for my travel BC. I love the their adjustable harness. Since you going to use the BCD for cold water diving also, I would get the 3mm stainless BP and 30 lb wing. Paragon Single Tank Package - SubGravity

Thanks for the informative response. As for backplates, I've actually narrowed it down to the HOG 32lb wing with aluminum backplate or the DGX 30 lb wing and aluminum backplate. Neither requires an STA and the large weigh pockets plus the trim give me plenty of weight to dive cold water. I'm told the DiveRite Hydro Lite will probably not have enough weight capacity for cold water and would require a weight belt and does get a little pricey once you add everything. My local dive shops who carry DiveRite recommended I go with the Zeagle Stilleto. Above, my price range but has everything I m looking for and is a workhorse that will likely last many years, travel friendly, and wont require part modifications for different types of environment. The only hesitation I have with the Zeagle is the horeshoe wing and the issues with air pockets and releasing air not being as easy and intuitive as with a donut.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

Thanks for the informative response. As for backplates, I've actually narrowed it down to the HOG 32lb wing with aluminum backplate or the DGX 30 lb wing and aluminum backplate.

Either is a good choice. I was considering the DGX but chose the Sub Gravity because I could buy it up here in Canada and I really liked their adjustable harness. The HOG 32lb wing has external bungee's that could be an entanglement hazard. The beauty of BP/W systems is you can mix & match different components. A BP/W will be a lot more versitle and rugged than the Zeagle. Almost all manufacturers make dounut wings because they are better in the water than horseshoe wings.

 

[ABLAB]

I certainly seems that donuts are preferred and really curious why Zeagle keeps making horseshoes. Yeah, read that about bungees. Got some decisions to make. Upgrading fins and computer as well so have some work to do.