Recently got dinged on too much weight at the airport on my recent trip to Bohol. Upon my returned I have vowed to rectify this problem. Three areas that I think can help is the actual dive bag/luggage i'm using to travel with, fins and BC.
I have been planing to change my BC anyway cause I think it is heavy and I most importantly I feel restricted. I know for anyone to accurately help on my choices I need to give lots of info. First off I have searched Taiwan (its where I work and live at the moment) and none of the dive shops can help due to lack of inventory and language barrier.
Dive Profile:
1. 122 dives in 6 months.
2. 82 from shore the rest from the boat. Distance to walk to the water is upto 150meters and always the entrance into the water is over Lava rock and coral with 1-1.5meter waves.
3. 75 of those dives I had my camera in hand.
4. 11 of those dives were below 30m but never below 36m.
5. 1 wreck penetration....had a really big opening into a really big room.
6. 0 cave
7. 2.5mm wetsuit, no hood, 1mm gloves
8. 6kilos integrated with no camera in hand, 5 kilos with camera in hand.
9. With me at all times: sausage, reel, scissors, folding ti knive, q40 light, slate, mirror
10. No deco needed to date and have been within the recreational limits of my computer for all dives.
Future Profile:
1. If im near the water and it is warm, requiring nothing more then 3mm wetsuit, I will be there every weekend doing 4-8 dives.
2. If I return back home (Minnesota), there is a chance that I might check out some of the fresh water dive locations. Thicker wetsuit needed I know.
3. Always will have my camera in hand. May be upgrading to DSLR soon.
4. I like shore dives and will continue to do so, even it means walking great distances over uneven ground and with water entrancesexits not enjoyable.
5. 3-5 trips per year via airplane as long as im living in South East Asia. Weight is an issue.
6. Cave diving does not interest me. Wreck penetrations do only if the opening is big and the area inside is wide open. In other words no tight spaces.
7. Deep diving. May want to this if there is something really interesting to take a picture.
8. Extended bottem time and deco diving. Yes I want to persue this and take some training so I can.
9. Solo diving for sure!
10. I can say with the confidence that the majority of my dives will be within the recreational limits, with my dive buddy (GF), using single tank.
So my choices for a new BC are Dive Rite TransPac or TransPlate and Zeagle Stiletto. From information that I can find online all are quality products, can at least attach a pony bottle and are light. I only want to focus on getting wing capable of lifting 30lbs. I think this will be enough even with a pony bottle.
The unfortunate this is that I have zero chance on actually going to a LDS trying it on or talking to anybody with knowledge. I only know what is available via internet. Sizing is of a great concern cause I dont want to order it then have to send it back to the USA and exchange a size. Size: 5'-10" tall, 180lbs, 34" waist, 32" pant length. I guess average with a little beer gut. Current BCD is a medium (tusa platina evolution) and have no issues with sizing. Its got to be comfortable for that 10-15 minute walk to and from the water. It should be able able to take a fair amount of abuse and use. It should be lighter then my current setup. Consideration of single tank first priority with pony/dual tank a very distant 2nd. Must be made in the USA.
Certainly open to other suggestions as far as the BP/W set up goes. But there has to be vast amount of info via the internet with excellent phone/email customer service with internet sales. Not really interested in BC other then the Zeagle.
I have been agonizing over this for a long time and cannot make my up my mind on what to purchase. Coments, Suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I will my purchase at the end of this month.
I have been planing to change my BC anyway cause I think it is heavy and I most importantly I feel restricted. I know for anyone to accurately help on my choices I need to give lots of info. First off I have searched Taiwan (its where I work and live at the moment) and none of the dive shops can help due to lack of inventory and language barrier.
Dive Profile:
1. 122 dives in 6 months.
2. 82 from shore the rest from the boat. Distance to walk to the water is upto 150meters and always the entrance into the water is over Lava rock and coral with 1-1.5meter waves.
3. 75 of those dives I had my camera in hand.
4. 11 of those dives were below 30m but never below 36m.
5. 1 wreck penetration....had a really big opening into a really big room.
6. 0 cave
7. 2.5mm wetsuit, no hood, 1mm gloves
8. 6kilos integrated with no camera in hand, 5 kilos with camera in hand.
9. With me at all times: sausage, reel, scissors, folding ti knive, q40 light, slate, mirror
10. No deco needed to date and have been within the recreational limits of my computer for all dives.
Future Profile:
1. If im near the water and it is warm, requiring nothing more then 3mm wetsuit, I will be there every weekend doing 4-8 dives.
2. If I return back home (Minnesota), there is a chance that I might check out some of the fresh water dive locations. Thicker wetsuit needed I know.
3. Always will have my camera in hand. May be upgrading to DSLR soon.
4. I like shore dives and will continue to do so, even it means walking great distances over uneven ground and with water entrancesexits not enjoyable.
5. 3-5 trips per year via airplane as long as im living in South East Asia. Weight is an issue.
6. Cave diving does not interest me. Wreck penetrations do only if the opening is big and the area inside is wide open. In other words no tight spaces.
7. Deep diving. May want to this if there is something really interesting to take a picture.
8. Extended bottem time and deco diving. Yes I want to persue this and take some training so I can.
9. Solo diving for sure!
10. I can say with the confidence that the majority of my dives will be within the recreational limits, with my dive buddy (GF), using single tank.
So my choices for a new BC are Dive Rite TransPac or TransPlate and Zeagle Stiletto. From information that I can find online all are quality products, can at least attach a pony bottle and are light. I only want to focus on getting wing capable of lifting 30lbs. I think this will be enough even with a pony bottle.
The unfortunate this is that I have zero chance on actually going to a LDS trying it on or talking to anybody with knowledge. I only know what is available via internet. Sizing is of a great concern cause I dont want to order it then have to send it back to the USA and exchange a size. Size: 5'-10" tall, 180lbs, 34" waist, 32" pant length. I guess average with a little beer gut. Current BCD is a medium (tusa platina evolution) and have no issues with sizing. Its got to be comfortable for that 10-15 minute walk to and from the water. It should be able able to take a fair amount of abuse and use. It should be lighter then my current setup. Consideration of single tank first priority with pony/dual tank a very distant 2nd. Must be made in the USA.
Certainly open to other suggestions as far as the BP/W set up goes. But there has to be vast amount of info via the internet with excellent phone/email customer service with internet sales. Not really interested in BC other then the Zeagle.
I have been agonizing over this for a long time and cannot make my up my mind on what to purchase. Coments, Suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I will my purchase at the end of this month.
