Trying to decide between 3 different BCDs

[Deep Diver Scott]

The three different BCDs I'm trying to look into are the Xdeep NX Zen, Single Tank Backplate and Wing Package from Deep 6 gear, and or the Scubapro Hydros BCD

I purchased my first regulator package from Deep 6 gear getting their Signature regulators in Din for both my fiance and I.

Types of dives I envision doing over the next 5 years: I'm looking to dive U352 and do some shipwreck diving of roughly 110-125 feet over the next few years (in moderately warmer seas), but I don't think I'll ever be able to advance to technical diving. I would imagine these kinds of dives would require me to have a decent sized pony bottle based off of my size and SAC rate. That aside most of my dives will be the more so traditional warm water recreational coral reef/wall dives in the Caribbean which won't require that setup. Does anyone have any of these three BCDs and can they provide any feedback on them? I've been able to negotiate with LDS for roughly 10-15% off the scubapro hydros BCD, no such luck on negotiating the other two down price wise. I'm not super concerned with price, I just want to be able to get the best performance/comfortable system out there (hence why I'm not looking at DGX) and any thoughts I'd really appreciate it. Thank you

 

[speleo]

Wide & daughter have Hydros Pros….they love it. I see lots of these on S. Florida dive boats, often by Divermaster/. They are sparse on d ring/mounting places so not probably perfect for anything very technical - but as you seem to know, that’s where a modular backplate/wings is a better fit.

I dive a backplate/wings for single tank, but I made a hybrid. I have dive rite deluxe harness, but a Scubapro steel backplate & single tank adapter w/dive rite wings. I find Scubapro’s single tank band to be the best thing out there; had it many years ago on their old BCD’s. The scubapro wings are nice, but I like the dive rite wings & harness a better fit for me.

I don’t know the Deep6 setup, but I’d try to avoid the single tank adapter that looks like a rectangular rail….these are a little bit sloppy feeling when diving. I think the better use case is for someone who usually dives doubles with a BPW, and rarely might need to use a single tank.

 

[rongoodman]

I've been diving a similar BP/W set-up(Halcyon instead of Deep 6) for going on twenty years. I've never seen any reason to change. I did take an aluminum plate instead of the SS one a couple of years back to the BVI when I knew I was only going to be using a rash guard and shorty.

 

[boulderjohn]

Like Ron Goodman, I do my single tank diving with a BP/W and a single tank adaptor. I own an aluminum plate, a steel plate, single tanks, and double tanks. Having the STA allows me to mix and match easily. I have never experienced anything like the sloppy feeling described earlier. I assume that must be a result of not having the kit tightened down properly.

 

[Subcooled]

Types of dives I envision doing over the next 5 years: I'm looking to dive U352 and do some shipwreck diving of roughly 110-125 feet over the next few years (in moderately warmer seas)

A single HP100 will not be enough if you want to spend any time down there at 120 feet. You would want two (you need to have contingency gas, remember). This means that you will want either a backplate that can be upgraded to carry doubles (and a new wing) or you start diving sidemounted cylinders.

but I don't think I'll ever be able to advance to technical diving.

Remember that technical diving and diving with two cylinders are two different things.

Btw, 120ft is a depth where nitrogen starts to affect your
- perception
- reflexes
- reasoning
- memory
I learned this first hand.
Still doable though, but please plan for various scenarios in advance.

That aside most of my dives will be the more so traditional warm water recreational coral reef/wall dives in the Caribbean which won't require that setup.

Some of us have two setups: the deep one and the comfy one for shallow dives.

 

[halocline]

The OP, a new diver, asked about three specific BCs and gets a nitrogen narcosis/diving with doubles reply….

Anyhow, I would go for the simplest, minimal backplate/ wing set up you can find. Either a steel or aluminum plate, one piece webbing harness, and a small wing. Typically if you match up the wing and plate so that the slots for the cam bands line up, you don’t need a single tank adapter. I believe divegearexpress has a good reasonably priced set up. For warm water, a small wing, no more than 30lbs of lift, is ideal. Don’t make the mistake of getting a bigger wing because someone tells you it can work for single tank and doubles. It won’t.

Less is more with BCs, and what seems comfy in a dive shop wearing street clothes is nothing like what using it in the water, with a wetsuit, will be like.

 

[BoltSnap]

Wide

Please correct this before she sees it.

 

[BoltSnap]

The three different BCDs I'm trying to look into are the Xdeep NX Zen, Single Tank Backplate and Wing Package from Deep 6 gear, and or the Scubapro Hydros BCD

I purchased my first regulator package from Deep 6 gear getting their Signature regulators in Din for both my fiance and I.

Types of dives I envision doing over the next 5 years: I'm looking to dive U352 and do some shipwreck diving of roughly 110-125 feet over the next few years (in moderately warmer seas), but I don't think I'll ever be able to advance to technical diving. I would imagine these kinds of dives would require me to have a decent sized pony bottle based off of my size and SAC rate. That aside most of my dives will be the more so traditional warm water recreational coral reef/wall dives in the Caribbean which won't require that setup. Does anyone have any of these three BCDs and can they provide any feedback on them? I've been able to negotiate with LDS for roughly 10-15% off the scubapro hydros BCD, no such luck on negotiating the other two down price wise. I'm not super concerned with price, I just want to be able to get the best performance/comfortable system out there (hence why I'm not looking at DGX) and any thoughts I'd really appreciate it. Thank you

I have and use the SP Hydros BC for single tank recreational diving without any issues, including having a 40cuft pony. I have BP/W for single tank recreational diving, but I hardly use it now. If I need double tanks for tech. type of diving, then it is a BP/W kit. The Hydros BC is an awesome, customizable, versatile, and durable BC.