Trying to decide between 3 different BCDs

[pdwh]

How so? What do you base this opinion on? Have you used it at all? How many dives and how long have you had it?

I had about 15 dives in them. Did my original open water in it and it was the primary rental available till I bought my own gear.

It has nothing, feature-wise, that a backplate and wing doesn't have except the droppable weight pockets. There's no real weight to it - I dive with a steel backplate which tremendously helps my trim and with no wetsuit, I don't need any weight other than the backplate.

Because it's set up for general sizing, the various straps leave stuff dangling all over the place. It just felt really cluttered. The weight pockets were a nightmare to insert once the BC was on. That was the hardest part of open water class - just getting those locked in. The instructors even had a trick for it - fully inflate BC, roll to your side, and drop it in. It works but what a nightmare to have to deal with.

The monoprene that is in it I found very uncomfortable on both the shoulders and back.

All of that and it's about the most expensive BC on the market.

It has a couple of nice features - compacts tightly for travel, and I like the cam bands on them. But they're absolutely not worth the 1200-1300 or so those things run.

The original poster's two other alternatives are both under $1000 (the Deep 6 closer to 800). Just my opinion but I think those are both much better values. You may fell differently and that's fine. I've got friends who dive the Hydros and love it. I'm just not one of those. It's nothing against ScubaPro - I like most of ScubaPro's other products - in fact, my favorites regs are D series (D350/D400) with an MK20.

 

[BoltSnap]

I had about 15 dives in them. Did my original open water in it and it was the primary rental available till I bought my own gear.

It has nothing, feature-wise, that a backplate and wing doesn't have except the droppable weight pockets. There's no real weight to it - I dive with a steel backplate which tremendously helps my trim and with no wetsuit, I don't need any weight other than the backplate.

Because it's set up for general sizing, the various straps leave stuff dangling all over the place. It just felt really cluttered. The weight pockets were a nightmare to insert once the BC was on. That was the hardest part of open water class - just getting those locked in. The instructors even had a trick for it - fully inflate BC, roll to your side, and drop it in. It works but what a nightmare to have to deal with.

The monoprene that is in it I found very uncomfortable on both the shoulders and back.

All of that and it's about the most expensive BC on the market.

It has a couple of nice features - compacts tightly for travel, and I like the cam bands on them. But they're absolutely not worth the 1200-1300 or so those things run.

The original poster's two other alternatives are both under $1000 (the Deep 6 closer to 800). Just my opinion but I think those are both much better values. You may fell differently and that's fine. I've got friends who dive the Hydros and love it. I'm just not one of those. It's nothing against ScubaPro - I like most of ScubaPro's other products - in fact, my favorites regs are D series (D350/D400) with an MK20.

My experience is totally the opposite of yours. I have had mine for 2 - 3 years now (I don't remember exactly), and it is one of the best BC's I have used or tried. I own many BC's and I get to try the latest and the greatest in BC the Hydros is the best in modern BC's for me. I don't use my single tank BW/P bc except in some special cases. I don't have any issue with the Hydros at all except the d'ring on the shoulder straps, a little small. I have replaced this during, and it is all good after that. I learned recently that one can change the entire harness if they need to go to a bigger or smaller size, if they lose a lot of weight and the BC becomes too small or too big for them (drastic weight loss or gain, as the BC is very adjustable). The backpack sticks to your back like glue, so it doesn't ride up. Once you adjust it properly, it stays there. I added a crotch strap to it, not because it needed it for anything, but because I started to use a DPV and I needed the crotch strap for DPV attachment. I didn't like the utility pocket that comes from SP, so I just put a pocket from Hollis, and it worked great with the Hydros. I have no complaints about it at all. ALL of my friends, former students, and people I know who use it, love it, and some rave about it. It works well when using a pony bottle, no issues. I have used it with an 80cf and 40cf pony, no problem.

It is the most popular Scubapro BC, VERY popular. What I know, not full information, is that SP had to buy the factory that made this BC in SA recently, just because it became necessary for them to own the factory, because the BC is that popular (I think that the same factory makes fins for SP and maybe other products). Most definitely no BP/W BC's for me for recreational single tank diving.


(I still want to try the Atomic BC2, however. I may get to try one later in the Fall this year, I hope.)

 

[pdwh]

My experience is totally the opposite of yours. I have had mine for 2 - 3 years now (I don't remember exactly), and it is one of the best BC's I have used or tried. I own many BC's and I get to try the latest and the greatest in BC the Hydros is the best in modern BC's for me. I don't use my single tank BW/P bc except in some special cases. I don't have any issue with the Hydros at all except the d'ring on the shoulder straps, a little small. I have replaced this during, and it is all good after that. I learned recently that one can change the entire harness if they need to go to a bigger or smaller size, if they lose a lot of weight and the BC becomes too small or too big for them (drastic weight loss or gain, as the BC is very adjustable). The backpack sticks to your back like glue, so it doesn't ride up. Once you adjust it properly, it stays there. I added a crotch strap to it, not because it needed it for anything, but because I started to use a DPV and I needed the crotch strap for DPV attachment. I didn't like the utility pocket that comes from SP, so I just put a pocket from Hollis, and it worked great with the Hydros. I have no complaints about it at all. ALL of my friends, former students, and people I know who use it, love it, and some rave about it. It works well when using a pony bottle, no issues. I have used it with an 80cf and 40cf pony, no problem.

It is the most popular Scubapro BC, VERY popular. What I know, not full information, is that SP had to buy the factory that made this BC in SA recently, just because it became necessary for them to own the factory, because the BC is that popular (I think that the same factory makes fins for SP and maybe other products). Most definitely no BP/W BC's for me for recreational single tank diving.


(I still want to try the Atomic BC2, however. I may get to try one later in the Fall this year, I hope.)

yeah, that sticking to the back like glue - hate that - it was tough to adjust and hurt.

 

[NorCalDM]

yeah, that sticking to the back like glue - hate that - it was tough to adjust and hurt.

That's funny as most see it as a plus. Stability is an argument for going to a backplate as many BCD's slide around and to me that's a major pain.

 

[pdwh]

That's funny as most see it as a plus. Stability is argument for going to a backplate as many BCD's slide around and to me that's a major pain.

yeah, and I get a LOT more stability with my BPW. I did, however, because of my height and size, get a ScubaForce Black Devil Long backplate - a lot longer and puts the waist at the correct spot instead of too high on me - which has been a problem with many BCDs and standard backplates. It's so much more comfortable and stable in the water.

 

[DrakeTheDiver]

Lots of good info above. I have not dove a hydros BCD, however I would recommend you try a BPW. I have found them to be very stable, comfortable, adjustable, and generally a better option for my diving (Drysuit, Cold, Steel Tanks, Occasional Back Mount or Side Mount pony use). Also the BPW are generally more durable and easier to service as the user if/when you break something. I have not used DGX BPW but everything else I have from them has been great quality and fairly affordable, I would have no issue recommending them and they have a great reputation. I also have Deep6 regs and they are phenomenal, again I would consider their rig if I was in the market for a new BPW. If you are looking to spend the money and try BPW you could look at the halcyon system, the cinch system makes it very easy to adjust and fit the BPW, as well as getting in and out. Also a BPW with small shoulder pads tends to be fairly comfortable to me, even in just a rash guard on vacation.

 

[vspeeds]

If you are considering a BPW, and you like the Hydros, the Scubapro S-tek pro BPW might be a good choice. I switched to it from a jacket BCD, and it took a bit to get used to. I bought lots of stuff, like cool Hydros pockets (returned them), and other gadgetry attachments in the ecosystem. Like things that attached to the pockets. Ultimately, I love the adjustments, the webbing pads, the quality of the backplate shape and padding, and it's Scubapro. For weight pockets I ended up with little ones (dive rite) as the stainless backplate weighs in at 6 pounds. It's a very versatile system and adjustable (not Hogarthian).

 

[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.

Correction: My wife is not wide.

 

[BoltSnap]

Correction: My wife is not wide.

That was close. We know that you mean well and that you are a very nice guy

 

[scubadiver888]

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 was diving this past weekend with someone using the Scubapro Hydros BCD. It was really nice and she enjoyed it. Back inflate. Ditch-able weights. She has been using it for a while and really happy with it. She has been diving all over the world with it. So it is fairly light and travels well. We were diving in Canada on a wreck in 4C water. Fit well on her drysuit.

I haven't seen or tried the XDeep NX Zen but it looks like a typical BP/W. Looking at the website, the Deluxe model doesn't have a one-piece webbing. So I'd prefer the Standard model. Unlike the Scubapro, it can support doubles.

The Deep 6 looks okay as well. What options you choose might make a lot of differences.

I have a Halcyon Pioneer with an extra heavy back plate and a steel single tank adapter (STA) for diving in cold water. Using all steel and steel cylinders means I need a lot less weight on a belt/harness. It also puts a lot of the weight above my lungs. You could configure something similar to this with the Deep 6.

For traveling I have an aluminum back plate and a Hollis wing with a built-in soft STA. Currently they have the ST35 and the ST22 wing. I think when I bought mine they had a 27 pound wing. Essentially, I like it because I have an aluminum plate with cut outs to make it lighter. No need for a metal STA, which makes it lighter plus holds the tank closer to you for a more streamlined position in the water. I put a home-made harness with aluminum buckle and steel d-rings.

Generally speaking, I'd avoid the Scubapro because you can't switch to doubles if you decide you want to do that later.

As for BP/W, whether you want steel or aluminum depends on what your exposure suit will be. I thought long and hard about how I could build one system that worked for both warm water and cold water but in the end I just bought two set ups.

If you want to buy only one setup to start, I'd go with an aluminum BP and a wing around 27 pounds with a GUE/DIR compliant harness. Keep it light for travel and warm water. My steel kit is negatively buoyant if diving with AL80s with zero ditch-able weight and takes up a lot of my luggage weight. Simpler is often better.

As for diving things like shipwrecks, I assume if you aren't going technical then you won't be penetrating the wrecks. Not just your size but switching to diving rule of thirds rather than ending a dive with 500 PSI means you probably need doubles to safely penetrate a wreck or at least using larger steels, like an HP119 for easy to penetrate wrecks.