Vote on your preferred BC -

[kidspot]

Ok - I'm game for this one - lol

1. No crotch strap - true, you might want to be able to stick your nose under the water with the jacket 6" above your head...

2. Safety (you will float head up at the surface) - Just like I do with my wing...

3. Pockets - which become non-existent when the bladder fills up - unlike my wetsuit pockets

4. Simplicity and weight (important for travelling divers) So leave the weight belt at home and use an aluminum plate... that makes it lighter than most jackets I've seen... as for simplicity... what's simpler than some webbing, a plate and a bladder?

5. Stability underwater - not to mention squeeze, but sorry I am much more stable in my bp/w than the jacket I started with.

6. Fit (one size does not fit all) - true - you have to be between 4'6", 98lbs and 6'4" 300lbs to be able to fit in a standard bp harness... I know 12yr olds who wear the same setup I do - too bad the rig will grow with them and they won't get the chance to buy a new jacket every 2years while they are growing...

7. Comfort (try carrying your tank down the beach from your hotel to the wreck at Tulumben wearing BP/wings - sorry don't know that one, but I do have a couple of dive sites with 1/2 mile walks down rocky stream beds to the water...

8. Divers in shorts and flip-flops sipping beers by the beach won't snicker when you walk by .... and I care because that's what "I" want to be like? Not a chance ...

9. No crotch strap that other divers might potentially grab on to for a tow - true - they might not be streamlined enough to keep up...j/k

10. They are cheaper. - depending on which models we are comparing... BP's range from $225-$600... jackets range from $150-$800 ...

Hey Tim, I'm just havin' fun with ya, but those really are my answers/feelings on the subject - I'd say don't take it the wrong way, but let's face it, we're just going to disagree on this one... and I'm definitely a tropical diver...

The one downside I do see to bp/wings (with the single piece harness) is the time involved to set it up when multiple divers are using the same rig. I am going to have to start marking my backup rig for each of my frequent Dive buddies that use it. But once that is done, it will take 2-3 minutes to adjust it between divers...

Aloha, Tim (same name, different views - isn't that the great thing about variety?)

 

[SeanQ]

Since when has beer sipping divers in shorts and flip-flops been so important when making the decision about BC's?

The last people who ever snickered at me were some people on the Odgen Point Breakwater who were watching as I climbed over all the granite slabs. Truth be told I felt bad for them. Who would want to be out on the breakwater in freezing rain instead of being in the water? Poor souls.


Anyhow, I voted for BP/W for reason which have already been stated.

 

[RiverRat]

1. No crotch strap
2. Safety (you will float head up at the surface)
3. Pockets
4. Simplicity and weight (important for travelling divers)
5. Stability underwater
6. Fit (one size does not fit all)
7. Comfort (try carrying your tank down the beach from your hotel to the wreck at Tulumben wearing BP/wings
8. Divers in shorts and flip-flops sipping beers by the beach won't snicker when you walk by
9. No crotch strap that other divers might potentially grab on to for a tow
10. They are cheaper.

For those who like back inflation, I'm sure the modern back inflate BCs (like Zeagle's) are a much better alternative for tropical diving than a BP/W, which is, after all, very old technology.

Tim

Ten reasons I think you're wrong.......

1. I hardly notice my crotch strap. It's designed to fit loose.
2. My BP/W is as safe or safer than a jacket. It floats me vertical and heads up on the surface because I use a crotch strap. That's one of the reasons you use one. I sit there all comfy in my "chair" while all the other bozos flop around like buoys.
3. I don't need any damn pockets.
4. You can't get any simpler that a BP/W once you understand it's design. You want light get an Aluminum plate. I'm able to pack ALL my gear in one carryon bag and one backpack. A jacket uses about ten times the packing space.
5. You can't get any more stable than a back inflate or BP/W underwater.
6. Fit, just loosen or tighten the straps, try that with a jacket.
7. Comfort. C'mon. Toughen up..............
8. BP/Wings look cool. Poodle jackets, snorkels and split fins crack me up....
9. If someone grabs my crotch strap I'll kick their reg out of their mouth....
Just kidding...cavers do this to tow themselves out of a jam
10. Jackets can run twice as much as BP/W setups.

Funny how the "old" technology has come full circle hasn't it????
Funny how divers were diving BEFORE jacket BC's, SPG's and computers.

 

[Damselfish]

Decided to get a BI about 8 months ago to replace my beat up jacket, still not sure if I like it for the type of diving I do - all warm water nowadays. Nice UW, but quite uncomfortable on the surface - it does push me forward and it's too much work to stay upright or lean back into it. (Yes, even with only a little air in there, less air than I want. No, it doesn't float up on me.) Trouble is weight dist - I use 6# max, so if I put any weight in the back trim pockets I've got nothing ditchable. (Rarely are 1# weights available so not too many ways to distribute 6# and remain symetrical!) Next time I'll try 2# on the tank strap and 2# in each ditchable pocket, but I don't know if that will be enough to make a difference.

...and I've got no pockets and I really miss them, still trying to find a good solution.

 

[kidspot]

...and I've got no pockets and I really miss them, still trying to find a good solution.

I really like wetsuit pockets - so I have sewn some on all 3 of my wetsuits - http://www.kidspot.org/personal/scubaboard/fincomparison.html#wetsuit there's the procedure I followed...


Aloha, Tim

 

[meisburger]

Ok - I'm game for this one - lol

1. No crotch strap - true, you might want to be able to stick your nose under the water with the jacket 6" above your head...

2. Safety (you will float head up at the surface) - Just like I do with my wing...

3. Pockets - which become non-existent when the bladder fills up - unlike my wetsuit pockets

4. Simplicity and weight (important for travelling divers) So leave the weight belt at home and use an aluminum plate... that makes it lighter than most jackets I've seen... as for simplicity... what's simpler than some webbing, a plate and a bladder?

5. Stability underwater - not to mention squeeze, but sorry I am much more stable in my bp/w than the jacket I started with.

6. Fit (one size does not fit all) - true - you have to be between 4'6", 98lbs and 6'4" 300lbs to be able to fit in a standard bp harness... I know 12yr olds who wear the same setup I do - too bad the rig will grow with them and they won't get the chance to buy a new jacket every 2years while they are growing...

7. Comfort (try carrying your tank down the beach from your hotel to the wreck at Tulumben wearing BP/wings - sorry don't know that one, but I do have a couple of dive sites with 1/2 mile walks down rocky stream beds to the water...

8. Divers in shorts and flip-flops sipping beers by the beach won't snicker when you walk by .... and I care because that's what "I" want to be like? Not a chance ...

9. No crotch strap that other divers might potentially grab on to for a tow - true - they might not be streamlined enough to keep up...j/k

10. They are cheaper. - depending on which models we are comparing... BP's range from $225-$600... jackets range from $150-$800 ...

Hey Tim, I'm just havin' fun with ya, but those really are my answers/feelings on the subject - I'd say don't take it the wrong way, but let's face it, we're just going to disagree on this one... and I'm definitely a tropical diver...

The one downside I do see to bp/wings (with the single piece harness) is the time involved to set it up when multiple divers are using the same rig. I am going to have to start marking my backup rig for each of my frequent Dive buddies that use it. But once that is done, it will take 2-3 minutes to adjust it between divers...

Aloha, Tim (same name, different views - isn't that the great thing about variety?)

1. Our Jackets don't ride up, 'cause we have the dreaded cummberbund!
2. I could be wrong, but I think that an unconcious diver in a jacket stands a better chance of floating head up on the surface than a diver in a wing, and that it requires less energy for an injured or weak diver tostay face up in a jacket.
3. Pockets in a well-designed BCD don't disappear when we inflate them (and by the way, we don't put much air in them underwater anyway).
4. I do leave the weight belt at home. If I have to buy another plate, won't that increase the cost and complexity of the system?
5. Great, I'm glad it works for you, but I don't need trim weights to stick all over.
6. Yes, thats true. But you can wrap a big enough towel around anyone, but that doen't make it better than a fitted Armani suit does it?
7. Then you know what I mean. That harness set up is a wicked uncomfortable way to carry a load on land. A jacket is set up more like a good backpack, and allows you to shift some of the load to your hips.
8. I wouldn't care either, but some people do. I suspect, some people are influenced in their gear buying by how they think they gear will be viewed by the community.
9. Lose your buddy? Shame... No, I'm just kidding. But it does seem that the rationale for the crotch strap is not that it keeps the balloon from riding up on the surface, but that it provides a place for your buddy to grab while you are towing him through a cave, and I have no immediate plans to dive in a cave.
10. Okay. Maybe thats true, but when I bought mine I couldn't get set up for less than $500, and all that for a bit of webbing, a hunk of steel, and a balloon.

Thanks for responding Tim. I really do belive its a personal decision, and that wings are not the best solution for everyone. Hows the water temp Hawaii side? We usiually have 28-30 C.

Cheers, Tim

 

[meisburger]

Since when has beer sipping divers in shorts and flip-flops been so important when making the decision about BC's?

The last people who ever snickered at me were some people on the Odgen Point Breakwater who were watching as I climbed over all the granite slabs. Truth be told I felt bad for them. Who would want to be out on the breakwater in freezing rain instead of being in the water? Poor souls.


Anyhow, I voted for BP/W for reason which have already been stated.

Its not. But you are a cold water diver, right? My argument is for tropical diving only.

Cheers, Tim

 

[meisburger]

Hi River Rat. I hit most of your points in my response above, but a few extras:
7. Comfort. C'mon. Toughen up..............
I refuse to use something simply because it is more difficult. Iused to do that sort of stuff to demonstrate my masculinity, but now I'm married I no longer have too.

8. BP/Wings look cool. Poodle jackets, snorkels and split fins crack me up....
What do you have against poodles? Cute little fellas...

10. Jackets can run twice as much as BP/W setups.
I guess they could, but I still think you can get a good quality BC much cheaper than a BP.

It's too damn cold....I'm going to go burn a Stab Jacket, Snorkel and Split Fins now to stay warm...

Oh, another cold water diver... Cheers, Tim

 

[meisburger]

Decided to get a BI about 8 months ago to replace my beat up jacket, still not sure if I like it for the type of diving I do - all warm water nowadays. Nice UW, but quite uncomfortable on the surface - it does push me forward and it's too much work to stay upright or lean back into it. (Yes, even with only a little air in there, less air than I want. No, it doesn't float up on me.) Trouble is weight dist - I use 6# max, so if I put any weight in the back trim pockets I've got nothing ditchable. (Rarely are 1# weights available so not too many ways to distribute 6# and remain symetrical!) Next time I'll try 2# on the tank strap and 2# in each ditchable pocket, but I don't know if that will be enough to make a difference.

...and I've got no pockets and I really miss them, still trying to find a good solution.

Nice to hear from someone who has had a similar experience to mine. Perhaps you could just sell that thing on the Board and buy a new jacket?

Best, Tim

 

[kidspot]

Thanks for responding Tim. I really do belive its a personal decision, and that wings are not the best solution for everyone. Hows the water temp Hawaii side? We usiually have 28-30 C.

Cheers, Tim

Been pretty cold lately ... 75-77 brrr (f. that is) in the water - air temp has been in the low 70's, even dropping into the upper 60's at night - and raining now, plus 10-20 ft swells much of the past week so no diving hopefully it clears up by Monday for my class.

Yup - definitely a personal decision, and if you've got all the sides presented it makes you feel a lot better about your final decision in the end, whatever direction you go... thus the benefit of a diverse board like this. Scubaboard is a great market place of ideas and philosphies.

Aloha, Tim