Weighing My Options

[jwelch_81]

I have been looking around the web looking at BC's. My first choice so far is the Mares Dragon but as I read the forums most people prefer back inflated or more tech stuff. So I started looking into a few of the back inflated BC's. First I would like to ask because I didn't see this on any other forum. I am mostly interested in rec diving reefs. No caves. and the occasional wreck and penetration if I get the chance with the right person after training if around 80 feet or under(given there are probably not many of these) What makes the Mares dragon a bad Idea for this?

Also I would like to know if anyone has used a Oceanic Excursion or Mares Icon and what do you think of it?

Thanks for your time and input.

 

[ronbeau]

I have been looking around the web looking at BCs. My first choice so far is the Mares Dragon but as I read the forums most people prefer back inflated or more tech stuff. So I started looking into a few of the back inflated BCs. First I would like to ask because I didn't see this on any other forum. I am mostly interested in rec diving reefs. No caves. and the occasional wreck and penetration if I get the chance with the right person after training if around 80 feet or under(given there are probably not many of these) What makes the Mares dragon a bad Idea for this?

Also I would like to know if anyone has used a Oceanic Excursion or Mares Icon and what do you think of it?

Thanks for your time and input.

The two most important things about a BC are:

1. It fits well
2. You are comfortable wearing it and with the features of the BC

My diving is similar to the diving you are planning to do with the possible exception of wreck penetration.

My personal preference is a back inflate or hybrid BC. I like the fact that the front and sides are free of clutter. I find this more comfortable. What I find comfortable you might not so you have to try them on.

I would try on several different types and brands of BC so that you will know that you finally purchase is the one that fits you best and that you are most comfortable with.

You also might want to look at the orientation of the weight pockets. The weight pockets on my BC are vertical. I would prefer them to be horizontal like my wife's and daughter's LadyHawk BCs.

I must not have been the only one that thought so since Aeris made that change between the ATMOS XT model I own and the ATMOS LX model that replaced it.

The ATMOS XT and ATMOS LX are hybrid BCs. This simply means that they are mostly a back inflate BC but have a slight bit of side inflation to help keep the diver vertical on the surface.

An example of a fully back inflate BC would be the ScubaPro KnightHawk and LadyHawk BCs.

A rear dump valve is also a very helpful feature. It allows you to dump air even if you are in a horizontal position.

Another feature to look for is metal "D" rings. Look for both the quantity and placement of these metal "D" rings. I would avoid plastic "D" rings like the plague.

Many BCs have a right shoulder dump but some do not.

A feature that I find extremely helpful is a tank shoulder strap (not the one that holds the tank to the BC). This is a small strap that you can adjust to the correct size once you have the tank positioned within the BC exactly where you want it.

You set this strap once. After it is set you simply drop the BC over tank and you get it in the right position every time. You simply slide the BC down over the tank until the strap is tight on the shoulder of the tank. Not all BCs have this feature.

The final feature that is very helpful is to have a built in handle on the plastic back portion of the BC (part that the tank sits against). This handle makes it easy to pick up the BC with the tank attached to check to make sure you tank is not slipping before you don the BC.

I am just a diver like you . I do not work in the dive industry so I don't have any vested interest in one brand over another.

 

[TSandM]

Are you going to dive locally? If so, the big advantage of a backplate is that it moves weight up onto your back, which means less weight on a belt or in pockets, and also makes it easier to stay horizontal in the water.

I wholeheartedly agree with Ronbeau. The most important thing about a BC is that it fits you well, and that you are comfortable using it. I do not know the Mares Dragon, but there may be nothing wrong with it at all.

The things I've seen in BCs that are worth watching out for: If you buy something with weight integration, make sure the system that retains the weights is both easy to jettison AND difficult to lose unintentionally. Velcro retention systems will age and become insecure in a fairly short time. Systems like the DUI Weight & Trim are fairly secure, but a bit of PITA to rethread if the weights are pulled.

I like something with two cambands. Not only does that hold the tank straighter on your back, you have a bit of insurance if you happen not to tighten one camband adequately.

Many BCs have pockets, but it's often true that they are either too small to hold much of anything, or too difficult to access when in the water to be useful.

Look at the placement of the dump valves. Remember that you have to get the air to them to dump it. If the valve is in a place where you are going to have to assume an unusual attitude to get the air there, it's not going to be very useful.

I don't like pull dumps. Repeatedly pulling on my inflator hose just seems like a bad idea to me. They're all made of plastic, and plastic fatigues and eventually cracks and fails. I don't want to pull the inflator hose off my BC (and this happens!) Of course, you don't HAVE to use them, but why pay for something you don't want?

Finally, realize that what feels pretty comfortable in the shop may turn out to be sloppy and annoying underwater. Putting a tank on the BC changes the way it hangs on you, and even more, we don't (or try not to ) dive in a standing position. Going horizontal with the tank on top makes for different dynamics. For this reason, don't buy a BC where, to fit it in the shop, you are at the far end of the adjustment available anywhere, because you may find that, underwater, you need something tighter or looser than you do on land.

 

[jwelch_81]

Thanks for your help.

I need to make a trip to the LDS and see what they have they are about an hour away and I was just trying to get an idea of what I really wanted to look at before going over there and asking to try on everything in their store or asking them to order something they might not have one the shelf.

Thanks for the advice on picking out a BC because I got certified about 10 years ago when I was just a kid. I loved it but my parents wasn't into it I worked all summer and paid for everything myself. I have only dove with rentals and my friends zeagle ranger. The ranger was alot better than the rentals but didn't really like the small straps and stuff on the front and the pockets and weight integration was bad. He even used a weight belt with it.

I would like to get some more dive time in. I need to take a refresher. From my limited experience I found out one thing the BC is probably the most personal piece of equipment you can own. I used several regs and never really knew the difference may be with more exp. I would be able to tell. I don't want a BC i feel like I'm fighting with and if I'm going to spend that much money I want to make a good choice.

If anyone has any personal exp with the bc's i listed above I would still like to hear about them. thanks.

 

[The Mighty Thor]

I own both a Mares Dragon and a Zeagle Brigade, and I can tell you that they are both very comfortable, well made BCs, each having certain advantages and disadvantages.

The Mares is a jacket style, however the aircell has two flaps that wrap around the tank, making it more like a back inflate or "hybrid", however it is still a jacket style BC. You do get some squeeze, but not as much as some other jacket styles. The aircell keeps the tank very secure when inflated. The BC is very well padded (neutrally bouyant padding according to Mares) and is extremely comfortable. The lumbar padding is great. It has two very small rear trim pockets built, which are not ditchable. It has rear dumps and two shoulder dumps. The pockets are small and the weight pockets are aslo very small. The integrated weight pockets slide in horizontally and clip in. They are very secure, however they are a little "sticky" when trying to jetison the weight. It is also extrememly difficult to put the weight pockets in once the BC is on, and even harder to add weight once the pockets are in, should you need to add weight once you are in the water. The weight pockets also increase the amount of squeeze experienced if you have more than 10 pounds or so. The BC is also very heavy to carry or travel with.

The Zeagle Brigade is a back inflate and is extremely comfortable. I thought I would notice the lack of padding or lumbar support, from the Dragon, but I didn't. Lots of D rings, the pockets have ample room, and the weight pockets have a zipper on the top (like a regular pocket) which makes it easy to add weight with the BC on or off. The ripcord system is great. One hand, no fuss, no muss. No velcro or clips to worry about failing. The weight pockets are also a little lower on the hips than other BC's, so you never really feel the weight like other BC or weight belts. As far as keeping upright on the surface, I did not notice any problems. There was a slight push forward if I didn't lean back and had the BC fully inflated, but only slight. With the normal air I put in on the surface, I would never have noticed it, if it hadn't been mentioned to me. I found it very stable on the surface. I also had rear trim pockets, which may have helped (ditchable). all in all a great BC. The only negative thing I can say is that the BC does not have two shoulder dumps like the Dragon (only the one connected to the top of the inflator hose), and I found the pull strings on the Dragon to be a little easier to grab. I find it difficult to grab the rear dumps on the Zeagle, but that may just be because I am more familiar with using the Dragon and the locations of the dumps. The Brigade is much lighter than the Mares, and packs down smaller.


I don't think you can go wrong with either BC, however, the Zeagle is modular, where the MAres is not. If I need to add a bigger bladder to the Zeagle, I can. If I get fatter, I can buy a new harness. You can't do this with the Mares.

 

[CJM]

I chose the Aeris Atmos LX simply because of it's hybrid capability and I actually do like the jacket/vest style and the way it feels on me.