What about those of us who can't try before we buy?

[Skinsfan1311]

I'm still researching a BC for me. I'm going to buy my equipment, before my next dives this summer. (I'm not tellin' anyone which style of BC that I'm leaning towards, as I don't want to re-hash the "jacket or BP/W" debate.)

Thus far, with the exception of some quarry dives to certify, 100% of my diving has been, and probably will be, rec diving in the tropics. 20-35 dives per year. I'll probably get nitrous certified. I do the occasional wreck and night dive, and, given the amount of diving that I'll be doing, that's good enough for me. No caves, no dry-suit, no diving doubles, or anything like that. I'm competent in the water, though there's always room for improvement. I have fun, just swimming along, gazing at the reef, or wall, and practicing my skills. Enough of the background, (which was provided to give you an insight on the type of diver that I am) I'd venture to say, that the above description is an apt one for many divers.

One piece of advice, that seems to rear it's head in many posts, regarding BC's, is "Try as many as you can, before you buy". If you live in Florida, Mexico, the Carbbean, etc. that's pretty sage advice, BUT if you live in the Baltimore area, that isn't a real viable option. I don't have that luxury. With the exception of same-day dives, I've never dived the same BC or regs twice. (The decision to buy my own gear is an easy one, given that I had a hose blow in Cayman.)

So...with that being said...any tips on purchasing gear, for divers like me, who don't have the luxury of "try before you buy" ? Thanks everyone!

 

[spectrum]

I hear you. Being in Maine we don't have a dive shop on every corner. I do have 2 dive shops with pools in a comfortable raduis and we did try some gear in each of those. My wife found her's that way.

For me the LDS pool dives coupled with my confined water dives gave me a sense of what I wanted. I went down to the LDS (no pool there) in a sweatshirt (to get a sense of a wetsuits bulk) and tried a Sherwood Avid who's features I already liked and went for it. No regrets, works for me from trunks to drysuit.

So I have to believe there are a few dive shop pools in reasonable driving diatance that will let you try gear. Do your research first to target things you'd actually want to buy and go for it. If you find what you want, give them the sale, they earned it.

Tal with your certifying shop. They may have someone on staff that will let you dive something. How about what you used in the quarry? Did you like that? It's a puzzle but you can make sense of it.

Pete

 

[TheRedHead]

I also have to suffice with a limited selection of local pickings. And I was talked into initially buying a Sherwood Luna which didn't fit and which I came to loathe. An expensive error. Scubatoys.com will send you multiple things to try on before you buy. That might be an option for you.

I dive the Caribbean in a backplate + wing and I am very happy with it. There is really no fit issue as it is infinitely adjustable for all body types.

 

[Mark Vlahos]

I'm still researching a BC for me. I'm going to buy my equipment, before my next dives this summer. (I'm not tellin' anyone which style of BC that I'm leaning towards, as I don't want to re-hash the "jacket or BP/W" debate.)

Thus far, with the exception of some quarry dives to certify, 100% of my diving has been, and probably will be, rec diving in the tropics. 20-35 dives per year. I'll probably get nitrous certified. I do the occasional wreck and night dive, and, given the amount of diving that I'll be doing, that's good enough for me. No caves, no dry-suit, no diving doubles, or anything like that. I'm competent in the water, though there's always room for improvement. I have fun, just swimming along, gazing at the reef, or wall, and practicing my skills. Enough of the background, (which was provided to give you an insight on the type of diver that I am) I'd venture to say, that the above description is an apt one for many divers.

One piece of advice, that seems to rear it's head in many posts, regarding BC's, is "Try as many as you can, before you buy". If you live in Florida, Mexico, the Carbbean, etc. that's pretty sage advice, BUT if you live in the Baltimore area, that isn't a real viable option. I don't have that luxury. With the exception of same-day dives, I've never dived the same BC or regs twice. (The decision to buy my own gear is an easy one, given that I had a hose blow in Cayman.)

So...with that being said...any tips on purchasing gear, for divers like me, who don't have the luxury of "try before you buy" ? Thanks everyone!

OK, you live in Baltimore. I know this is a bit of a trek for you but if you want to rent a BP/W and dive locally you could try renting one from Virginia Scuba in Manassas. That would give you some experience in that style of configuration. They also sell Zeagle soft back inflate BC's, but I don't know if they also rent them. Of course this is only a solution to your problem if you plan on diving locally and can afford the time to make the trip to Virginia. You can certainly call a few shops and ask if they rent different styles of BC from the type you are most used to.

If you ever find yourself in the greater Ft. Lauderdale area I know that Fill Express rents the full DiveRite line of BC's.

Mark Vlahos

 

[redacted]

So...with that being said...any tips on purchasing gear, for divers like me, who don't have the luxury of "try before you buy" ? Thanks everyone!

In stead of trying to find the right BCD to marry now, why not just find one you can date for a little while until you decide what you want to settle down with. For under $50 you should be able to find a perfectly adaquate used BC that will get you thru the summer and more if you want. That will give you more time to look around and maybe try some other folks BC at dive site to help you make up you home in on the right one for you. There is lots of selection on ebay. Old Scubapro jackets retired from training and rental stock can be had as cheaply as $25. Also, check with local shops. Alot of the BCs on ebay are being sold by LDSs so maybe you can get a good deal and cut the USPS out of it. Look for volume sellers with good feedback. If a problem BC does slip thru. they should make good on it to avoid negative feedback. When you have found the BC for you, expect to get most of your $$ back when you recycle the temp. Or keep it as a spare.

A friend of mine (new diver) picked up a $25 Scubapro Classic that had a leak. She contacted the seller & he sent her another one that was clearly in better shape. When she asked where to return the first one, he said "keep it". I gave her $25 for it and patched it with a little aquaseal. 3 years later my daughter is still using it.

When you are ready for the BP/W pitch, just ask.

 

[devolution365]

I'm also currently researching BC's to make my first gear purchase. My LDS doesn't have a pool, but I'm going to see if I can rent a back-inflate from them for use next time I dive locally. A wing's a possibility -if I decide I want to try that, I'll see if there's someone on the board around here who's willing to meet me at the local quarry.

Other than that I don't know, but I've rented regular jacket BC's until now and any that were weight integrated with trim pockets in the back have worked out great for me (again, not trying to re-hash that debate). So, as a last resort I may put off the purchase, and start writing down the brands and sizes of BC's that I rent and try to find any that feel good and work well...

My 2¢
-Erica

 

[Mark Vlahos]

...and start writing down the brands and sizes of BC's that I rent and try to find any that feel good and work well...

My 2¢
-Erica

A PLAN! You will go far!

Many people say rent before you buy, myself included. But you have a plan of actually making notes about what you use. This is the only way you can make any sense of it all. You should include in your notes other factors like wetsuit thickness, amount of weight needed, and cylinder type. These and other factors will make a difference. A steel cylinder will concentrate more weight over your lungs, affecting your trim. Lots of weight down low on your hips with an Aluminum cylinder will also affect trim. It is as much about the center of gravity as how much total weight you are carrying that will make one BC the best choice for you while a different diver would hate the one you picked.

Mark Vlahos

 

[TheRedHead]

A PLAN! You will go far!

Many people say rent before you buy, myself included. But you have a plan of actually making notes about what you use. This is the only way you can make any sense of it all. You should include in your notes other factors like wetsuit thickness, amount of weight needed, and cylinder type.

Where have I heard that before? Oh, yes, a dive log!

 

[Mark Vlahos]

Where have I heard that before? Oh, yes, a dive log!

I thought a dive log was that thing laying on the bottom of the lake with branches.

Mark Vlahos

 

[Diveral]

If you mainly travel for diving in the tropics you may want to look at one of the travel BC's such as the Oceanic Islander or Sea-Elite Pro 45. I've never dove with either of them but I drive to the majority of my dive sites. Most on-line retailers have a 30 or 60 day return policy but they require it to be returned unused. You may want to order 2-3 BC's and try them on and check their feartures and keep the one you like. Might reduce the chance of making an expensive error.