What kind of "BC" should I get and why?

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Better question would be: what are factors I should consider in purchasing a BC and why?

The type of BC you need will be driven by the following factors IMHO.
What type of diving you going to do? Recreational, Cave, Wreck, Tec, Rec/Tec
Single tank or doubles?
Wetsuit or Drysuit?
Boat or beach or both? (boat, no real surface swim, beach usally big surface swim. This may impact on your decision on back inflate or jacket style).
Do you intend to travel with your BC and want a small easily packed one?
Do you like back inflate or jacket style?

These questions will effect what type of BC you require. How much lift you need. Remember, a BC is not a lift bag. It's only function is to replace at depth the buoyancy you lost due to compression, and on the surface to get your head out of the water if you are not already neutral (which you most likely will be with an empty BC if diving wet 7mm suit). For a diver wearing 20 Lbs of weights, a BC with 28 LBS lift should be plenty. More lift, means more air to fill it and more volume in the BC which in turn means more drag and more air to swim it.

So what kind of BC should you get, I don't know. It depends upon the type of diving you do and how much lift you need and what your personal preference is. Some people love a back inflate, some love a jacket style.
 
Your gonna hear this a lot but I would (and did) go with a Back Plate and Wing with a single continuous harness. Seriously it's not a fad, it's not hype it's pure simplicity and the highest degree of stability. Do a search on BP/W you will find tons of info. Amoung the many reasons here's one from me: I went from diving with 26lbs to now diving with 16lbs that in itself should be the reason.

If you got a couple bucks to spend look into Halcyon's Eclipse System...Awesome! If not there are other brands that are cheaper.
 
CALI68:
Your gonna hear this a lot but I would (and did) go with a Back Plate and Wing with a single continuous harness. Seriously it's not a fad, it's not hype it's pure simplicity and the highest degree of stability. Do a search on BP/W you will find tons of info. Amoung the many reasons here's one from me: I went from diving with 26lbs to now diving with 16lbs that in itself should be the reason.

If you got a couple bucks to spend look into Halcyon's Eclipse System...Awesome! If not there are other brands that are cheaper.
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Wow, changing to a BP/W and you were able to dive with 10 less pounds? Or is the 10 pounds now in your backplate instead of in your weight system (i.e. dropping lead but adding SS)?
 
Welcome, that question is asked so many times by the new scuba dewds, but we can't answer it. We need more information on your dive history, proposed future in diving, eg, do you think you'll ever go into the TECH/DIR direction??
 
DBailey:
Wow, changing to a BP/W and you were able to dive with 10 less pounds? Or is the 10 pounds now in your backplate instead of in your weight system (i.e. dropping lead but adding SS)?
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I was diving with my DUI CF200, Andy's Stretch 1000 undergarments, a Zeagle Ranger LTD and 29lbs with a single PS E7 HP Steel 80. When I switched to a back plate I started with a conservative 22 lbs..too heavy. Then I went to 20lbs...too heavy. 18?....still too heavy. Now I'm at 16 (PLATE INCLUDED) and it seems real close. I can hover at 15' with no problem. Before I made the switch I asked the same qustion and someone responded "believe it Cali" and now I do!

They are truly awesome. The only thng is that they take a while to get used to donning and doffing but after a while (and you must be patient) you WILL get it! :)

-Chris
 
I just made my first 4 dives on a BP and Wing and wish I would have done it in the first place. Wow! Comfy and it was really like flying! This is my 4th and last BC. BP and wing does it all from Largo to cold water diving.

I also had the same issue as Cali above. I kept taking weight off and still kept dropping like a rock this weekend. The next time I dive I'll have to take even more weight off. I couldn't believe it. I should mention the weight I took off was above and beyong the 6 pound plate.

I have the Dive Rite SS plate, Venture 30# wing, and Transplate harness with SS cam buckles and 8 pound (each) DR transweight weight pockets. I like the extra adjustability for now on the transplate harness versus the continuos webbing since I go back and forth from Florida to NE dry suit diving.

Research all these names like harness, transplate, wing, STA, and such and you will be able to understand it all more. It may be an option you already have considered. It took me a week of internet reading before I really understood what the heck a Back Plate and Wing was. Not to mention all the minor brand difs. and changes. Seriously consider it though, It's the first time a BC has exceeded ALL my needs. It's not just for tech diving. I can't believe that I sound like one of those annoying BP and wing freaks but I am glad I listened and tried it.
 
scubadobadoo:
I just made my first 4 dives on a BP and Wing and wish I would have done it in the first place. Wow! Comfy and it was really like flying! This is my 4th and last BC. BP and wing does it all from Largo to cold water diving.

I also had the same issue as Cali above. I kept taking weight off and still kept dropping like a rock this weekend. The next time I dive I'll have to take even more weight off. I couldn't believe it. I should mention the weight I took off was above and beyong the 6 pound plate.

I have the Dive Rite SS plate, Venture 30# wing, and Transplate harness with SS cam buckles and 8 pound (each) DR transweight weight pockets. I like the extra adjustability for now on the transplate harness versus the continuos webbing since I go back and forth from Florida to NE dry suit diving.

Research all these names like harness, transplate, wing, STA, and such and you will be able to understand it all more. It may be an option you already have considered. It took me a week of internet reading before I really understood what the heck a Back Plate and Wing was. Not to mention all the minor brand difs. and changes. Seriously consider it though, It's the first time a BC has exceeded ALL my needs. It's not just for tech diving. I can't believe that I sound like one of those annoying BP and wing freaks but I am glad I listened and tried it.
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Welcome to the club. Want to share some Koolaid?
Honestly good post. I wish that I had figured out that a BPW was the solution before I bought my other two wings. A mear $1,000. wasted!
Oh well, live and learn.
 
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