Whats a good Bp/w model?

[The_Ghost]

I got back from a dive trip and tried out some various BCD's and I ended up liking the BP/W.

The only issue I had with the one I was renting is that it didn't have enough lift. Since the one I had was a rental and the LDS said it was old...the bladder was a little small and it made it a little difficult to adjust my trim. Also the BCD inflator hose seemed to hang a little high. I could reach and use it easly, but when I dive with a jacket BCD I am used to it having it hang a little lower. This the norm for bp/w or is it just me?


So what are the BP/W you guys are useing? Something with a bigger bladder.

 

[SangP]

I would be hard pressed to say anything about any bcd cus you did not mention the make, model or even lift of the bp/w.

For most, a 30-40 lbs wing is good enough n unless you're diving heavy steels a 40 is overkill.

A 16" hose is pretty standard for most wings but some are shorter and in fact a shorter hose is better when it comes to venting and for stowing away. If you want something longer you will have to ask for one.

SangP

 

[The_Ghost]

You beat me too it. I had to go google the name to get the correct spelling.

It was a Halcyon, it was a donut shape BCD. Single bladder, kinda like the picture posted below. As for the lift, the LDS didn't know. I would have to guess around 30/35 due to the size.

With it fully inflated it couldn't get my full head out of the water.

 

[SangP]

If it's old it could either be a Halcyon Pioneer or Eclipse:

Pioneer:

Eclipse

The pioneer was either a 27 o4 36 lbs n the eclipse is 30 lbs.

For the most part, a 30 is pretty much all you need unless you are a very big guy or have very thick exposure gear n need lots of weight.

If you seriously need a lot more lift the 40 lbs oxycheq wing is a great wing n it's just barely bigger than a regular 30 lbs cus of it's design.

SangP

 

[The_Ghost]

From the pics you posted it would have to be the Halcyon Pioneer. For as big of a guy I am, I'm surprised I don't need more weight to pull me down. Then again I havn't used a full wetsuit. With my 6.5 shorty, I think my weight only needs to be 13lbs. I wore 15 this time since it was more easly distributed and I figured 2 lbs more wouldn't cause that much harm.

As for the lift, 40 should be fine, I don't need to lift a tank but just something a little more then the standard.

 

[fisheater]

I'm a big fan of Deep Sea Supply (DSS).

Very well thought out and executed AND you get to call and talk to the owner, who really wants you to have what will fit you and your diving.

 

[WeldonDowd]

I can't think of any brand of wings that I would stay away from. The following suggestions come from purly open water recreational diving with a wing. A few things I personnaly look for are an inflator hose that is offset to the left and not placed in the center of the bladder. This is due to where I like my tank for trim and the center inflator hose touching the first stage. You can listen to a thousand arguements that this isn't an issue but for me it is. I also like the inflator hose to have a pull dump. Again, many don't want a pull dump and I hardly ever use it but I still want one. If your dive buddies all use back inflates and jacket bc's and ever have to help you out and deflate your wing in an emergency pulling your inflator hose probably will be the way they try to do it.
As far as your inflator length quarry goes I too had your concern but now couldn't have it any other way. Think about how far the longer ones dangle down when doing your best Superman impersonation.

 

[TSandM]

Where were you diving, and how much weight were you carrying, that this wing couldn't get your face out of the water? This ought to be very adequate lift for the average cold water diver.

Remember that, at the surface, you should only be negative by the amount of gas you intend to consume during the dive. At the surface, whatever exposure protection you are using should not be compressed, so you should have all the lift that offers. In cold water, a lot of that lift will be countered by gravity acting on your tank and your weights, but your goal is to be accurately weighted; that is, negative only by what you intend to lose during the dive.

If you can't get your head out of the water with that wing, I'd take a very serious look at your weighting. I'm quite sure I could get my head out of the water with a 17 lb wing in cold water -- what I couldn't do is float my gear if I took it off (and therefore lost the 28 pounds of lift that my dry suit affords me!)

 

[The_Ghost]

I was diving at haighs quarry with 15 lbs of weight(including bp). Had a 6.5 mil shorty on. With full inflated I could get half of my head above water. Typically I dive with 13 when I rent the jacket style, so I guess those 2 extra lbs threw me off?

Maybe I lost some fat and need to recheck my weight... it's possible but not likely.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

1+ for TSand M's post above.

What might be happening here is that a BP/W "feels" a bit different in the way it floats you on the surface. If you are properly weighted, it will provide plenty of lift to keep your head out of the water, but may not float you as "high" out of the water as a traditional jacket BC. What you can do with a BP/W is lean back a bit if needed.

I'd highly recommend not buying more wing than you actually need. For most single tank divers, a wing in the 30lb range will provide more than adequate lift.... and in tropical water, most divers can get away with small wings in the 17-20lb range.


Best wishes.