What's the difference in Wing-jacket and 'normal' BC

[Rirarianneke]

After many dives with rental equipment and some really bad experiences (nothing dangerous; just a lot of unbelievably old stuff out there) I am considering of finally buying my own stuff.
Now that I am searching the net to get some info I see that for BCD's you can also get a wing-jacket. Can anyone tell me what the difference is between such a device and a 'normal' (jacket) BCD?

 

[TrojanCatMan]

I know this doesnt answer your question.. but I think it might open a new door!

Depending on your experience level I would highly reccomend a back plate and wings. There are pleanty of posts here on BP/W. I dont think I can bring myself to dive a jacket style again...

 

[H2Andy]

not sure what you mean by a wing-jacket... if you mean a back-inflate jacket, i would suggest a backplate and wings

wings are basically back-inflate devices that attach to a backplate. the tank mounts onto the backplate. you then wear the backplate by using a harness.

the pluses of this system is that you can infintely adjust the harness until it fits you perfectly (you can't do that with a jacket-style BC, even if it's back-inflate).

that superb fit gives you a lot more control and comfort in the water.

also, the wings spread the bouyancy all over your back, making it easier to hold bouyancy and trim.

also, they are more streamlined and have less drag than jacket-style. having to haul less stuff around under water saves you a lot of energy (water is 800 times denser than air). saving energy saves gas.

hope that helps

 

[TSandM]

There are basically three types of BCs: Jacket, back-inflate and BP/W. Jackets have an air bladder that wraps around the diver. One of the things people like about them is that they encourage an upright position in the water at the surface when they are inflated. One of the things people don't like about them is that, when you inflate them, they can squeeze your torso and be uncomfortable. They are also bulky

Back inflate BCs have all of the inflation bladder behind the diver, so nothing wraps around you. They are made as one piece and usually have a soft, padded back. They are sometimes criticized as tending to push the diver face forward on the surface, but this is usually true only if they are overinflated, or if the diver has a very large amount of weight on the front of his body. They tend to be more expensive than jackets (I don't know why).

Both jackets and back-inflate BCs can have pockets and D-rings to attach things to.

A BP/W is a modular system, consisting of three parts: An inflation bladder, a backplate (which is usually metal and not padded), and a harness. They are three separate components and may even be purchased from different companies. Bladders vary in size (lift), shape and construction. Backplates may be steel, aluminum or plastic, depending on your need for weight. Harnesses may be simple one-piece webbing, or more complex systems with releases. Generally, a BP/W setup will not have pockets unless you purchase and install them separately, so a lot of people diving them put pockets on their exposure protection.

Buoyancy-wise, the BP/W system can have the advantage of moving a significant amount of weight (five pounds or more) up onto your back, so that it's easier to maintain a horizontal position in the water. This can also be accomplished with the other types by using the trim pockets which are present in some of them.

You can read TONS of threads here on Scubaboard about the three kinds of BCs, and people's perception of their advantages and disadvantages. In the end, you should buy what is comfortable in the water and fits you well, and suits the kind of diving you are planning on doing.

 

[djanni]

Sorry to be so cynical but it says you've been a member since 2003. You've dived in several envious countries around the world and yet you don't know a back inflate from a jacket from a bp/w?

I wonder??!?

Back inflates don't push you face forward any more than do bp/w's do even though another poster didn't mention that and the more modern jacket style BC's, such as those by Oceanic, don't squeeze you when inflated.

Some individuals will try to lure you toward the type BCD they use, such as a bp/w with talk about minimalism and as someone said, "infinite" fit adjustments but after you add pockets and integrated weight pouches bp/w's are no more minimal or streamlined (another something you may hear) than anything else is. In fact they can become a PITA because of all the add-on stuff.

A proper fitting BC is extremely important but don't fall for the line that a bp/w will fit better than anything else. It doesn't.

I sort of like bp/w's but they are NOT the panacea some would have you think. My personal choice is a soft-back with wing (back-inflate) style BC with integrated pockets, weight pouches and etc. I'll take the the creature comforts over minimalism any day and mine fits so well you never know you're wearing it. Assuming the BCD is suitable to the application then to each his/her own and in the end it comes down to a personal choice that includes fit, feel, looks and convienience.

I suspect you already knew all this but good luck anyway.

 

[TSandM]

Don Janni, there are a lot of divers in the world who have never seen or heard of a BP/W setup.

I think the OP has gotten some information here . . . There are various kinds of BCs; you need to know the pros and cons of each, and you need to buy what fits you and suits the diving you want to do.

 

[SangP]

Here's a couple of PROPER explanations:

http://www.blueseaadventures.com/store/bcds/bc_faq.htm
http://scubatoys.com/store/joelarry/backfloatation.asp

SangP

 

[sasscuba]

My vote is for a back inflate BC.

 

[djanni]

Don Janni, there are a lot of divers in the world who have never seen or heard of a BP/W setup.

I think the OP has gotten some information here . . . There are various kinds of BCs; you need to know the pros and cons of each, and you need to buy what fits you and suits the diving you want to do.

It is "possible" the OP has never seen or heard of a bp/w. It's also "possible" they thought there was a BC known as a jacket/wing.

It's great when people talk about the pros and cons of the different styles. It's great when they point out the differences.

It's NOT so great when 2 different styles have the same strength yet someone only associates that strength with the style they like the most. That's missleading. It's Not very helpful when 2 different styles have the same weakness yet they only associate that weekness with the style they don't use. That's missleading.

Albeit, human nature, and I will give you that.

 

[jbd]

There are basically three types of BCs: Jacket, back-inflate and BP/W. Jackets have an air bladder that wraps around the diver. One of the things people like about them is that they encourage an upright position in the water at the surface when they are inflated. One of the things people don't like about them is that, when you inflate them, they can squeeze your torso and be uncomfortable. They are also bulky

Back inflate BCs have all of the inflation bladder behind the diver, so nothing wraps around you. They are made as one piece and usually have a soft, padded back. They are sometimes criticized as tending to push the diver face forward on the surface, but this is usually true only if they are overinflated, or if the diver has a very large amount of weight on the front of his body. They tend to be more expensive than jackets (I don't know why).

Both jackets and back-inflate BCs can have pockets and D-rings to attach things to.

A BP/W is a modular system, consisting of three parts: An inflation bladder, a backplate (which is usually metal and not padded), and a harness. They are three separate components and may even be purchased from different companies. Bladders vary in size (lift), shape and construction. Backplates may be steel, aluminum or plastic, depending on your need for weight. Harnesses may be simple one-piece webbing, or more complex systems with releases. Generally, a BP/W setup will not have pockets unless you purchase and install them separately, so a lot of people diving them put pockets on their exposure protection.

Buoyancy-wise, the BP/W system can have the advantage of moving a significant amount of weight (five pounds or more) up onto your back, so that it's easier to maintain a horizontal position in the water. This can also be accomplished with the other types by using the trim pockets which are present in some of them.

You can read TONS of threads here on Scubaboard about the three kinds of BCs, and people's perception of their advantages and disadvantages. In the end, you should buy what is comfortable in the water and fits you well, and suits the kind of diving you are planning on doing.

Very nicely said--a wonderfully informative post in a section of the forums known for chest thumping.