When should you buy your own BC?

[kevinpchandra]

Hi,

I just got my license 2 months ago. Only been diving 7 times and will be diving in Bunaken next week. I am getting my own mask, snorkel, wetsuit and fins. My question is, since BC is quite expensive, should I get my own bc? or renting is okay since I am not a heavy diver just occasional (although I would like to do more in the future whenever possible).

Thanks in advance!

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

Quick answer - A lot of positives (knowing your config, how you take care of it, where performanc should be, control in the water, comfort, dive more, etc..) to owning your own gear and to me, it's worth it to have your own gear. Renting problems - every operation uses different gear so wide range of quality (most use the cheapest they can get), performance (they don't service as often as the should, a lot of problems), comfort (just get use to gear at the end of trip) and expense (cheap at first but depending on how often you travel, over time, you may have been able to own it).

 

[mala]

you should buy your own bc/wing when you have dived enough to know what would be best for you.

better to rent for a while and see what suits.

2p

 

[Coconut Divers]

Mala is right ! Try to use different equipment and find out what you like !

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Get a Back Plate & Wing and it will be the last BC you will ever need.

 

[drbill]

Some good advice above. Not much I can add. If you only do a few dozen dives a year, try renting different gear and see what you like. If you start doing more dives a year, it would be better to have your own gear and know its characteristics. Of course another factor is that if you travel to dive (as Wayne pointed out), that can become an additional factor. A BCD that is good for local diving MAY not be good when you travel (although I use the same model all the time but have one for local use, one for travel and a backup).

 

[supergaijin]

I think BCD's are over-priced and I personally hate traveling with them... IMO, rent unless you really get in to the sport and start to dive locally. Then ask around locally for opinions. Ask actual divers- not retailers.

 

[dfx]

you should buy your own bc/wing when you have dived enough to know what would be best for you.

better to rent for a while and see what suits.

2p

Agreed, but with one exception. In many places, rental BCDs are fairly cheap and simple models, which means no weight integration, which means you're stuck with weight belts. If you're like me and absolutely hate weight belts, then that's a good reason to buy a BCD early on, or at least rent a weight integrated one locally for a week and take it with you.

 

[t4e]

Get a Back Plate & Wing and it will be the last BC you will ever need.

hbrother:

 

[TSandM]

I don't know what to tell you about BCs, but you might consider hiring your own DM for Bunaken. That's not beginner diving. The walls there are sheer and their bottoms are several hundred feet deep, and the currents can be strong. I really enjoyed diving there, but I can't imagine doing it with as little experience as you have. Please be careful.