Which BC should I buy???

[FloridaDiver]

I owned a Ranger but made a switch to the Transpac - I'm glad I did. The Ranger is a great BC, but the Transpac is more versatile, allowing you to add or switch "components" as needed. For instance, I use the Trek wings for colder water wetsuits and my drysuit. In summer, it's simple to switch over to the Travel Wing - perfect for tropical diving, easy to pack, and very streamlined.

You can also add pockets, change D Ring positions, etc. I like the simple, velcro weight pockets vs. the ripcord on the Ranger. Construction quality is about even, I'd say.

I did find the crotch strap to be essential. Without it, the system tends to shift a bit.

The Transpac is a well designed, comfortable and versatile system that has been one of my more satisfying equipment purchases. For a serious recreational diver, it works very well.

 

[Tavi]

I have foud that the Dive Rite Transpac II is more comfortable for me than the Zeagle. I also find it more versatile. I didn't reply to this thread earlier because the Transpac wasn't mentioned. Now that it has been, it gets my nod of approval.

Tavi

 

[tombiowami]

I have made several dives with the Ranger, and have just purchased the Halcyon rig. I just got back from Florida doing 8 dives with 11 or so hours of water time in the springs. I am going to write up my observations about the Halcyon compared to the Ranger, and about the trip.

Warning, Warning, opinion coming up....

The Halcyon is by far, by far the most comfy BC I have ever tried. It took me one dive to get the webbing right, and the next dive, well I will put it this way. I forgot completely about the bc until out of the water and I thought, wow, I did not even think about it! It was like an extension of myself, it puts an entirely new face on diving for me. The Ranger, and other BCs I have tried, were always shifting and I was having to adjust this or that. This rig stays right where you put it and does its job flawlessly, so you can concentrate on diving, and your surroundings, which is more fun and safer than on you bc.

The guys at Ext. Ex. gave great service on the phone and at the shop. I got it online and when we stopped in they asked me to bring it in and gave me some more tips on setup. They were all extremely friendly and helpful, no brutish egos at all.

I will say it does not look comfy, but it is made for diving, not looking good on the shelf, or on a Playboy bunny in a bathing suit.
Gotta run...


Tommy

 

[TexasMike]

First off, thanks GP for the ego boost on my review of the Ranger.

Next, let me muddy the water a bit. While on a dive trip to the ship wrecks off of the NC coast ( www.ncwreckdiving.com ), I got to see the OMS BC's in action and ask their owners lots of questions.

From what I saw, and what I learned, the OMS are some good BC's for the backplate/wings design and should meet your serious technical diving needs with ease. And they are definitely on my list as a potential upgrade when I exceed the capacity of my Ranger (which is going to take some doing).

For some good insight into the DiveRite Transpac BC, check with TekDiver here on the board. He has had one for years and is very knowledgeable in it. He also has the OMS BC and will be glad to answer your questions about it.

A lot of the information you will get about why BC "A" is better than BC "B" will depend a lot on that diver's individual needs (aka dive profiles) for the BC. It makes sense for a serious technical diver to stick with the Halcyon, OMS, Dive-Rite BC's. Just as it makes sense for "part time/learning how to be a tech diver" (like me) to choose something that is the best of both worlds like the Ranger. Like chosing a pickup truck, do you need the small one, full size, or the super duty? From there, it's mostly brands and small features.

All of the BC's mentioned so far are good choices. And I encourage you to investigate them all and select the one that suits your needs.

 

[WetDane]

exceed the capacity of my Ranger

Hey Mike,

I can do that for you in about a heartbeat... I have a friend with a Ranger, she enjoys is as much as you do (I think)...

However, try to mount a canister light on the waist belt... It took some serious fiddling for my friend (since there is no waist belt), it had to be added on one side of the wing and seems a little sketchy - it does work though.

I dive a Dive Rite at the moment, I got it for the same reasons a lot of people have mentioned, they are not quite there yet and don't want to go the full stretch... The truth of it is, the BP is cheaper and more comfortable, although I love my Dive Rite, I wish I had just got the Halcyon right away - I don't think it will be easy to sell a Dive Rite with a couple hundred dives on it...

My vote is for the halcyon as well.

Big T

 

[TexasMike]

Originally posted by WetDane
...try to mount a canister light on the waist belt... It took some serious fiddling for my friend (since there is no waist belt), it had to be added on one side of the wing and seems a little sketchy - it does work though.

Big T

The North Carolina dives were the first time that I used a canister style light, the Niterider Blackwater 3000 (which performed well for me). I mounted the battery pack on the lower tank belt of the Ranger and it did just fine there.

But you are correct that many of the BP/Wings BC's (especially the OMS BC's I saw in NC) already have plenty of attachment points (d-rings and such) for the various types of gear that a technical diver would use.

Iguana Don is bringing his Halcyon rig to our Halloween dive. I'm looking forward to checking it out.

 

[WetDane]

You will love it.
I know about moounting to the tank like that - my question then woudl be - how easy is it for you to turn the light on and off? I just reach down and flip the switch...

What halloween dive? Where?

Big T

 

[TexasMike]

One of the nice features of the Blackwater 3000 (www.niteriderdive.com) is that the on/off switch is on the light head. And there are actually 2 lights in the head, one is a 12 watt, the other a 20 watt. And you can turn both of them on at the same time.

Halloween dive: Where you been? This has been posted in the Texas section for a while now! Come down and join us. Lots of diving, good friends, and a bang up good dinner to boot!

 

[WetDane]

Hehe - I can't resist this...

I thoguht you said "light" - I have a 50w AUL with a 12v 14ah battery - that woudl be about 20lbs for the battery alone - but it gives 2 hours of 50w light and that is almost enough for a couple of night dives...

Hmm - Texas huh? I'll have to chew on that - what's the water temp there? better than my balmy 56?

Cheers,
Big T