which bc to buy

[jnallen]

i've looked and looked and it seems that the choices are not dwindleing. i want to buy a bc, but don't know which to get. i know that fit, comfort, and versatility are all considerations; however, most of the ones i've looked at boast all of that. i've narrowed it down to three: sea-quest balance, sea-quest black diamond, and the zeagle ranger. any comments on these?

 

[Michael Schlink]

Take a look at a DiveRite Transpac II, it is a little more versatile than some mentioned and can grow with you. All that you mentioned are similar in quality so consider price, warranty and the ability to adapt to your changing diving needs.

 

[H2Andy]

i would strongly urge you to consider a backplate and wing package from Dive Rite or Halcyon (though you dont' have to buy from them directly).

there is no setup as versatile and as infinitely adjustable as the backplate and wings.

the Transpac II is ok, but I'd go with a true backplate/wings, which is what the Transpac II wants to be anyway.

 

[ae3753]

Many comments on Sea-Quest Balance, Sea-Quest Black Diamond, and the Zeagle ranger. Here are some previous threads.

Zeagle Ranger
Zeagle Brigade vs Dive Rite Transpac II vs Mares Jubilee
Zeagle Ranger or Seaquest Black Diamond
Seaquest Balance or Zeagle Escape?
Zeagle: Ranger or Brigade ?

 

[LChan]

if you are looking at the Ranger - you should also look at the escape and the new Stiletto.

 

[DutchDown]

I have a Seaquest Balance for singles and a bp/wing for doubles. I love them both. The Balance packs well for travel and is very, very comfortable. I'd happily recommend it if you are looking for a back-inflate bc.

Regards,

Phil

 

[Chad Carney]

Zeagle's new 2005 Stiletto is the first BC from Zeagle in a long time to put streamlining and extremely durable construction together. It's designed for serious divers that will stick to a single tank. It has the Zeagle Personal Fit System, (PFS.) It is made of almost all Cordura materials, including the sleek 35 pound lift bladder with Zeagle winglet clips, stainless steel D-rings, a large lumbar pad and everything else that comes standard on Zeagle BCs.

The Ranger is a much larger BC that can go to technical double tank diving. It has a 44 pound wide ballistic cloth bladder and vest. It no longer has the PFS, but that can be found on the Ranger LTD.

The new Escape is a full feature BC of mostly nylon construction, made to be light weight and lower cost for the traveling diver. It does not have the PFS in 2005.

The Seaquest Balance is relatively similar to the Escape, as is the Black Diamond and Raider to the Ranger.

The 2005 line of Zeagle BCs are landing in stores across the country today.

Chad Carney
FL Zeagle Sales

 

[Charlie99]

I have a Seaquest Balance for singles and a bp/wing for doubles. I love them both. The Balance packs well for travel and is very, very comfortable. I'd happily recommend it if you are looking for a back-inflate bc.

Why do you use a BC for singles, rather than getting a singles wing for your backplate? Have you ever tried out the bp/wing with singles?

Charlie

 

[H2Andy]

Why do you use a BC for singles, rather than getting a singles wing for your backplate? Have you ever tried out the bp/wing with singles?

Charlie

my same thought...

 

[Michael Schlink]

Andy the TransPac doesn't want to be a BP/wing. It doesn't want to be anything it's an object. Not everybody wants or needs a BP/Wing. In my case I have probably 10 times more dives than you in EACH setup and I PREFER my TransPac over my BP for certain types of diving. I try to reccomend to my students a piece of equipment that will work best for them in the type of diving they'll be doing. A BP/wing is great for some and not so great for others and not good at all for other folks. Here's more food for thought my wife who has over 1000 dives all over, was a DM for 10 years and has dove numerous BCD's STILL prefers her Oceanic Isla. She also has a Transpac but likes a jacket BCD-and she'll dive circles around you.