Which One?

[stepup]

I am wanting to buy my own BCD. I have been renting and I am tired of renting BCDs and them never fitting me the same. Also I am tired of having to wear a dang weight belt. I am wanting a BCD that has integrated weights and also one that is fairly comfortable. I am 6'3 285lbs. I am not really sure which one to get. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Mark Vlahos]

OK, I'll say it, get a back plate and wing.

Now that that is out of the way, Have you thought of a back inflate style BC like a Zeagle? Zeagle makes many styles to choose from, and they offer the ability to build a BC from various size components. You might like an XL shoulder harness paired with a L waist portion for example.

I like the weight integration and method of ditching in an emergency on the Zeagle more than any others I have seen.

Find a shop in your area that carries Zeagle and try one on, remembering that you can mix and match sizes on the various parts to get the fit just right.

Mark Vlahos

 

[knives]

I bought a jacket style BC when I first started diving and also did not like the weight belt aspect , after a year i sold it and bought a backplate (steel 6lbs) and wing (halcyon) and now have weight better distributed on by back , depending on what I am diving , (3ml 5 ml or drysuit, I can add weight to my integrated pockets or with a weighted single tank adapter, all I know is it makes for a more comfortable dive!
This is what I have now
http://www.halcyon.net/mc/eclipse.shtml

happy new year and safe diving!

 

[sharkattack]

Wing/ Backplate could possibly drop 22 lbs right off your weight belt (If you even use that much)

I too also use the Halcyon Eclipse for single and Evolve for doubles (2 different wings)

 

[WVDiver]

Well you have unwittingly opened Pandora's Box with this one. There are as many types and styles of BC as there are ideas on which is the best. All of it boils down to knowing what you want and where your diving is headed.

It is good to rent a few BCs before you buy. Try to get different styles to try. Experiment with them and see which design or style you like best, such as jacket style or back bladder. It may be a little more difficult to find a BP/W to try unless you know someone who has one. If you think you are headed in the tech. diving direction find someone knowledgeable in the field that can give you good adivce. A good place to start with any and all of your questions of course in your LDS.

The best way to get your moneys worth is to educate yourself in regards to what is out there and above all try some out and dive with them. Soon enough you will begin to form your own ideas about what you like or dislike. Then some day in the future you may get to a point where it won't make any difference what you wear for any given dive because your comfort level will increase.

Have fun and dive often.

 

[wallacm]

Yup I would suggest the BP/W, but the zeagle's are great BCDs. It all depends what you prefer whether its back inflation or jacket. I would suggest if you decide on a back inflation i would get the BP/W they are more versatile and a lot easier to customize.

 

[beach89]

I like the Zeagle Brigade. After diving with a bunch of old rental BCDs, having one that doesn't move up and down all the time is great. No more getting hit in the head with my own tank.