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BigboyDan:
That pretty much sums it up right there....You know, buying a new car is anywhere from a $6000 to a $300000 decision, and "very few people do anything blindly concerning" buying a new car....
Why are BP/W users more common on this board than at the beach?
- Thread starter kidspot
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That pretty much sums it up right there....You know, buying a new car is anywhere from a $6000 to a $300000 decision, and "very few people do anything blindly concerning" buying a new car....
BigboyDan
Guest
A BP/W is not a substitute for a girlfriend... well maybe for some... BUT NOT for most of us.
OP
I knew that I'd get to go diving more frequently if I had a second set of gear, so I bought a "backup" bp/wing to loan to friends. One of them is now considering buying it from me (gotta sell it to pay for DIR-F). Her first impression was "doesn't look like much" and "too bad you couldn't afford one of those real bc's" now she loves it and would rather buy mine used than a new cheaper jacket BC (from triple-l)!
Hopefully in time I'll be able to get another one - I have yet to loan it to someone who does not like it...
Tim
Hopefully in time I'll be able to get another one - I have yet to loan it to someone who does not like it...
Tim
BigboyDan:
I think some divers like to make this complicated....and somtimes I feel that they are compelled to be condescending regarding other divers choices in gear. Frankly it bugs me a bit. However, I think that they are trying to be helpful.
I think of the two different styles like vehicles. a car and a truck. They both get you around, just in different ways.
BTW, I own both.
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BigboyDan:
LOL, I won't edit that lame argument out, it is telling enough as it is...
Personally, having just switched to BP/W, I like the simplified streamlined aspect of it. I thought my SeaQuest Balance was nice when I got it (because it replaced a jacket BC which caused me claustophobia), but if I'd only known about BP/W 2 years ago...
JustinW
Contributor
Most divers are recreational divers and have little to no need for a "tech" rig. Of those shops that have converted to tech, many have failed or have found themselves unable to meet the needs of the majority of the true customer base. Granted the tech wannabees around here will scream with anecdotal comments about how they have a great shop that caters to GUE people.
Think about it really. A typical dive shop certifies new divers year round, of those, a portion will purchase BC's and regs, the rest will be content with renting gear on their infrequent trips to warm places.
As convinced as some might be, a BP/W is not for everyone, not even most people. Any dive shop owner in their right mind is only going to sell the equipment that people ask for, and they don't ask for BP/W and a 12' octo hose. The recreational diver that has tech gear may be happy with it, but that is equipment that is certainly not designed with the typical diver in mind.
Why are BP/W more common on this board? Merely a difference in demographics and psychographics of the users of this board. Why do you not see that equipment more often at the beach? Because the equipment is not designed for the average diver, and furthermore, because the certification agencies associated with the equipment place themselves in that position. GUE and the DIR niche (key word niche) have characteristics* that make them less appealing to most certified divers
*on average in general
Think about it really. A typical dive shop certifies new divers year round, of those, a portion will purchase BC's and regs, the rest will be content with renting gear on their infrequent trips to warm places.
As convinced as some might be, a BP/W is not for everyone, not even most people. Any dive shop owner in their right mind is only going to sell the equipment that people ask for, and they don't ask for BP/W and a 12' octo hose. The recreational diver that has tech gear may be happy with it, but that is equipment that is certainly not designed with the typical diver in mind.
Why are BP/W more common on this board? Merely a difference in demographics and psychographics of the users of this board. Why do you not see that equipment more often at the beach? Because the equipment is not designed for the average diver, and furthermore, because the certification agencies associated with the equipment place themselves in that position. GUE and the DIR niche (key word niche) have characteristics* that make them less appealing to most certified divers
*on average in general
meisburger
Guest
I'm not sure there are more scubaboard BP/W users than their percentage of the diving population. Those who have been converted are more fervent in their faith, and more likely to want to convert others. Those who don't care, by defination don't care and are less likely to bring up the subject of BCs at all.
I myself dove a jacket BC for many years and finally bought the BP/W based on what I read here. I used it a while, but truthfully didn't find it as comfortable or practical as my jacket, and sold it to a friend who liked the way it looked. I dive in tropical water, and find the jacket fine. I reckon the BP/W rig is at its best with dry suits and cold water, and am sure anyone who uses one in those conditions would probably prefer the same rig in tropical climes, and thats great.
One point, people keep mentioning how economical the BP/W setup is, but I think you can get a perfectly serviceable BC for a third the cost. Possibly as the BP/W becomes more popular the price will go down, since it really is a simple construction.
I myself dove a jacket BC for many years and finally bought the BP/W based on what I read here. I used it a while, but truthfully didn't find it as comfortable or practical as my jacket, and sold it to a friend who liked the way it looked. I dive in tropical water, and find the jacket fine. I reckon the BP/W rig is at its best with dry suits and cold water, and am sure anyone who uses one in those conditions would probably prefer the same rig in tropical climes, and thats great.
One point, people keep mentioning how economical the BP/W setup is, but I think you can get a perfectly serviceable BC for a third the cost. Possibly as the BP/W becomes more popular the price will go down, since it really is a simple construction.
StSomewhere
Contributor
Evangelism?kidspot:
OP
Since many of us do not consider the bp/w to be tech gear, rather dive gear capable of being used in a tech environment. Would you say that this perception is growing and may one day encourage a more widespread availability or will it always be percieved as "tech" only gear and remain a "niche" market?
Tim
Tim
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