why would any one get a jacket BC

[stangpb]

I have a questions regarding different types of BCs. I see many people talk about the negative points of jacket style, my question is why would any one buy or need one.

Also I know lots of people say to get a BP/W because they are upgradeable and can grow with your skill. If I get a regular back inflate can that also be upgraded say for doubles.

Sorry to sound like a noob but I am new to this stuff and don’t really understand it. I am not really looking at specific brands but if you could show some examples of different styles that would be great.

Thanks
james

 

[Lead_carrier]

some don't. I use a jacket a lot more than I do my bp/wings. My jacket is comfortable, well built, I like the feel and I'm not really into giving a hoot what anyone thinks about what I wear. It has worked fine for me for the first few hundred dives and I'm sure it will work fine for the next few. Others like the feel of the bp/wing setup and in some cases I use mine. Is one safer than the other? Not in my opinion. My suggestion is to dive with both if possible and then get the one that you prefer.

 

[Fish_Whisperer]

Hello, James. Welcome.

I chose a jacket BC because it's what I learned to dive with. I really like mine, and I won't be ready for the technical stuff for a good long time, and I'm in no particular hurry anyway. The jacket style is just fine for the kind of diving I do. There's another thread on this topic already. See here: http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=128917

 

[stangpb]

i notice that while using a jacket, i have to keep it a little loose so when i inflate it i don't die, so when it is not fully inflated it is loose. With a BP would i be able to tighten it up good, when it is not inflated because they fill up in the back so they don't squeeze?

 

[Charlie99]

Jacket BCs are easy to adjust. BCDs have pockets. BCDs work nicely and were considered a great innovation when they replaced backplates a few decades ago.

When looking for a 2nd BCD to leave at a winter home a couple years ago I looked into BP/W and visited 3 different Halcyon dealers. At each one, I was discouraged from using BP/W for singles. And this was by guys that used BP/W for doubles diving. The independent consensus from 3 guys and 1 woman at 3 different places that sold backplates was "don't bother for singles". All 4 people owned and regularly used backplates for doubles. Only 2 had actually tried out singles setups. None of the 4 were able to give a clear rationale other than just "I like the xxxx better" (I don't recall their preferences other than most were back inflate BCDs or the semi-back inflate Seaquest ProQD.)

I've never been able to resolve the discrepancy between those peoples recommendations and the oft repeated "get a BP/W" advice seen on this board.

 

[dherbman]

i notice that while using a jacket, i have to keep it a little loose so when i inflate it i don't die, so when it is not fully inflated it is loose. With a BP would i be able to tighten it up good, when it is not inflated because they fill up in the back so they don't squeeze?

BP or back inflate BC would not put a squeeze on you when inflated.
Black Diamond is a back inflate jacket which can be used for doubles.

 

[yukoneer]

The only main reason why I started out with Jacket BC's is because I took classes in it. I noticed a whole world of better difference when I got my Zeagle Ranger back inflate - and sold my jacket BC immediately, no regrets!

 

[Paco]

I also learned with a jacket style. It is what I bought, what I became accustomed to and it what I like. I don't really ever feel squeezed. Maybe proper weighting has something to do with it. My drysuit squeezes, bc doesn't.

 

[RonFrank]

Also I know lots of people say to get a BP/W because they are upgradeable and can grow with your skill. If I get a regular back inflate can that also be upgraded say for doubles.

The irony of the BP/W setup, or a tech BC like the Ranger or Knighthawk is that many people who are into tech diving have different setups for different tank configurations even if they COULD use one setup for all applications.

Many people have a setup for singles, and then a setup for doubles. This is largely because the most expensive part of the setup is the wing, and if one is really diving different setups on a regular basis, it's just easier to have each adjusted and ready to go for whatever the diving calls for.

The BP and webbing is inexpensive, and the weighting and attachments for doubles is different vs. a single. So the argument buy once becomes really less of a factor than one may think.

I just changed out from a Ranger to a Stiletto because I realize that if I DO want the extra lift, and setup to dive doubles, I will likely get a second setup for that. I don't need 45lbs of lift, and the Stiletto packs up MUCH nicer, and provides everything I need for single tank diving even dry.

Sorry to sound like a noob but I am new to this stuff and don’t really understand it. I am not really looking at specific brands but if you could show some examples of different styles that would be great.

Thanks
james

I think you know the three main types of BC systems.. Jacket, Back, and BP/Wing. There are also some hybrids out there like the DiveRite Transpac. IMO if you add weight pockets to most BP/W systems you basically have all the components of a Back Inflate BC, and many even have stiff plates incorporated into the back area.

So when it comes down to it, how much different will a BP/W system be vs. a Back Inflate system? IMO not much. There are definately differences that DIR folk will bring up like failure points on shoulder straps of non BP/W BC's. However it would be interesting to find evidence that those are failure points as I've never heard of them failing

The important thing to consider when purchasing a BC is not what everyone else tells you is necessary, but rather what suits your diving. Comfort and fit is key. Having a huge amount of lift has disadvantages if one never needs it. Find a BC that you can dive well in (you should be comfortable, and have good trim), keep it maintained, and enjoy the diving. If you decide to go tech with doubles you can then go through the process again, and find the best solution for that type of diving which may not be anything near what you dive a single with.

 

[Diver Dennis]

Good link Frank. Thanks.