why would any one get a jacket BC

[Web Monkey]

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.

I already own one and like it.

It's just a bag. All it has to do is hold air when you want it, let it out when you don't and give you a place to mount your tank and carry stuff.

Maybe I'll switch when it wears out, maybe not.

Terry

 

[MSilvia]

All it has to do is hold air when you want it, let it out when you don't and give you a place to mount your tank and carry stuff.

Maybe I should just throw a cam band on my lift bag and use that.

Just kidding, but I think it's obvious that not all BCs are created equal, and what you decide to use can make a difference in how much you enjoy diving.

 

[StSomewhere]

I see many people talk about the negative points of jacket style, my question is why would any one buy or need one.

I bought a jacket BCD because I didn't know any better at the time. Expensive mistake.

 

[Xanthro]

Nothing inherently wrong with a Jacket style. Some people find comfort in the wrap around feeling, and it allows them to better judge how much air is in the bladder.

I cannot maintain trim in a jacket style as they throw my balance way off, and I hate the squeeze. However, those are personal issues that not everyone experiences.

I started with a back inflate which was really a soft plate with an attached wing, and now dive a BP/W. I went BP/W because I found it more stable for my build, but that doesn't mean everyone will feel the same.

I'd suggest than people give a BP/W a try, they may find it aids their diving, but that doesn't mean a jacket style can never be the better choice for someone.

 

[dherbman]

Maybe I should just throw a cam band on my lift bag and use that.

Just kidding, but what you use can make a difference.

I think that a person actually has to give a damn. It seems that most are content to be what they are. That's fine and bothers me naught.

 

[Nemrod]

Once upon a time we used no BC, then hosecollars came out on the scene. Then wings and jackets appeared but wings were BAD because they float you face down and jackets inspired by the ScubaPro Stabilizing jacket BC took supreme command. Early jackets had a BP inside of them, some like the ScubaPro did not. All the macho divers had the Scubapro vests. It was the e-ticket. Now here we are in the 21st century and BP/wings are the e-ticket and vest/jackets are out and horsecollars are exceedingly rare (though very efficient and streamlined and simple with some obvious safety advantages) and everyone argues over which is best. This board I have discovered is not representative of the real world. Most divers, probably 98% use a jacket/vest type BC. I either use no BC or a horsecollar or a wing since I have been using a BP for some near 40 years. Get what you like, simple is better than guady and gosh. Get something that looks like quality and has a good reputation and backing. BCs get tons of abuse no matter what kind it is and so it must be rugged. There is a thread about a Halycon leaking through the fabric after ten dives---that obviously is an inferior design since my wing has hundreds of dives on it alone and does not leak. If you get a jacket now and decide you want a BP, really, so you spend some more money, who cares, the evil empire and the IRS is going to get it all anyways. N

 

[NadMat]

What happened to "where's the love?" :huh:

I for one could care less what you want to dive, and if it works for you I think that's just swell. Still, if anyone asks, I'll be happy to tell them why I dive what I do and not what you do. My preferences don't make you wrong.

Out of context... your forgot to quote the j/k.

And telling them why you prefer what you use vs what I use is great, unless your why is 'because jackets suck' .... however 'because for me, jackets suck' is entirely acceptable, especially when you provide specifics as to why you think so. This will let a newbie get some facts to consider before dropping substantial amount of his or her disposable income on equipment that may or may not suit them.
But have had enough of someone who has been diving for a year or so coming over to me at dive site and 'evaluating' my gear setup and critisizing (sp?) it because it is not what he (used 'he' rather than 'they' because is almost always a guy) uses.

And the .... maybe after the j/k was because I am so very tempted to keep the jerk out of the water for at least that dive, or force him to forego his wing and use a loaner jacket in order to dive. :bigun2:

 

[dherbman]

All the macho divers had the Scubapro vests.

Hey, I was a macho diver and had an At-Pac (BP/W)!

 

[MSilvia]

Out of context...

I know... it was neither called for nor intended seriously.

This will let a newbie get some facts to consider before dropping substantial amount of his or her disposable income on equipment that may or may not suit them.

That's why I try to give examples rather than blanket statements. Discussions like "Yours stinks." "No, yours stinks." "Yeah, well... yours stinks worse!" aren't going to help anyone make a decision.

But have had enough of someone who has been diving for a year or so coming over to me at dive site and 'evaluating' my gear setup and critisizing (sp?) it because it is not what he (used 'he' rather than 'they' because is almost always a guy) uses.

I love those guys... endless opportunities for entertainment there. In my experience, they haven't formed their own opinions yet, but do a great job of regurgitating what they were taught. Make a game out of it... play "guess who instructed that guy".

 

[NadMat]

I love those guys... endless opportunities for entertainment there. In my experience, they haven't formed their own opinions yet, but do a great job of regurgitating what they were taught. Make a game out of it... play "guess who instructed that guy".

:yelclap: Love that suggestion, turn a negative to a positive.

Funniest experience I had with on of 'those' guys, was one giving me all kind of grief while waiting on couple of friends to show up with their boats to go dive Stearns island in Lake Travis with a group of divers, some I knew and some I didn't. Turned out he was part of the 'group'. Told my buds with boats that whatever boat he was on, I was riding on other one, and why. Him and his buddy got to do a shore dive at Mansfield that day since both my buds then refused to let him board.