why would any one get a jacket BC

[MSilvia]

I hate to see people who are on a budget, spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars for gear that is inappropriate for the diving they do, or their skill level.

As to Matt’s specific question; I said, Jacket style SHOULD be superior, because of the task it SHOULD do. I didn’t say it was. There is all too much (I’m sorry, I can’t think of a more appropriate word right now) crap out in the market.

I absolutely agree Fred. The gear recreational divers are sold SHOULD be superior for the job, and it's a shame that it so often isn't. One of the reasons I'm such a big fan of my backplate is precisely that... rather than buy something expensive that should do the job well but quite possibly does not, I recommend buying something comparatively inexpensive that in my experience does the job extremely well.

If I could get a premium quality stove intended for professional chefs for less than I could get an electric range, should I avoid getting it just because it's suitable for someone with more demanding needs than I have? If it can cook a perfect flambe', it should be good enough for heating up a can of soup. Likewise, the same characteristics of a BP/Wing that makes it superior for technical diving also make it excellent for most recreational diving, and (also in my experience) I can get one set up exactly the way I want it for less than I'd expect to spend on a poorly designed but fashionable stabalizer jacket.

Both my recommendation to try each style before buying anything, and my endoresment of the backplate, are based on what I've observed and experienced, not on what I think SHOULD be the case.

 

[wardric]

I think it's more likely you are referring to a backPACK style with an integrated cam-band to hold the tank and the BC was usually a horse-collar style. That old backpack style can be used with backinflate and SeaTec (probably others) made a back-inflate 'wing' for that purpose.

you are correct. They were still in use but rarer.

 

[Xanthro]

One of the reasons I'm such a big fan of my backplate is precisely that... rather than buy something expensive that should do the job well but quite possibly does not, I recommend buying something comparatively inexpensive that in my experience does the job extremely well.

I see this idea postulated quite frequently that BP/W is much cheaper than buying a BCD. I just don't see this. Decent BCDs can be had for under $250, but I've never seen a suitable BP/W for that price.

BP/W often run over $500 depending on the wing.

I love my BP/W but price isn't the reason. BP/W are really only cheaper if you buy a BCD then buy a BP/W because you've spent money on gear you aren't using anymore.

 

[H2Andy]

it's going to be hard to get into a new Dive Rite bp/wings for under $500

there are quite a few good back-inflate BC's out there under $350

but then again, you get what you pay for

 

[rmannix]

I think everyone should dive with a jacket BC and just happen to have 2 that I'm willing to part with...

 

[Mandy3206]

I switched to BP 'cause I got tired of the squeeze at the surface, the loose feel when diving and poor D-ring placement.

When I got the BP, the squeeze went away, the tank felt rock solid and I put as many D-rings as I want, wherever I want.

I still keep my old Cressi Jacket Style Bc as a loaner for other divers, nor my BP or Trans Pack are for loaning.

Trans Pack was inherited from my brother when he retired from diving.

 

[dherbman]

I see this idea postulated quite frequently that BP/W is much cheaper than buying a BCD. I just don't see this. Decent BCDs can be had for under $250, but I've never seen a suitable BP/W for that price.

BP/W often run over $500 depending on the wing.

I love my BP/W but price isn't the reason. BP/W are really only cheaper if you buy a BCD then buy a BP/W because you've spent money on gear you aren't using anymore.

Perhaps the cost savings is over the lifetime. Some wings can have just the bladder replaced when they get old. When my Black Diamond gets old, I'm out $600-$700. Of course, I'll probably sell it this year....

 

[MSilvia]

I see this idea postulated quite frequently that BP/W is much cheaper than buying a BCD. I just don't see this. Decent BCDs can be had for under $250, but I've never seen a suitable BP/W for that price.

Good deals are out there. Hammerhead for example sells a nice plate with STA for $99. I got my Explorer wing for $250, but I've seen others for less. The ScubaL Maximus singles wing is $159 if I remember right, and the Oxycheck Singles wings run in the mid $200 range. That makes for a $250-350 BP/Wing system, which is cheaper than the $380 you'd spend on an Oceanic Probe. Sure, you can spend a lot more... off the shelf, a Halcyon plate and Explorer wing would run you almost $600, (only $100 more than a ScubaPro Classic Plus jacket), but if you were so inclined, you could shell out $900 on a BC.

If you wanted to, you could get an Aeris Atmos Sport BCD for $180, which I'll grant is cheaper than the cheapest BP/Wing I can find, but I think the difference in terms of what you get for the money is substantial.

 

[oly5050user]

I happen to own/use a dive rite trans pac w/rec wings-a aqualung malibu and sp stab jacket..no big deal on using jackets.I find that the people that complain about a squeeze either have the wrong size or wearing it too tight around the chest or are over weighted on their weight systems..jacket type is usually-not always-what I recommend for new divers.easier to control trim on surface and keeps them higher out of the water when inflated a bit on the surface..If you have to inflate these so much that you get a squeeze you have too much weight on..someone more experienced (for streamlining)or more comfortable in water or very large I usually suggest back inf. model.

 

[jeckyll]

I don't really think it matters what you dive as long as you know how to use it correctly.

I hated every BCD I ever tried. They rode up on me, squeezed me, shifted. Tried a BP/W and loved it.

Some people have quoted percentages for divers using BCD's vs. BP/W's. Maybe we're a special case up here, but I see way more people in BP/W's than in 'standard' BCD's. Just my observation.

Bjorn