Hmmmm.
Yeah.
Maybe.
Sometimes always.
Sure.
I've actually done so many dives with so many pieces of gear that I'm having to rethink my whole buying strategy.
You know, I like *this* about one rig, and *that* about another... The Classic's an awesome rig, that's for sure. I know there are some people say otherwise, but there are also many that agree, including Rodale's...
That said, I have liked and disliked so many different things from so many different rigs, and in the long run my body's learned to pretty much cope no matter what I wear. It's like I've stopped caring what I wear at all and am more into the dive now than ever.
But wanting to spend my dosh and buy my very own rig that's... Well... For nobody but me... I'm thinking of a new strategy for purchase. Rather than look around any more, trying to find out what on the market best suits me, I'm thinking that I'll instead make my own BCD... You know, take the very best of everything and put it all together.
I think I'm going to end up horrifying the DIR crowd. Maybe not. The clincher, of course, is that if I built my own rig from the ground up, it'd start with a backplate, and go from there. Why? Well... Because it's modular and I could build it.
So what am I talking about? FredT SS "light" for my warmwater dives, with 2" webbing in a DIR-style harness. 1" crotch strap. Lots of sewing, very little clips, rings, and stuff. Probably one or two actual usable pockets so I don't have to look like a Christmas tree any more. Haven't yet decided whether to put them on my wetsuit or on my harness, but since it's not as permanent and I don't use a canister light (not yet anyway) then I would probably opt for the Halcyon "hard" pocket on my harness. (You know, if I went that way and all.)
I still want a Vytec, with air integration, and I do like the concept of the Air II... And I've had great experiences using one. But to be perfectly honest, if I did go the wing route then I'd be "flipping the inflator hose" instead of pulling on it (no pull dump) and so I think I'd feel better using the inflator with a seperate octo. I'd like to get into wreck diving in the not too distant future, and I think I'd end up with a rig that could handle a long primary hose, similar to DIR, in that case, but would probably not want to swim with it all the time. Oh yeah... And I told myself last time that I would not dive without ditchable weight. I can't stand weight belts, so I'm kickin' around the idea of weight pockets of some sort, tucked away in back (where the right trim is anyway.) I wouldn't wear much weight, but I'd need a little in salt water, and like I said, it has to be ditchable.
My experience is that back inflates of any kind are somewhat picky on weight placement, but I think I could trim my rig well in just a dive or two. Then it'd no longer be an issue, and I'd still have the modular rig with less on the front.
I dunno. I guess I'm just thinkin' out loud here. But I am definitely thinking about a FredT...
I'll bet you I know what happens from here... I'll bet I buy both, and wear them each during certain dives...
...Then I bet I start to favor one over the other.
I think I need a long term test with each.
Hey, shameless plug for the new Scuba Club that I put together here at the University of South Carolina... First meeting's on the 22nd (next Sunday) and it's looking like there's going to be thirty or fourty people there. Holy smokes!
Anyone interested in attending is more than welcome.
We could use the expert advice, the experienced diver, and even the newbie just looking to hang out with some really cool people. The University's donated more than $3500 and thier boat for diving... Can you say, "Free dives?" I'm pumped.
I even started the website already... And yes, there's going to be a big, fat link to Scubaboard, an awesome resource for information, even if I still make fun of DIR guys.
I do feel like I'm being assimilated, though.
Funny how that works, isn't it?
Here's the link:
http://www.USCBscuba.com
