tmcfarla
New
Hi all, I am about to buy my first bcd and have narrowed down my choice to the zeagle express tech or a hog 32 bp/w set-up and am looking for help deciding between the two. In the past I've rented vest style bcds and don't much like them. I will be doing single-tank, open water recreational diving only for the foreseeable future (no interest in wrecks and want a LOT more experience before even thinking about caves). I can't try either of these on locally.
I currently live in Hawaii but will be moving to Seattle in about 6 months, and I want something that will work in both places. I currently use a 3mm shortie but will likely invest in a the cheapest, ugliest, most beat-up drysuit I can find upon moving to Seattle. I probably won't be doing much in the way of traveling with gear, maybe once in a while, my attraction to the travel harness is that it is inexpensive and basic, as opposed to it being travel-friendly.
Will the zeagle provide enough lift (only 24 pounds of lift) for cold water diving? I am pretty lean: 5'11'' and 145 pounds. I understand that I can always buy an additional wing, but that effectively doubles the price so I'd like to stick with only one wing. If I go with the hog 32 with backplate, will a steel or aluminum backplate be better suited for moving between warm and cold water? My understanding is that the steel provides better stability but I worry that the additional 4 pounds of weight may be too much for warm water diving. I have read enough to know that both of these are well liked, but if anyone has experience with both I would certainly appreciate feedback on the advantages of each.
Thank you!
I currently live in Hawaii but will be moving to Seattle in about 6 months, and I want something that will work in both places. I currently use a 3mm shortie but will likely invest in a the cheapest, ugliest, most beat-up drysuit I can find upon moving to Seattle. I probably won't be doing much in the way of traveling with gear, maybe once in a while, my attraction to the travel harness is that it is inexpensive and basic, as opposed to it being travel-friendly.
Will the zeagle provide enough lift (only 24 pounds of lift) for cold water diving? I am pretty lean: 5'11'' and 145 pounds. I understand that I can always buy an additional wing, but that effectively doubles the price so I'd like to stick with only one wing. If I go with the hog 32 with backplate, will a steel or aluminum backplate be better suited for moving between warm and cold water? My understanding is that the steel provides better stability but I worry that the additional 4 pounds of weight may be too much for warm water diving. I have read enough to know that both of these are well liked, but if anyone has experience with both I would certainly appreciate feedback on the advantages of each.
Thank you!
. The Express Tech can be set up with weight pouches on the cam band to mimic a BPW as far as weighting goes and it works but I still prefer the BPW for stablility with heavy steel tanks like single LP95's when diving dry. The Express Tech will save you some money over a BPW but not that much. And if you should decide to go to doubles at some point you'll be that far ahead with the plate. PM to see what a HOG set up can run you.
