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Buoyancy Compensators (BC's) and Weight SystemsPoint your weighty "BC" questions and input here. Tell others what you use and what you do and don't like about it etc...
Just a quick update. We have the BARE Blackwing Video review just out of production and will be available at the end of next week. You're welcome to view the BARE Blackjack review which demonstrates some of the features BARE has integrated into their BC. If you have any questions PM me.
Looking at a Bare Blackwing... Anybody have one?
Strapped it on today and was impressed with the padding/comfort..
I'll dive it with a Fusion...
I assume you mean you tried it on in a dive shop. That should tell you a lot about it as long as you're diving on dry land in street clothes. Too bad actual diving is underwater where you are neutrally buoyant and wearing neoprene.
I assume you mean you tried it on in a dive shop. That should tell you a lot about it as long as you're diving on dry land in street clothes. Too bad actual diving is underwater where you are neutrally buoyant and wearing neoprene.
Underwhelming support.
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Submerge in warm water only
Oly C-8080, PT023, Inon Z240
"The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money" -Margaret Thatcher.
Just a quick update. We have the BARE Blackwing Video review just out of production and will be available at the end of next week. You're welcome to view the BARE Blackjack review which demonstrates some of the features BARE has integrated into their BC. If you have any questions PM me.
Nice try but it really comes up short for information. How many cam bands? It was had to tell in all of the black. What's under there for support? Is a plastic pack embedded or padding or what? It might get me into a store but I wouldn't place an order based on the video. Food for thought in future efforts. IMO the real value is to be able to pan and demonstrate.
Pete
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My ever growing collection of assorted ramblings on scuba topics can be read here.
No sequence of classes will make a good diver out of you, if you aren't actively diving and practicing in the meantime.
TSandM
Thanks for the feedback and the wonderful advice. We took a different approach to producing our video reviews. I believe a picture is worth a thousand words and video is even better. It was our hope that a combination of a video and product details in text form would help a new diver get a better understanding of the product. IMHO, I think when you combine the two medias together you get a good picture of what the product has to offer. But the best way for a diver to make a decision is for them to go to their local dive store and touch and feel the product they're considering to purchase. We have several dive professional on staff very willing to assist. You can learn more about ScubaBasics here.
To answer some of your product information questions about the Blackwing's features.
Bladder material: 12 Mil Clear Virgin Polyurethane
Main body/pockets and shoulder straps: 1000 Denier Cordura with 1.5 oz/square yard Polyurethane
Pocket trim: 1680 Denier Nylon
Wing buoyancy: 48 lbs/21.7 kg
Main releasable weight pockets: 15 lbs/6.8 kg maximum each
Supplemental weight/accessory pockets with 1" side release buckle hold 10 lbs each
Fully padded hard-back pack with carrying handle
Tank height adjustment strap: 1" nylon webbing with Ladderlock adjustment
Standard tank band and Steel/Delrin cam buckle can be replaced with all steel upgrade by dealer or consumer
Cummerbund: Size adjustable padded nylon cummerbund with 2" centre-pull side release buckle. Small zippered pocket at centre for car keys, C card. Also includes nickel/brass grommet for accessory attachment
Main shoulder strap adjustment buckle: 1.5" side release buckles with extended thumb ledge for easy loosening adjustment
D-Rings: 4 on shoulder straps (welded pre-bent sandblasted stainless steel). 4 on hips
(welded sandblasted stainless steel)
Cargo holders on hips: 2 x 1.5" side release buckles
Inflation: Corrugated rubber oral inflation (hose is neoprene rubber)
Auto-inflate choice of basic or premium inflator, or breathable inflator. Inflation system equipped with cable dump for rapid exhaust
Pull dump: One at right hip. Pull dump toggles are high contrast light charcoal color "T" handles for good visibility and easy location
Weight quick dump system: 15 lbs/6.8 kg per side, Velcro closure with high contrast light charcoal color "T" handles for good visibility and easy location
Chest strap: 1" nylon with centre-pull side release buckle. Unique system allows easy strap location adjustment to avoid drysuit valve on chest
Accessory attachment grommets: Nickel plated brass - four on left pocket for knife or other accessory attachment, one on right pocket for retractable lanyard installation
Once again thanks for all your advice, we'll continue to work hard to provide better service and product. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. I can be reached at 1-877-597-2822 (Ask for William) or PM here. Have a great day and remember to dive safe!
Thanks for the post Scubabasics, however this is more of a visual product marketing description that a product review. On a positive note, it was nice to get the detailed specs on that BC, however, I think the readers of this post were looking more for a true review of how it performed and the likes/dislikes of the product as it would be experienced by someone using the product "in the field."
I assume you mean you tried it on in a dive shop. That should tell you a lot about it as long as you're diving on dry land in street clothes. Too bad actual diving is underwater where you are neutrally buoyant and wearing neoprene.
Mattboy..
Thanks for that. In my 36 years of on and off diving I would have never thought of that. You are truly brilliant.
I have a Bare Blackwing and it is wayyyy better than any jacket style that i have ever tried..
Boyancy comes much easier with a back inflate, for me cause there is no roll over.
The features include: Weight integrated pockets that have a quick release and a velcro enclosure for extra security, lots of d-rings for added attachments, good size pockets wich have easy access....zipper pocket on cumber bun for keys ect, large thumb rings to secure the shoulder straps, and a right hip air dump.... and an extra feature is the extra tank ballast weight pockets, it also has a very responsive power inflator, over all this is an awsome bc, well worth the money... I never had a problem with going face foreward on the surface, anybody who does is way over inflating it..
Linear Mode
