New Diver Looking for best BC

[Carlos Danger]

i would like to know what the real difference is in between all the different type like how each performs.

Jacket style BC's will usually float you in an upright position on the surface, but are generally more bulky with higher inherent buoyancy. Back inflation style systems are generally less bulky with more efficient performance at depth. In my opinion, back inflation is really the only way to go.

 

[Minion_Diver]

Never used a Back Inflation BC. how much different are they to adapt to versus the jacket? and if you dont mind me asking what kind of diving have you done with a back inflate BC?

 

[The Chairman]

I got through OW with a jacket style BC and went to an OMS IQ system on my first AOW checkout dive. I never went back and love the effortless horizontal trim you can get with a back inflate.

 

[DevonDiver]

how much different are they to adapt to versus the jacket?

Very easy to adapt to. Most divers using a rear-inflate BCD or BP&W will identify that they offer superior trim and more instinctive horizontal position in the water. They also feel less cumbersome and 'restrictive'. BP&W tend to also offer greater control and less 'waggle' and 'flopping around' as the diver moves around.

A jacket-style 'back inflate' (aka 'hybrid' BCD) is basically a regular BCD, but with the air compartment at the rear of the diver, rather than wrapped around their torso.

The rear air compartment is also commonly refered to as a 'wing'.

Many experienced divers now favour a 'backplate and wing' style BCD. This is a modular system, that is easy to customize to a divers specific preferences. It consists of a harness, a metal or plastic backplate (to which the harness attaches) and a wing style air bladder. The system usually also incorporates a 'crotch strap' to further comfort and security

Jacket BCD

Hybrid (Rear Inflate) BCD

Backplate and Wing (BP&W)

and if you dont mind me asking what kind of diving have you done with a back inflate BC?

I use the Halcyon Eclipse BP&W for recreational diving. For technical diving, I change the wing/bladder for a larger one (Halcyon Evolve) suitable for twin-tanks /doubles.

I use the BP&W for teaching scuba courses, wreck diving, deep diving, underwater photography etc. I use it for boat diving in the sea and shore diving in salt and fresh water. Approx 2500 dives with this system.

 

[Stu S.]

Look for a BC with two tank straps. I had a cheap BC that had only one and it let loose. I bought Avid as it has two. Unlike most jackets, as it is more of a "back and kidneys inflate" design. It is easy to use.

It has held up well. The pockets are of little use. Here we are mostly 3mm suit divers. After five years there's been no reaon to consider anything else.

 

[Downing]

I have read the stuff on the Zeagle Express Tech and i like what i have read. I want a BC that is going to be the best for an entry level diver like myself and will be able to accommodate my needs and i progress in scuba diving. I plan on getting my AOW this next year and i also want to do some NC wreck diving as well. and from the pic on Zeagle website i dont like how the straps are on the BC. it may be different once i see it but as of right now i dont have anyplace that i can go to and see the BC.

Jim Lapenta offered to show you his or did you miss that?

You really should consider taking him up on his offer. Buying your first BC can be difficult as there are just so many choices out there. Getting some no strings attached attention from someone who knows his stuff is invaluable.

Or you can buy a jacket, then buy a Tech Express or a BP&W in a couple of years, ahem.

 

[Minion_Diver]

yea im taking him up on his offer. im going to be out of the area for christmas break but once i come back up to the area for school im going to hit him up on his offer.

 

[fnfalman]

If you prefer to be comfortable floating on the surface, then it's really hard to beat a jacket BC with wrap-around air bladder (typically available at training centers). If you prefer for better underwater performance, then go with a back-inflate. Like others have said, it aids in keeping you horizontal...unless you like to be vertical underwater as well, then the wrap-around BC is probably better.

I went from wrap-around BC in training directly to back-inflate that I purchased right after OW class. I haven't gone back to the wrap-around once earlier this year because I didn't have my BC available. It was workable but unpleasant. Unpleasant in the feel because I hate the squeeze of the air bladders against my body. Unpleasant in the dive because I had a hard time maintaining my trim.

I still had three decent dives, but it wasn't as nice as it would have been with a back-inflate BC, especially my own back-inflate BC.

That's my experience with wrap-around versus back-inflate BC.

 

[Minion_Diver]

i think that i am going to go with a back inflate. im going to buy a used jacket BC just to have as a backup and to use right now so i can save up more money to buy a back inflate. I was looking at the Zeagle Scout has anyone heard of it or has used it?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

As much as I am a fan of having your own gear I need to say that if one is on a budget it is better to rent. Unless you plan on doing a lot of diving right now. Then by all means pull the trigger on a used BC. The scout is a good BC. It is a back inflate and it's around the same price as an Express Tech. It does not have as many how shall I say "options" available as the Express. It is marketed by Zeagle as a travel BC. It has a limited weight capacity which is no biggie unless you need more than 20lbs. The placement of the drings is an issue for me. The shoulder ones are ok but I prefer to have one or two on the waist as opposed to hanging on the bottom. Makes it easier FOR ME to clip off an SPG or console, light, camera, etc. I don't see a need for a sternum strap either. The thing is if you decide to move into other areas of diving it may limit you. It will not be adaptable for doubles as the Express would be. I am not sure that you could get a larger wing as well but not sure. NetDoc has adapted his ET for sidemount even. The Scout is IMO a great travel, warm water, or even entry level BC. I could see using it for students if it were not for me liking the fact that I can adjust my Express in about two minutes to use without a suit, with a 3 mil ,5 mil, or even drysuit. Then take it off and in about the same amount of time fit it to a person half or even twice my size. That is the key is that you can fit it to you. You don't have to try to figure out if a small, med, large, or extra large is what you need. The ET is all of them.