mictrik
Contributor
I really do not believe that the Scubapro Stabilizer jacket should placed in the same group as other jacket BC's. The Stabilizer jacket is a different animal, it is non-adjustable and very thin being essentially a sealed bladder, the older ones especially. The Stabilizer jacket allows for air to travel around the shoulder area, back and sides of the bladder. This ensures that the air bubble is always centered in the most stable position, hence the term Stabilizer jacket. Typically speaking, if you are not fat the Stabilizer jacket is extremely simple and the most streamlined with the exception of just a backpack and no BC. If you weight yourself as if you were not going to use a BC then you will be very slightly negative to neutral at the surface when fully deflated. As you descend you will increase your negativity (smiling will not likely help) and you may find the need for a very small amount of air in the BC. The BC will bring you to neutral without any noticeable increase in volume, that is, it will not bulge with air at all. If you achieve this, which is simple to do then you are properly weighted and will be more streamlined than any BP/Wings I have used or seen; one exception may be if you are using an enclosed bladder for streamlining. I have not seen anyone use such an enclosing device in 25 years.
Now for the majority of diving situations I choose a Stab jacket as stated above. Sometimes I just use a Backpack with no BC as I do not feel like washing out the BC. However the BC is an important safety device and i feel it is warranted in most situations.
The BP/Wings really come into it's own when you are using tools and being relatively stationary. I love the uncluttered front and the ability to place tools in good view and easy access. The BP/Wings will push the diver forward on the surface if it is not setup right or over inflated. The Stab Jacket is by far the most comfortable & stable BC on the surface and if god forbid a boat left while I was in the water I would be much happier in my Stab jacket.
So for me it really depends what I want to accomplish. I love the Stab jacket and the BP/wings. I am essentially a minimalist so more often throw the jacket on and jump in the water. No adjustments, no fiddling just jump in. Most of my dives are site seeing now days. Now if the object of the dive was to remove a porthole, then I would prefer the wings. The BP straps have plenty of room for hooks and clips etc... Plus, the BP/wing is often easier to config for two tanks if you are going to be working on something a while. Though you can screw duel tank clamps into the backpack of a stab jacket.
I don't use adjustable jackets and sold my last one many years ago, it was a Seaquest ADVI; what nice adjustable backpack it came with...
Now for the majority of diving situations I choose a Stab jacket as stated above. Sometimes I just use a Backpack with no BC as I do not feel like washing out the BC. However the BC is an important safety device and i feel it is warranted in most situations.
The BP/Wings really come into it's own when you are using tools and being relatively stationary. I love the uncluttered front and the ability to place tools in good view and easy access. The BP/Wings will push the diver forward on the surface if it is not setup right or over inflated. The Stab Jacket is by far the most comfortable & stable BC on the surface and if god forbid a boat left while I was in the water I would be much happier in my Stab jacket.
So for me it really depends what I want to accomplish. I love the Stab jacket and the BP/wings. I am essentially a minimalist so more often throw the jacket on and jump in the water. No adjustments, no fiddling just jump in. Most of my dives are site seeing now days. Now if the object of the dive was to remove a porthole, then I would prefer the wings. The BP straps have plenty of room for hooks and clips etc... Plus, the BP/wing is often easier to config for two tanks if you are going to be working on something a while. Though you can screw duel tank clamps into the backpack of a stab jacket.
I don't use adjustable jackets and sold my last one many years ago, it was a Seaquest ADVI; what nice adjustable backpack it came with...