Which BC for less than $300??

[BPaith]

I do NOT want a BP/Wing at the moment, I want just your typical BC. Looking to spend around $300, maybe slightly more, slightly less.....

Can you all provide recommendations as to what's the "best bang" for the dollar? Here are a few that I am looking at.

Cressi Aquapro 5
Cressi Aquapro 5 BCD | LeisurePro

Cressi Travelight
Cressi Travelight BCD | LeisurePro

Aeris 5 Oceans
Aeris 5 Oceans Buoyancy Compensator | LeisurePro

Oceanic Islander
Oceanic Islander BC, Black/Blue | LeisurePro

Tusa Platina Evolution
Tusa Platina Evolution BCD, Black (BCJ-3860) | LeisurePro

If you know of others that you like better and are slightly more $$, please link them!!!

 

[easy]

I have an Oceanic Islander 2 for $250. Great BC. My dad used it for about 20 dives over the last year. Great condition. Located in Birmingham, AL.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

You may want to consider, for about $200, the closeout sale on these no-frills Mares BC's:

Mares Rover BC | LeisurePro

I have similar (but older model) Mares BC. Construction is good, does what it is supposed to. You'll need a weight belt.... which I prefer over weight-integrated BC's anyway. It is "jacket" style, meaning that the buoyancy is split between the back and lower sides. The BC I'm wearing in my avatar picture is a Mares jacket BC.

But, I now use a BP/W (sorry, I know you don't want to buy BP/W, but full disclosure requires I divulge that fact ).

But the Mares BC is cheap enough that you'll be able to upgrade to a BP/W (for about $350 - 400) when you are ready .

http://www.diverightinscuba.com/catalog/techequipmentpackages-hoggear-singlespackage-p-2726.html



Best wishes.

 

[BPaith]

let me try this, is a BP/W recommended for beginners? I am about to do my check-out dives Sept 27/28/29 and would like to have my own BC for this....

 

[diversteve]

First of all, I have an admitted bias for back-inflate models. So of the 5 on the list, I like the Aeris the best. Iit has the most lift and is of the heaviest material. If there's one thing I don't like, it doesn't appear to have a right shoulder dump, all the others do. Of course neither does my BC and I do fine.

I like the Oceanic less even though it's also a back-inflate. Mostly because of the 16 loops instead of metal d-rings. I'd wonder about long term durability since you're often snapping things on/off like lights etc. If you do go with it, always buy locking carabiners like those included since non-locking gate caribiners can snag line etc. It also has smaller weight capacity (14) than some of the others. Although you can add 10# in the trim pockets if needed. It also only has 30# lift in the larger sizes, 26 in the smaller sizes. It's trying to be a travel BC.

The Cressi Travellight is just that. It has by far the lightest denier fabric to save weight. If you want a travel only BC, you may find there are better choices for comparable money like an Aqualung Zuma or the Aeris Ex Lite

I couldn't pick between the Cressi Aquapro or the Tusa. What dealers are in your area? At least occasionally it will need service and things break. So it might be better to be able to get that done locally. I'm not a huge fan of the plastic backplate on the Cressi either, if it cracks after some exposure that could affect tank stability.

For $40 more you might consider: Oceanic Excursion BC Black | LeisurePro Except for the slightly unusual inflator I can't see anything I don't like about it.

 

[BPaith]

Oooo, I do like that Excursion.

 

[Craig66]

let me try this, is a BP/W recommended for beginners? I am about to do my check-out dives Sept 27/28/29 and would like to have my own BC for this....

I dove a jacket for my pool lessons and hated it. Dived a BP/W from my very first cert dives and over 300 dives later I love it as much as the first time I used it. It is a very freeing feeling. I personally believe it allows one to master their buoyancy a little earlier and easier.

It is absolutely untrue that it I not for beginners. They also offer a value that I do not believe jackets offer with the ability to replace only a used part.

Dive right in has some great combos and DSS seems to offer great service as well although I don't know that they can bring you in under $300.

---------- Post added August 20th, 2013 at 12:29 AM ----------

Corrections: dive right in scuba has a package BP/W for $379. A little more than your $300 but long term might be a savings on going with a cheaper jacket.

---------- Post added August 20th, 2013 at 12:31 AM ----------

http://www.diverightinscuba.com/catalog/techequipmentpackages-drisdivegear-28lbbpwsystem-p-3070.html

 

[CT Sean]

BP/W for exactly what you want to spend: Dive Rite Travel EXP Package - Northeast Scuba Supply Store

You will want to assess whether a 27lb wing meets your buoyancy requirements. If not you can always call and see if they'll substitute one of Dive Rite's larger wings.

The Excursion looks pretty and I'm sure some people love it but, having had an extremely similar Aeris version, I can say that it's bulky as hell. It's the opposite of one of the reasons people switch to a BP/W - the minimalism.

 

[dfx]

I have a Genesis Omni. Love it and can't beat the price. Genesis Omni BCD Black | LeisurePro

 

[oly5050user]

You can get a ScubaPro Litehawk with a standard inflator for $359. from a LDS..back inflation.