Dave Bevan
Contributor
I should also mention I'm only talking about small adjustments like one or two inchs. Still enough going between Drysuit, Wetsuit or Boardshorts.
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
Hello all!
New to the board, but hoping to become more active!
Since you're a poor college student, if it were me, I would get:
$70 - BR SS BP
$12 - XS Scuba buckle
$40 - 2 x DGX SP-style tank straps
$12 - 15' 2" webbing (from DGX)
$19 - 2" Dive Rite crotch strap (from DGX)
$10 - approximately, for D-rings and tri-slides (from DGX)*
$20 - 2 x DGX trim weight pouches
That's $183 for a complete SS BP and harness, ready to dive (including tank straps and weight pouches). With a harness that is a lot nicer than the basic standard harnesses that come in most any package deal. If you're comparison shopping, take out the tank straps and weight pouches and that's a complete SS BP with harness for $123!
$300 for a Hog 32# wing from DRiS and you're all set for single tank. For under $500. If you were going to using it for warmer water, without the drysuit and all that weight, I would suggest the DGX Gears 25# wing, for $200, but I don't think it's enough lift for what you described.
Then just watch the Classifieds, eBay, and maybe even look for Christmas sales and pick up a doubles wing.
*I would get rigid and/or bent D-rings for waist and chest, like these:
https://www.divegearexpress.com/d-ring-w-bend-2-in-51-cm-s-s
https://www.divegearexpress.com/rigid-d-ring-w-bend-on-slide-s-s
https://www.divegearexpress.com/rigid-d-ring-perpendicular-on-slide-s-s
They are a lot nicer when trying to clip stuff on when you can't see, compared to normal floppy D-rings.
As a fully recreational diver, I'm at the point where I'm diving just frequently enough that I can probably justify getting my own BCD as opposed to renting (living in Central Texas, there aren't many easily-accessible dive sites nearby!). I'm not looking to break the bank, I don't need a BCD chock full of features, but just a good, reliable BCD that I can travel with and be comfortable knowing is my own. If we assume I dive 10 days a year, and I'm paying $10/day to rent a BCD, that's $100/year spent on rental equipment. While just having something as my own and knowing how it operates is worth something to me, the ability to eventually recover the cost of the BCD by foregoing rental fees over the course of 5+ years of ownership.
Cameron, I got a BP/W from the very beginning. I hated the squeeze of the jacket style. I did my OW pool work mostly in my bpw as well as my OW dives. There's no reason to NOT get one from the get go.
The crotch strap makes it much more comfortable and stable. Doesn't ride up like the jacket style does. Plus you don't have to tighten it down like you may have to with a jacket style to keep it from riding up due to the crotch strap. I'm very happy.
Welcome!!
A BP/W would be an excellent choice for you.
I just posted this in another thread, saw your post and thought you could use the same info.
For reference, DGX is Dive Gear Express, per some of the links at the bottom of that.
The XS Scuba buckle mentioned is here:
https://www.amazon.com/XS-Scuba-Clear-Path-Buckle/dp/B007ZVZKIE
The BR backplate is here:
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Reef-Stainless-Steel-Plate/dp/B00IOD158G
I have the BR BP and like it. I have 3 BPs and I have the XS Scuba buckle on all of them plus on my weight belt. It is a really nice buckle.
And, per my comment in that quote, if you're just diving in a wetsuit in warm water, the DGX Gears wing, with 25# lift is probably plenty for you and is only $199. For my warm water single tank diving, I use a Hog 23# wing (which I caught on sale from DRiS for even less than the Gears wing) and it is great.
I assume you already own a regulator and computer?
There should be enough dive shops in Austin for you to find a BP/W to try. You have Lake Travis nearby.
If you buy a BP/W as pieces parts, there are several web pages with good instructions on how to put it all together.
Hogarthian Harness Assembly Instructions | Dive Gear Express®
Instructions
DIR-diver.com - Adjust the backplate
It's not hard at all and if you're going to dive with one, I think it's a great idea to set your own up from scratch first, so you really know how it all goes together and won't be too intimidated to adjust it yourself to achieve the ultimate great fit.