BPW BCD Help

[KevinNM]

What's the difference between using a basic rental type dive computer that I can get for $200 new (or a nicer model used for $200) that tells me my no deco limit, safety stop timer, etc, versus a $600 dive computer.

Visibility. I found I could read the computer on the wrist of classmates 6 ft away better than the one on my wrist.

 

[ystrout]

Atomic Z2 (sealed version if they have it) will be a better choice.




What brands does your local dive center sell?

I'm not exactly sure. I'll get a reg there for sure, but I'm not spending too much on a computer. I've decided that this is the part I'm going cheap on just because rentals are so expensive and from what I've read everywhere, the basic models will keep you safe and work well. So that's all I'm looking for.

 

[Bubblesong]

I bought these:
Suunto Vyper Wrist Computer, Silver
The warranty is with The seller, for two years from purchase. The download cable is not included, but i am logging dives on paper. I spent some time reading the manual and practicing, and the only issue I’ve had is the buttons are hard to press, presumably so you don’t accidentally bump them while diving. If I ever upgrade to big screen, i will still wear this as my backup, in case one DC croaks in a dive, I won’t have to wait 24 hours to continue diving.

 

[CT-Rich]

Camaro wetsuits are pretty good for big guys. I am 6’7” and 220 and their XXXLT fits pretty well. The 5mm I bought last years. I bought a 3mm last years and except for the knee the things coming off it seems pretty good also. They are pretty inexpensive through Sierra Trading post. In someways I think buying a good used regulator would be a better way to save money. A quality reg will last virtually forever and plenty of people leave the sport after a few years, calculate the cost of service into the equation, look for a brand with a good reputaion.

I dive ScubaPro Night Hawk with no complaints.

 

[Neilwood]

Got it. Thanks.

Yaa I would like a nice one and I LOVE diving. But it's a cash now thing and I can't really afford the more expensive ones at the moment. Buying all this up front isn't cheap, but I'm doing it. And I need to get a new snowboard this summer for next season. And on top of all this, I'm trying to buy a house in summer.... Lol.

I'm firm set on getting a NEW, middle of the market regulator, BCD that fits very well, wetsuit under $300, and computer that just works and keeps me safe. They are $20 per day to rent, so renting 10 times will be more expensive than just buying a basic rental type computer. And I'll dive that much in a month or two. So I'll probably just go with a very basic model.

If cash is tight at the moment, buy a cheaper computer as opposed to renting. Once you have your own computer you can learn exactly how it works - take the time to do this so you know what the screen is telling you (ie if the NDL timer starts counting up while you are still swimming along at a reasonably fixed depth it is likely that you have exceeded your NDL and are counting up deco). The cheaper computers will do what they are meant to do but might not have some of the nicer features of the likes of a Perdix (colour screen, capability for mixed gases etc). I used a Cressi for a couple of years before deciding on a Perdix. Buy one that will upload to a computer or phone (it is helpful being able to look at your profiles on the likes of Subsurface). Just remember the cost of the cable when looking at the prices.

 

[EireDiver606]

Hi Everyone,

I asked about gear a month ago, but haven't pulled the trigger. I'm probably going to purchase a reg and some other gear at my dive shop Saturday during their Valentine's day sale. Either a Scubapro Mk11 or a Atomic Z2, a Large Tall wetsuit (if they have any that fit and are under $300), and a basic dive computer watch or a used one off this website if I can find any deals. I just need no-deco limits, nitrox mode, and depth. Nothing fancy.

But I want your help with the BCD. I either need a Zeagle custom fit BCD, or a BPW. I'm 6'5" and 200 pounds, so NO off the shelf BCDs fit me. I'm essentially a Medium waist and XL height. I guess I'm leaning towards the BPW for a few reasons. I can find used, I can post on this forum without being talked down to (just kidding, kind of ), and when the bladder wears out, I can replace instead of replacing the entire thing.

But I do have some questions.

1. Is one size fit all? I can't seem to find sizes for this type of BCD. Do you just configure the harness to fit your body type?
2. Is the metal back-plate uncomfortable? It looks horribly uncomfortable.... But everyone swears by them, so they can't be that bad...
3. Do I just need a harness, backplate, and bladder? Is there tons of little screws or other parts I need to worry about?
4. Would you trust buying a $300 setup from online? Should I look new? What would I expect to pay if I buy new? And any suggestions?
5. Can you help me understand the lift capacity? You know my weight. But I generally wear a 7mm wetsuit. How much lift capacity should I be looking for? There's a nice 23# bladder I see on the classifieds. Would that be enough lift?

Lastly, do any of you have any BPWs for sale? Direct message me so we don't clog up the post. Also, I'm interested in basic dive computers.

Thanks for the info everyone! I look forward to getting out there with my own stuff!

1 You have to configure it to your exact body shape. It can take awhile to weave the webbing to get it to perfectly fit you if you’ve never done it before. Watch a video online or get someone to help you.

2 Backplates are fine on the back. You will have to get a custom backplate or it will be too short and dig into your back. They’re not uncomfortable unless your wearing nothing and you have an STA bolted to the back. Honestly they’re fine, plus remember there’ll be at least a wetsuit between you and the backplate.

3. All you need is a harness, backplate and bladder. You can get complete setups to eliminate looking for scuba webbing, etc.

4. Buy new in my opinion but if I was buying my setup again, I would have looked for a second hand backplate as they can’t wear and tear, so you’re just saving money.

5. If you’re somewhere cold enough to require a 7mm wetsuit, I would get the 30lbs version if I were you. But take that with a grain of salt. You have to add the buoyancy of your wetsuit and the weight of your tank (I don’t know what that is for you) and add maybe 5 pounds. I dive in cold waters with a 7/5mm wetsuit and generally a 12L 232 bar or 15L 232 bar steel tank. I dive a 30 pound wing in the Atlantic and it’s fine but it’s a bit close in terms of holding me at the surface in rough weather. That’s why i will start using a lift bag in the future, just in case. But of course there’s always a drysuit....

About the computer. I’d recommend the Suunto Zoop or the Aqualung i100. They’re between 160€ and 200. They’re very cheap. I got a second hand Zoop for 99€ and I’m happy with it. Great quality for what you need. IMO you don’t need a big expensive computer like a Shearwater unless you’re doing (open circuit) technical diving, and even then, you should probably know your figures and write your limits on a slate and have a timer and your plan...

My advice would be to get a cheap computer for now because you don’t need anything fancy, and if you know you like the sport after a while, get whatever you want.

 

[EireDiver606]

I'm not exactly sure. I'll get a reg there for sure, but I'm not spending too much on a computer. I've decided that this is the part I'm going cheap on just because rentals are so expensive and from what I've read everywhere, the basic models will keep you safe and work well. So that's all I'm looking for.

Get an Apeks XTX 50 and XTX 50 octo

 

[decompression]

If I could outfit a diver with good kit and a good price this would be my list.....
DSS BPW ($500)
Deep 6 regs ($400)
DeepBlu Cosmiq Computer ($350)
DGX 600 Light ($60)

This gear is solid, bulletproof, performs well above average, is scalable and at a very good price.

Dive Gear Express® | Official Site

 

[dmaziuk]

I'm not exactly sure. I'll get a reg there for sure, but I'm not spending too much on a computer. I've decided that this is the part I'm going cheap on just because rentals are so expensive and from what I've read everywhere, the basic models will keep you safe and work well. So that's all I'm looking for.

The cheapest one ATM is a mares puck at $150. They come with the cheapest uplink cables, too.

Where it gets interesting is if your diving takes you into the grey area between "no stop" dive and mandatory decompression. Mares and Suunto err on the side of deco. Some people just don't go there. Some don't dive with scuba police and when their computer errs on the side of deco they just do the stop and don't tell anybody. Some will tell you that instead the computers that err on the side of "no stop" are the only way to fly. If you don't plan on pushing it in the next few of years, you needn't care. If you think you should care, the ones that err on the side of "no stop" cost $100+ more than the puck: oceanic, sherwood, genesis.

 

[Bierstadt]

1) I dive my DSS BP/W in a swimsuit without issue. I find it very comfortable, actually. For the OP's height, DSS is the way to go and at a good price.

2) Deep6 regs are high quality regs at a mid-quality price. They also include the first service for free, which is $150 by and of itself. I suggest the Signature regs, not the DGX version, for this reason. Otherwise the DGX regs are very similar. It is hard to find comparable quality used regs for better prices when you include the cost of having them serviced. But there are sometimes amazing deals from people out of the sport, if you can find them.

3) DC's : $150-$300: normal DC's, wrist mounted watch style or puck style, functional but nothing fancy. Most important thing is to get one with a) a user interface that makes sense to you, b) algorithm that works for your diving, and c) is on sale or at a good price. From there you add bells and whistles that make life more comfortable but are not necessary, until you hit Shearwaters at $850 or so that have deco algorithm control and can be used in tec diving. The best bells and whistles, imo, are color displays and air integration. For $350 you might want to take a look at the DeepBlu Cosmiq. When I was buying they had a problem with it being extremely conservative, but they may have adjusted it or you may not mind that. Conservative is good, until you are diving with people with less conservative dc's and then you are the limiting factor in the dive. Which can get tedious. Again, not sure if they have changed anything.

All my opinion, hope it helps.