New Diver with BCD Question

[Viper12161]

Hi Everyone!

I'm a new diver and will be doing my open water Cert dives 8/10 and 8/17. I have been looking to get some of my own gear that I can use once I am certified. I already have a tank and regulator set that I got off a friend who no longer dives. (had them both checked and rebuilt by LDS) Unfortunately his BCD was too small for me. I have been looking around and trying on different ones and am going to go with a Sherwood AVID 700. Haven't really found too many reviews on it, but the ones I did find were positive. One thing that popped up for the BCD as an add on was a BC Accessory Kit. Kit comes with a couple of retractors (Light and gauge),knife and light. It says it's specifically for Sherwood BC's. My question is are retract clips really BC specific? Wasn't sure if I was better off just getting things individually, as I have found usually when you get kits, something is always lacking..in this case based on reviews it sounds like the light. Can I just get any type of retract or does it really need to be for Sherwood?

Thanks for any help!!!!!!!!

 

[Bob DBF]

I'd pass on the accessory kit unless you can get them to toss it into the deal for free. Buy what you need on your own schedule, a bundle is good if you need everything in it and it is the quality you want.


Bob

 

[caruso]

Don't know about retractors being specific to a BCD unless it has specific attachment points that line up with grommets on the BCD or something to that effect but I'll take the opportunity to provide my experience with retractors:

There are 2 types of divers who keep gear on a retractor, those that have lost gear and those who are going to lose gear.

Retractor strings and cables break, far easier than one might expect. After losing a dive computer mounted to a shoulder D-ring when the string broke as I was working my way along a tag line in a brisk current, the words of other divers cautioning against retractors finally sunk in. Now I only use a retractor for things that live inside a pocket, such as my compass and backup dive computer, or something that is attached a second way- such as my inflator hose (the retractor keeps it snug to my body) or to hold something cheap, in my case a carabiner that I can use as a tank banger if I need to get someone's attention.

 

[myshadeofred]

Take it from me don't get the first thing you think is cool or that a shop is trying to sell. Talk to other people, rent some and find out what you like. If you plan on traveling, you may want something stream lined and light, if you want a BCD with rings to attach gizmos, that is different. Where do you want your weights? Will you ever wear it with a dry suit? I hated my first BCD a lot and was so glad it was stolen so I got one I really wanted. Take your time, there is no need to rush. And you don't have to spend a fortune to get what you like.

 

[JackD342]

Sherwood BCDs have a couple of female quick connect attachment points built in. Takes a little effort to find a matching male connector, the kit saves you that effort.

 

[caruso]

Sherwood BCDs have a couple of female quick connect attachment points built in. Takes a little effort to find a matching male connector, the kit saves you that effort.

That's another problem with retractors- if they're attached via a strap to a quick disconnect clip you're going to start getting a lot of dangle that you don't really need, which makes the rig something less than tight and streamlined.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Take it from me don't get the first thing you think is cool or that a shop is trying to sell. Talk to other people, rent some and find out what you like. If you plan on traveling, you may want something stream lined and light, if you want a BCD with rings to attach gizmos, that is different. Where do you want your weights? Will you ever wear it with a dry suit? I hated my first BCD a lot and was so glad it was stolen so I got one I really wanted. Take your time, there is no need to rush. And you don't have to spend a fortune to get what you like.

I agree with this. I know you want to get your own gear soon because it is less money you have to spend on rentals and you want to be familiar and comfortable with your gear, because who doesn't? I get it. However, I found a lot of value in renting equipment, talking with other divers, seeing other people's configurations, and just diving with the gear in the water to get a feel of what I liked or didn't like. By the time I was ready to buy, I probably had 30-40 dives. I'm still diving the same equipment and gear years later and many dives later. I think if I had bought immediately after open water, I may not be in the same boat that I am right now and might have repurchased a new set or changed my mind about a few things. I know that the BC I was looking at soon after certification was really different from the one that I ended up getting.

 

[Viper12161]

Awesome!! Thanks for all the info everyone. All I really plan on using the retractor clip for is to hold my gauges close to my body so they aren't flopping around on me. On a side note, I ended up getting a different BCD. Was at my LDS where I am taking my lessons and they had an Aqualung Seaquest that I got a VERY good deal on. I think it will be just fine for starting out and I can upgrade later on down the line. This was $325 cheaper than the Sherwood which that was already a great deal.

 

[Bob DBF]

Sherwood BCDs have a couple of female quick connect attachment points built in. Takes a little effort to find a matching male connector, the kit saves you that effort.

I didn't know the BC had proprietary attachment points. Makes one wonder if they ever heard of D-rings. One thumbs down for proprietary solutions.


Bob

 

[JackD342]

Note two clips along the side just below the pocket zipper. The other side is the same, the quick connect is a good octo connection point. (There is a male end octo clip available) They have been putting this on most BCs for ages. Not really proprietary, just not a common practice. There are usually still D rings on the shoulders.