Hello all,
So I decided to use this winter to do some research on my first BCD (in the broad sense of the term) and therefore I come for some advice on a system that would hopefully be fairly polyvalent. I would rather put some money in one good quality system that can do a bit of everything than split my budget for 2 different systems. The buy would happen in spring.
A bit of context:
Budget:
Me:
Dive type:
System:
My researches’ results:
the SP Seahawk 2.0
the SP Hydropros (second hand)
the Mares XR (aluminum plate + weight pocket)
I kinda like the DIY side of the BP/W but I didn’t find any other BP/W system with right side butt dump (Anything I should be aware of before thinking of going that way without experience?).
My goal here isn’t to start a BP/W vs BCD talk. But more to have feedback on the system mentioned and maybe some suggestions regarding systems I might not be aware of. For example, other wings with right butt dumps.
I would also be interested if any system would offer right side inflator (or if it’s possible to swap with the right shoulder dump on a BCD).
Thank you for everybody who read all of it.
Safe dive.
So I decided to use this winter to do some research on my first BCD (in the broad sense of the term) and therefore I come for some advice on a system that would hopefully be fairly polyvalent. I would rather put some money in one good quality system that can do a bit of everything than split my budget for 2 different systems. The buy would happen in spring.
A bit of context:
Budget:
- 500euros
- Not against second hand
Me:
- Rec diver, not planning to go tek
- I live in Europe (with European prices! and 20% taxes + shipping if I import from the US)
Dive type:
- Single tank
- Diving cold water at home (7mil+hood/glove and planning on learning dry suit)
- Traveling to friendlier water (20 to 25 Celsius) fairly often
System:
- After trying jacket and wing BCD (no backplate) I think I like wing style better.
- I would like a system that is fairly polyvalent so I can travel and dive at home which would mean diving it with light wet suit, thick wet suit and hopefully dry suit.
- I need a right-side butt dump
My researches’ results:
the SP Seahawk 2.0
- I like: the dump weight design, why not having some pockets, the weight of the bcd
- I don’t like: The lack of modularity (if something cracks the bcd is done), lack of reviews, boring colors
the SP Hydropros (second hand)
- I like: The stripped-down design, the dump weight design, the weight of the bcd, the modularity, fun color
- I don’t like: the price (of the bcd and of the options), the fragility of some points (fixed with the upgrade?)
the Mares XR (aluminum plate + weight pocket)
- I like: The stripped-down design, modularity of the BP/W, the weight of the system
- I don’t like: the price of some accessories (yes I would like the padding), the lack of mares dump weight pockets (but it’s me being picky)
I kinda like the DIY side of the BP/W but I didn’t find any other BP/W system with right side butt dump (Anything I should be aware of before thinking of going that way without experience?).
My goal here isn’t to start a BP/W vs BCD talk. But more to have feedback on the system mentioned and maybe some suggestions regarding systems I might not be aware of. For example, other wings with right butt dumps.
I would also be interested if any system would offer right side inflator (or if it’s possible to swap with the right shoulder dump on a BCD).
Thank you for everybody who read all of it.
Safe dive.