My gear is 10 years old, so looking at new stuff. Divers I see on boats are switching to back wings or the Hogarth tech style. I'm not a tech diver or a cave diver. I'm a warm water Caribbean and Asia diver. I'm looking at the Hog bcd which is like the Hogarth rigs I see. Can you please tell me pros and cons of this rig and perhaps make your recommendations for any rig. My biggest consideration besides safety is weight when I fly overseas.
Help with choice of new BCD
- Thread starter Dave Kay
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Ontwreckdiver
Contributor
I would also look at the Dive Rite TravelPac. It weighs less than 6 lb's, it doesn't have a whole lot of extra crap you don't need. For the most part the hardware is stainless steel, it has 2 cam bands and a crotch strap included and you can get weight pockets for it. TravelPac BCD | Dive Rite
Brian G
Contributor
The Hog and the TravelPac look pretty similar to me. I was going to suggest the Zeagle Express Tech, but it has a horseshoe wing and the Hog and Dive Rite use a donut wing. I like diving donut wings better. I also like how the Hog uses a standard wing instead of being custom like the Dive Rite and Zeagle. I think the Hog would be a good choice for you.
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I bought my first BCD this summer and I decided on a BP/W from Vintage Double Hose. It looks like Bryan is having a hard time keeping things in stock this summer, and for good reason. As for why I chose it, based on pros and cons:
Pros:
Inexpensive - you can get more expensive if you do something like Halcyon, but my package from VDH was $300
Modular - I can add on or take off whatever I want (within reason - I should probably leave the harness, wing, plate and cam bands at a minimum)
Portable - I got an aluminum back plate and the plate, wing (23#), harness, QR cam bands, D-rings and buckles, weigh just over 6 lbs all together
Comfort - I never liked jackets because they would always ride up on me (I can't fill a cummerbund) and I don't like the jacket squeeze - the crotch strap and harness are more comfortable than you think, even if you think it looks really comfortable
Look cool - Just kidding, but you will get questions about it on a boat, especially with new divers
Cons:
Lack of integrated weight - I am a weirdo and prefer a weight belt, but this is a con for most people
Lack of pockets - I do wish I had a pocket some times, but I don't have enough room to add one to the belt
Look too cool? - People might think you're a better diver than you and put a lot of peer pressure on you to be awesome because you look so cool (Kidding, again)
A BCD is a pretty personal piece of equipment - I still rent a regulator but own a BCD because I want consistency there. What you like is based on what fits you and what feels comfortable, but I can say without hesitation that I absolutely love my BP/W.
I dive in both warm water (Cozumel) and cold water (midwest lakes) in this BP/W. 23# works for me anywhere because I only carry 11 lbs in 7 mm wet suit in fresh water, but it might be too small if you carry a lot of weight. Make sure you consider your wing size needs.
Pros:
Inexpensive - you can get more expensive if you do something like Halcyon, but my package from VDH was $300
Modular - I can add on or take off whatever I want (within reason - I should probably leave the harness, wing, plate and cam bands at a minimum)
Portable - I got an aluminum back plate and the plate, wing (23#), harness, QR cam bands, D-rings and buckles, weigh just over 6 lbs all together
Comfort - I never liked jackets because they would always ride up on me (I can't fill a cummerbund) and I don't like the jacket squeeze - the crotch strap and harness are more comfortable than you think, even if you think it looks really comfortable
Look cool - Just kidding, but you will get questions about it on a boat, especially with new divers
Cons:
Lack of integrated weight - I am a weirdo and prefer a weight belt, but this is a con for most people
Lack of pockets - I do wish I had a pocket some times, but I don't have enough room to add one to the belt
Look too cool? - People might think you're a better diver than you and put a lot of peer pressure on you to be awesome because you look so cool (Kidding, again)
A BCD is a pretty personal piece of equipment - I still rent a regulator but own a BCD because I want consistency there. What you like is based on what fits you and what feels comfortable, but I can say without hesitation that I absolutely love my BP/W.
I dive in both warm water (Cozumel) and cold water (midwest lakes) in this BP/W. 23# works for me anywhere because I only carry 11 lbs in 7 mm wet suit in fresh water, but it might be too small if you carry a lot of weight. Make sure you consider your wing size needs.
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