Is the Trans-Pac ok for recreational diving?

[curiousgeorgie]

I'm an intermediate level recreational/vacation diver with about 170 dives. I've been looking into buying a Dive Rite Trans-Pac to replace my jacket style BCD. When I asked about one at the dive shop, a scuba instructor advised me against one for recreational diving. She stated that those "modular" type BC's are only good for tec diving with doubles and when I challenged her opinions, she stated that a single tank would not be stable with a Trans-Pac. Is this true?

 

[booth22]

She is a doofus. No, it is not true.

 

[djanni]

She is a doofus. No, it is not true.

What he said!!!

 

[Steven Kingston]

I dive a single with a plate and a 36 lb wing, Halcyon. It is far better than any jacket BC. Much more stable and balanced. But there aren't any pockets.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I dive a Dive Rite transplate & rec wing with a single tank

 

[PerroneFord]

The transpac is a very nice BC. Great for singles, supposedly fine for doubles. The sales person was clueless.

 

[duckster3d]

what others have said, the trans pac is great for singles, so so for doubles. when ready to go to doubles just buy a plate and harness wing may work, depends on the wing and tanks. but you will be happy in a transpac. i started my trans to tec with one, and was very pleased with it.

 

[Packhorse]

I love my transpac for single tank rec diving. Ask her if she has ever used one.

 

[SteveFass]

I'm gonna disagree with Don and Booth. I think she's a double doofus.

 

[Tienuts]

A properly sized transpac is the best thing to dive with. I had a second hand transpac I bought on ebay, which I thought was good.

I just recently got a new one from Fill Express. I felt like I was getting a tuxedo - they measured, swapped out different sized straps and padding, and custom fitted the thing to me. I then swapped from a venture wing to a travel wing, eliminted the pull dump and got a short corregated hose. What a difference in the water. Totaly streamlined, best thing I ever purchased.