if wreck diving is in your horizon, then a robust stream lined BC is a must. Now also consider if you will be diving Doubles. ( I know your a new diver) but you have a good opportunity here to get the right gear right from the get go.
Wreck diving is very particular. Especially if you will penetrate a wreck. It requires alot more training and a lot more control than just floating around in the deep blue or green water... That BC you are looking at is bulky. This is what you want to avoid. You want small streamlined gear, less is more. This is where you would go towards a Back plate and wing. This will be a very versitile kit. You can dive a single tank for now and then graduate to a set our double. You would only need to swap out the single wing for a slightly larger doubles wing. The back plate and harness will grow with you regardless of the type of diving you will do. Its the rght choice for wreck diving. Its more streamlined than a conventional BC and will stand up to the test of time. The only things you will change is the webbing for the harness system. Cost less that 20$ ,compared to changing a BC for something else. Also you can swap out wings with out any hassles. go from a single set up to a doubles set up with one harness configuration. - But that is a whole other conversation.
Now if your goal is to just dive around, visit wrecks now and again and travel.
I would suggest this BC; Stiletto - Recreational BCs - BCs - Zeagle Dive Systems
- Its small, light weight and streamlined for a weight integrated BC. It dives well and works in both cold water and warm water environments. Its tuff.
Also if you want to stick with a BC and want to do a little more cold water diving or Ice diving for that matter, I would highly suggest this - again from Zeagle
Ranger - Heavy Duty BCs - BCs - Zeagle Dive Systems
-Its one tuff back inflated BC. I used this under the ice many many times and it also travels well. Integrated weight system. Simple rip cord design, one pull and off come the weights. This Back inflated BC is made for extrem diving in harsh environments. Like Ice diving and cold water diving.
This is also my opinion - so take what you want from it.
Wreck diving is very particular. Especially if you will penetrate a wreck. It requires alot more training and a lot more control than just floating around in the deep blue or green water... That BC you are looking at is bulky. This is what you want to avoid. You want small streamlined gear, less is more. This is where you would go towards a Back plate and wing. This will be a very versitile kit. You can dive a single tank for now and then graduate to a set our double. You would only need to swap out the single wing for a slightly larger doubles wing. The back plate and harness will grow with you regardless of the type of diving you will do. Its the rght choice for wreck diving. Its more streamlined than a conventional BC and will stand up to the test of time. The only things you will change is the webbing for the harness system. Cost less that 20$ ,compared to changing a BC for something else. Also you can swap out wings with out any hassles. go from a single set up to a doubles set up with one harness configuration. - But that is a whole other conversation.
Now if your goal is to just dive around, visit wrecks now and again and travel.
I would suggest this BC; Stiletto - Recreational BCs - BCs - Zeagle Dive Systems
- Its small, light weight and streamlined for a weight integrated BC. It dives well and works in both cold water and warm water environments. Its tuff.
Also if you want to stick with a BC and want to do a little more cold water diving or Ice diving for that matter, I would highly suggest this - again from Zeagle
Ranger - Heavy Duty BCs - BCs - Zeagle Dive Systems
-Its one tuff back inflated BC. I used this under the ice many many times and it also travels well. Integrated weight system. Simple rip cord design, one pull and off come the weights. This Back inflated BC is made for extrem diving in harsh environments. Like Ice diving and cold water diving.
This is also my opinion - so take what you want from it.
New change, after reading a few treads, mostly this one, relating troubling stories about Mares' weight system. I am thinking of switching from the Mares Dragon to a Black Diamond from Aqualung. I know it's a bit bulky and slightly more expensive. But it seems well worth it, especially after reading about the problems related to the dragon...
Any opinions, or recommendation?
Also if anyone has an answer about my previous post on the spring strap and the NiteRider Blackwater 3000, I would be grateful.
I was thinking maybe Sport Chalet has it. It's one of the dealer on the NiteRider web-page. But I don't know if they sell this model specifically. Does anyone has seen it in store?