What is the difference - BCDs

[Tournesol2000]

Hi. New diver. I know this is an expensive hobby, and we trust our lives on our gear, but I am curious to learn what is the difference between a 400 BCD and a 2000 BCD.
From my newbie eyes, I can see some weight differences, but in the end, will I not have the same benefits with both?
Thanks

 

[tbone1004]

usually marketing budget for a large company and unnecessary gimmicks.

The best BCD on the market imo is also the best value. $500US, so "one million dollars" Canadian, gets you a Deep Sea Supply plate and wing that has everything you need to go diving in the box. Plate, cam bands, wing, LPI hose, harness etc. There are a lot of unique design features in that piece of gear and the customer service from Tobin who posts on here as @cool_hardware52 is superb. You have a direct connection to the guy that makes this stuff and he is very passionate about what he does and it shows in the gear that he sells.

 

[lowviz]

...//... I am curious to learn what is the difference between a 400 BCD and a 2000 BCD. ...

Are you asking about the denier rating? Ballistic nylon - Wikipedia

 

[Tournesol2000]

@tone, is that a good idea for someone still getting feet wet like me? I thought that wings are better for advanced divers or regular divers.

@lowviz, maybe that is part of the answer. Better quality materials that last longer?

 

[cool_hardware52]

Are you asking about the denier rating? Ballistic nylon - Wikipedia

"Denier" is the weight in grams of 9000 Meters of the fiber used to weave a fabric. I'd be very surprised if anybody is using 400 denier for BC's. 400 is pretty light fabric. Think cheap safety sausage.

How Is Denier Measured?

I also doubt anybody is using 2000 denier materials. That would be very heavy. True ballistic Nylons are "1050", but are a duplex weave, meaning two "1050" fibers are twisted together and then used to weave the fabric. One might say true ballistic is 1050 + 1050 = 2100 Denier, but the actual individual fibers are 1050.

My guess is the 400 and 2000 refer to a model or some other feature of the BC's in question.

Tobin

 

[JohnnyC]

I would guess the OP was talking cost. $400 vs $2000. I don't know any 2k BCD's, but might be exaggerating for effect?

 

[Tournesol2000]

Exaggeration/ Canadian $$. LOL

 

[Marie13]

The stuff about BP/W only being for Advanced divers is a bunch of hoohah. Baloney! I've been in one since my 2nd pool session last year. I'm still here and still diving.

I like not getting squeezed at my sides, an uncluttered front, and since I'm a minimalist at heart, works just fine for me.

See if you can try one out. I love it.

 

[Tribal]

@tone, is that a good idea for someone still getting feet wet like me? I thought that wings are better for advanced divers or regular divers.

I did get the same advice last year when i did start diving. 100 dives later i did change to a bp/w anyway, i should have started with it.
The only small disadvantage is when diving wet you have no pockets.

 

[diversteve]

Cressi's Travelight, Tusa's Crestline or the Scubapro Go all use 210 denier fabric.
I thought the Aqualung Zuma used 420 denier also but I can't find it listed.

I like 1050 denier wings - in a pinch they work as sand paper also. (j/k....)

An Atomic BC1 retails for $1400 - afaik the most expensive currently.
Add an SS1 and it's $1789 or at the current exchange rate $2235 CAD,

so it's possible..