What is your favorite "Rig.? B.C. BP/W Horse Collar or ?????

[SaltwaterNomad]

https://www.amazon.com/Sharks-Hydro...sfer+film&qid=1589651634&s=arts-crafts&sr=1-2

 

[Bigbella]

For the longest time, I didn't even use BCs, in the late 1970s; just had a hard backpack; and then purchased a used Seatec horse collar, which was used until Zeagle became available, around 1990.

Since then, I have had a Zeagle Ranger for heavy-duty use, with a 23 kilo lift; and a Zeagle Zeus, for travel and everyday use, which can be cinched -- corset-like -- to stabilize an occasionally troublesome back. They were both chosen, due to the fact, that any component could be replaced or changed; not so true with the earlier jackets . . .

 

[Bigbella]

Technical gaffe . . .

 

[Boston Breakwater]

Technical gaffe . . .

My first B.C. in 1999 was a U.S. Divers Seamaster, back mount with 50lbs of lift. I also had a U.S. Divers (Yellow.) Horse Collar, and a Seaquest (Orange.) Horse Collar
A couple of manufacturers still make them. I thought about buying one. more than once

 

[Bigbella]

I still preferred the collars to those later jacket designs; never cared for that frontal inflation . . .

 

[bletso]

Started with the standard Sherwood 'wrap around huggy type' (commonly refered to as a jacket style), never liked it. Went to a Seaquest back inflation, really nice for OW. Then went to the dark side. Dive Rite Classic wing with an OMS SS back plate. I still have the same. Had to dye the wing as it turned from blue to whitish. Might have to dye it again. I used it with doubles and for the last dozen years my homemade DOCCR. (Dual orifice closed circuit rebreather)

For OC type diving I use a Dive Rite Transpac w/junior wings. Great kit and you can fold and mash it up for travel. You might get the impression I like back inflation. Well you would be spot on.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Bigbella

Did your Seatec have a low pressure inflator? I had a similar Scubapro model that I bought in 1972. It was a separate vest but had an inflator, very advanced, just like the SPG I bought at the same time. It was also used a hard backpack on the tank, a steel 72.

 

[Bigbella]

Hi @Bigbella

Did your Seatec have a low pressure inflator? I had a similar Scubapro model that I bought in 1972. It was a separate vest but had an inflator, very advanced, just like the SPG I bought at the same time. It was also used a hard backpack on the tank, a steel 72.

Yes, it had the inflator, very similar to the ad in my post; and I already had a hard backpack and a 72 . . .

 

[jwelburn]

To set the stage, I'm a tech diver type, but only if I need it to get somewhere neat. I started with a jacket bc, then moved to a bp/w. I've since tried sidemount, but it wasn't for me. My favorite by far is bp/w, but if I'm diving stages I dive with back mounted doubles with stages slung in a sidemount style. Personally I think bp/w is extremely personalizeable, and easy to adapt to personal preferences. Which is not to knock sidemount, I just think that bp/w is a 99% solution for 95% of divers, and sidemount is a 99% solution for 5% of divers. Your mileage may vary of course, but that's my take so far.

 

[scubadada]

This discussion is very interesting. If you have not voted in the previous poll, please do so How do you dive, part 2?