Back vs. Jacket style?

BCDgirl · 08-11-2006, 03:13 AM

Im looking to by my own equipment and want some input on what divers like to wear, concerning brands and different recommendations and what not. let me know, im also on a budget

**glynneco** · 08-11-2006, 02:22 PM

I use a dive rite trans pac with rec wing and weight pockets. I believe bouyancy control is better then the jacket style. I also find it more comfortable and less restrictive. The options to reconfigure your set up are more varied giving you more flexibility in what can can bring with you and where you go. Side mount, doubles, ponies yadayadayada.
On the other hand...... It depends on what kind of diving you see yourself doing. Just blue water resort sorta stuff? Jacket is fine.
If you want to do more go the back inflate route. You can always check with the LDS in you region. Many will sell their rental equipment at a great price. My sister just picked up a trans pac with a travel wing and weight pockets for half off. It was a rental and in excellent shape!
Jackets can be had for a song and back inflates generally run higher. Since these things tend to last a long time think about where you want to be in five years.

Stranded in Daytona · 08-11-2006, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glynneco

I use a dive rite trans pac with rec wing and weight pockets. I believe bouyancy control is better then the jacket style. I also find it more comfortable and less restrictive. The options to reconfigure your set up are more varied giving you more flexibility in what can can bring with you and where you go. Side mount, doubles, ponies yadayadayada.
On the other hand...... It depends on what kind of diving you see yourself doing. Just blue water resort sorta stuff? Jacket is fine.
If you want to do more go the back inflate route. You can always check with the LDS in you region. Many will sell their rental equipment at a great price. My sister just picked up a trans pac with a travel wing and weight pockets for half off. It was a rental and in excellent shape!
Jackets can be had for a song and back inflates generally run higher. Since these things tend to last a long time think about where you want to be in five years.

What is LDS? (pardon the newbie questions

)

**Scuba Mama** · 08-11-2006, 03:26 PM

I agree it depends on your diving. As for myself, I use a Luna-Sherwood jacket style. I have tried back inflate and I know people who swear by them. Yes, you should figure out what type of diving your going to be doing it makes a difference. Cold water, dry suit, tech, cave, wreck, or vacation diving. My reasons for my choice of jacket is fit and easy of use. The back was design for a women it shorter then a guys. The chest strap is higher then on a guys giving me room. One of the other things I considered was the add ons, more striped down less cost. I know that the local shops do sell gear at reduced pricing, they call it training or student gear. If you go this way make sure your one of the first at the sale, that way you can pick over the best stuff. In addition to buying your gear at the shop will give you a place to take it to for repairs or maintenance.

**glynneco** · 08-11-2006, 04:00 PM

LDS = Local Dive Store

**glynneco** · 08-11-2006, 04:09 PM

Yeah, fit/comfort is a big deal. I would also suggest you rent several different kinds of gear first from different shops if possible. See which one works for you best. When it comes to gear "it's all about you!". Ultimately it about you being comfortable in the water.
I've heard that jackets fit a woman's frame better. I can attest that beer bellies are more comfortable in a back inflate!

**Scuba Mama** · 08-11-2006, 04:41 PM

Should have been a little clearer. When I am teaching in the pool and on trips I use the sherwood luna, it serves the purpose for the type of diving I am doing. When I am at the lake or quarries I use a Sherwood Magnum, it has more lift and when I have a thicker wetsuit on it fits fine. At this point, remember it has alot to do with the type of diving your going to be doing. If your BCD does not fit well you will spend a good amount of time fixing it during the dive and not enjoying to dive. I kept a log when I first started diving on the BCD's and reg's I used, what I liked and did not like. I was able to buy my first set of gear I still have and use based on this. Ask questions at the dive shop they know the gear well and understand it best.

hellosailor · 09-01-2006, 04:51 AM

If you will be diving in the ocean especially, remember that your BC is also your life preserver. If you, or your buddy, get in trouble and you need to surface but can't get out of the water right away (the boat isn't there, you drifted, etc.) your BC needs to have enough bouyancy to lift TWO of you above the water. The further up it lifts you (more bouyancy, and more of it low down in the BC, and a good part of it in front of you) the higher above any chop or spray your mouth and face will be. And that can be a good thing.

Not glamorous, not trim...but better safety. Try some on in the shop, in water if you can, and see how well they support you on the surface, with the normal tank and weights. If all the flotation is on your back--it can't keep your face out of the water. Your wetsuit will help, but your BC will be doing the bulk of the work.

wallacm · 09-02-2006, 07:01 PM

Diving is all about comfort, so really i suggest you go to your local dive retailer and just try on different BCDs. When you do make sure you inflate them fully as if you were floating on the top of the water. I myself used a Zeagle Ranger for 6 years and absolutely love the thing, I am now into technical diving and just purchased an OMS backplate and 32lb bladder. I would suggest the backplate system, just because it opens you every kind of diving that is possible, whether its pretty reef diving all the way to underwater cave exploration. As far as price, they all vary, I paid about $500 for my Ranger 6 years ago (they are still about the same price) and I just paid $500 for my backplate. So really, just go and try some on and then pick.

I chose the back inflation, mainly for the comfort of the bcd not squeezing me to death when fully inflated. After getting used to the back inflation, i tried a jack style not to long ago, not only did it squeeze me, but my buoyancy was way off, but thats not to say that you cant master buoyancy with one.

Good luck in your pick, and let us know which one you ended up with