Looking for BC

ScubaGT · 09-14-2006, 05:07 PM

I am new to the board so forgive me it this one is asked allot but I would like help buying the right BC for me. I have made about 20 dives on rental and borowed entry level jacket style BCs and have been fine with all of them so I think fit wise I am fine. I am on a budget (spent my money diving in Aruba

) so I would like to keep the cost below 275.00 Which seems to give me alot of choices. I will be diving both cold and tropical conditions. Let me know what you like or dislike about your BCs. Or if you have up graded to a new one and want to sell me your old one.
Thanks

**glynneco** · 09-14-2006, 07:00 PM

I would tell you that you should pick the one you were most comfortable with/in. Ask the shop you rented from if they have any rentals for sale. These things last a long time. Also think about what kind of diving you do. If you plan on wreck, photo, cave, tech you will need one with lots of attachement points for lights. ponies, equipment. Blue water tourist? A simple travel BC. Look at the web sites of the scuba mags for product reviews. I dive with a back inflate dive rite BC which I love. My sister bought a used one from a shop for half off retail. It pays to ask. The shops will also give you discounts for a package deal. The packages can be built to your needs as well. It may be worth your money to save up for that. These days all bc's are very safe so dive with what makes you comfortable in the water and in the wallet.

scuba jerm · 09-14-2006, 08:55 PM

ScubaGT,

I dive with and sell the XS Scuba Nekton BC. It has more that enough attachment points, weight integrated pockets, perfect for tropical and cold water diving. I've dove in Fiji with it (84 degrees) and Catalina (50 degrees). I absolutley love it. I question the need to purchase anything more for most recreational diving. I've been in tight swim throughs, night diving, etc and this thing is great. Send me a PM and I'll give you my number to call and we can work it out.

Scuba Mama · 09-14-2006, 09:41 PM

If you have been using one shop to rent your gear and you like the shop I'd go with them. They will have a record of what you have been using and most shops will give you pool time to make sure your happy with your gear. One of the shops I have used gives a discount on gear. Rental to purchase, in other words if you have rented the gear they will give the rental cost off the purchase. I use a jacket style, luna from scuba pro. I have tried back inflates I just haven't found one I like. Also think a head, repairs and maintenance. I had a BCD that bubbled to much from the inflater hose. I returned it to the shop, I purchased in and they repaired it at no cost to me. The best advise, is figure out your type of diving, what fits and functions for you then fit the BCD to it. You can see your going to get a lot a different responses. If really is a personal choice, just make sure your happy with your choice. Check on return policy just in case your not happy with your pick.

Jimothy · 11-21-2006, 05:59 AM

I had used the LDS BC's a couple of times. Being rentals, they were the jacket style which messed up my trim. I now use a Dacor Rig with the back inflate, integrated weight pockets, plenty of attachment points, etc. I love it.

rick00001967 · 12-07-2006, 05:58 PM

has anyone out there tried the apollo bio control bc yet. i just bought one. it is way more bc than i need but the price i got was too good to pass up. seems to be built better than any i have seen. fits awsome. have not got it wet yet.interested in any feedback. thx rick

**glynneco** · 12-07-2006, 10:19 PM

Get it wet and let us know!

rick00001967 · 01-16-2007, 05:29 PM

well we are back from florida. as i said before, this new apollo bc is way more than i need but i have to tell ya it is the most comfortable i have ever been under the waves. no more weight belt means no more sore back for me. it was great. i know they are very expensive but if you are a cheapskate like me you can just wait for the right deal and i don`t think you will be disapointed. rick

rick00001967 · 03-19-2007, 05:42 PM

leisure pro has the apollo bio control on sale right now for $299. that`s even less than what i payed.