New to SCUBA need equipment advice

[calispearo]

Hi,

I'm new to Scuba and need some equipment advice. I'm a longtime freediver and spearfisher and recently got into scuba. I've ben looking at Zeagle Ranger and tech BCD's on ebay as i heard they weren't too bad. Any imput? is Zeagle a good brand? what's the best BCD brand and .. i'm lost. lol.

-Mike

[rslomkow]

Zeagle's are excellent tech BCs.

There are many different thoughts on equipment buying. Some people like to buy the fancy stuff first. I prefer just to get mid-range equipment from last season when starting. Then as I use the stuff and find out what features and fit I really want I upgrade and just give away the old stuff.

For BC's features that I like.

#0 MOST IMPORTANT: good fit for you!

1) A good handle for lifting it. It is a stupid little feature, but I find it makes life a lot easier. I don't like cloth ones, I prefer the plastic or metal ones that are part of the frame. I also perfer a BC that I can put on by-meself with a tank attached, while standing.

2) Side or bottom release valves, so you can release air from different angles. (Mares always have these)

3) Weight system you like. Integrated weights are what most people uses these days. They are comfortable. I am unusual as I personally don't like integrated, I prefer a rubber-belt kept close to my body, but that is probably just becuase I am funny shaped and the integrated weights tend to make me very front heavy, and I prefer to be flexible in being sideways or upside down.

At the moment pretty much every company is making good reliable BCs, the question is which is the best fit for you and the features you want.

The feature I have seen that is the biggest waste of time is "integrated Octo" You want your octopus to be usable and just as functional as your main regulator and you want a long hose, in case of problems and more comfort if you need to use it.

I would reccomend going by a couple of local shops and trying some on, perferably with a tank attached.

[island_sands]

Hi Calispearo

Which kind of BCD did you use when you learnt? If it was the jacket style BCD then using a harness/wing configuration will be different as you need to lean back on it as they tend to tip you forwards (on the surface), also you need to wear it with a crotch strap as they ride up. Before you invest in a Zeagle (great bcds btw) see if you can borrow one and try it out.

Once I started using a harness and wing I never looked back I find them extremely comfortable and feel less bulky.

I dont use integrated weights as i dont like them, like the above, i use a rubber weight belt as they are more comfortable and adjustable to a women's shape.

I agree with the above as well, about the integrated BCDs and also the airtrim (although kelp princess would tend to disagree )

Best of luck, let us know.

[Marwan]

ive had a zeagle ranger for the past 10 years, its a wrokhorse, i like the fact that all the tube is behind you so gives freedom of motion...it has been criticized that, God forbid, in the unlikely scenario if you blackout for any reason at the surface, you will be face down.. but i find this highly unlikely (to blackout in scuba that is)
for the reg i would recommend something reliable and straight forward plus easy to maintain... scubapro would me my choice ( nothing fancy, the old mk5/mk 10 first stage with g250 second stage works like a charm) .. i bought one for my wife when she started scuba, its great, simple, reliable and not too expensive... i personally use a poseidon jetstream, which i love but could be a bit uncomfortable if youre starting out...
have fun

[greendiver]

I started with a used BCD, a Buddy Commando, I bought it for 90 dollars, still using it,...if you buy anyhing used, get it serviced though,..
Another thing, if you are a spearo, and used to spearo suits, diving suits are terrible (usually),..try them on and see if everything seels well and is thick enough..(depending on the temp, get your self a semidry...(a bit warm in tropicalwaters though))

The thing is, the better you dive, the less energy you spend, less body heat you create, your B***S will freeze off...

I agree with Marwan, Scuba pro regs are one of the best...

[calispearo]

Thanks for all of your help guys. I moved to the U.S Virgin Islands a few months ago so i will be diving tropical waters mostly as i live here on St. Thomas.

The BC i got certified on was a Oceanic. What type is this? I'm not sure the difference between backplate, jacket style, etc.

The BC's i was looking at were on ebay and mostly used about 3-4 years old. I'll mainly be using the BC for exploring, wreck diving, and under water metal detecting.

Thanks again,
-Mike

[Narieshore]

Hi Cailspearo,
just a thought...before you buy, make sure you can service your equipment without waiting to long for parts

[calispearo]

Thanks Narieshore. Ontario Canada?
I'm from Richmond Hill origionally. went to RHHS

Does anyone know anything about the Zeagle Tech? and how it compares with the ranger.

I found out i've been diving with a Oceanic Medium and Large and it seems that the medium fit me a lot better and i even had to tighten the straps. I'm 6.2 and around 220 (fluctuates, a little larger sometimes and a little lighter others)

Would I be a Medium or a Large in a Zeagle Ranger? and if i got a medium and it didn't fit could i just buy the large straps (see them on ebay a lot) and make it a large?

Thanks guys,
-Mike

[Jon]

According to the local Zeagle rep the Zeagle tech BC came out first. So many people ordered the Tech with extra large weight pockets that they finally came out with the Ranger. All of the Zeagle tech BC's that I have seen look a lot like the Rangers, but with smaller weight pockets. The idea behind the smaller wieght pockets was that tech divers dive doubles and rarely need extra weight as a result. The Ranger was desgined for the coldwater diver who wanted a rugged BC but only dove single tank and needed the extra weight capacity.

Having said all that, I much prefer a backplate and wing. It packs much smaller and gives you a more open feeling. It also allows you to easily clip on extra do-dad's like cameras, lights, and stage bottles. My Halcyon back plate and wing can pack down smaller, for travel, than my wife's Zeagle Scout BC.

Jon

I forgot to add this: If you dive a back plate and wing you can just adjust the webbing on the backplate to fit anyone. It's cheap and, fairly, easy to do.

[calispearo]

What does everyone think of the DIVERITE Transpac?

Looks great online, any info? Can I add weight integrated pockets?

thanks,
-mike

[Jon]

I had one and you can add weight pockets to it.


For me it was an inbetween step from my Zeagle's to a Backplate/wing set up. I like the Backplate/wing system much better. If you don't think you'd like that then it's ok.

BTW: There are ways to add extra weight onto a backplate. You can either make something more permanent, like a P-weight, or just add pockets onto the waist belt.

Jon

[Amphibious]

if you need some convincing on the pros of a Backplate & wing setup, take a peak at these vids. my rig, a 40lb DSS Wing paired with a Stainless plate, under a LP104. VERY streamlined and secure system.

YouTube - Pav Lake 1

YouTube - pav diving 2

YouTube - pav diving 1

[Atlantis Fire]

Hi, I'm fairly new to scuba, but I've learned a bit about BCDs very quickly. I got my certification using rented jacket-style BCDs. At the time, I did not even know about the other kinds, other than a vague mention of rear-inflation BCs, which my instructors assured us were horrible. From the very first, I hated my BC. It rode up and cut off my circulation or strangled me when inflated, depending on adjustment. I felt like an astronaut, barely able to move in the thick vest. Also, the Velcro cummerbund was a technological nightmare. I knew there had to be something better.

After a lot of research, including on this forum, asking questions and trying on BCs, I settled on a DiveRite backplate and wing. I love the freedom of movement, the simplicity, and the fit. When I later rented gear from the place I got my certification at, for some diving, the equipment manager was horrified. He assured me that "most people who try a rear-inflation or backplate and wing take it back the next day." I was made to feel like a complete idiot for even considering purchasing such a contraption. I was basically told the backplate and wing is all but suicide. Well... after some strenuous cold water diving in varying conditions, I determined the equipment manager is the moron, not me. The backplate and wing is so much better I cannot imagine going back to the jacket-style. Everything you do it easier and more comfortable, aside from the tendency to tip forward on the surface.

Those are my thoughts anyway.

[island_sands]

Were your instructors getting commission on sales of Jacket style BCs?

Thanks for the input Atlantis. My man is just made me a harness using a backplate and has put on a halcyon wing. Just need to get time to try it out now

[Atlantis Fire]

You know I had considered that.... Actually, I checked and I'm pretty darned sure they don't get commissions on any of their gear. The equipment manager is pretty new though, but very opinionated. I don't think he knows as much as he would like you to think. He also thinks the split fins are the greatest thing since fire, so I don't pay him much mind anyway.

Backplate and wing all the way. Nothing better.