My first BCD - advice needed.

[Paul Bogle]

Hi,
Looking to buy my first BCD in the next couple of weeks and am after some recommendations. I'm looking for something I can use both in the UK and overseas and with some kind of integrated weight system - can't stand weightbelts!

Oh, cheaper the better obviously

Thanks in advance,
Paul

[MATTBIN]

Paul Hi
Dont discount weight belts just yet, you can get a harness system that prevents the weight belt ending up in your nether regions if you have snake hips. The advantage to that is that if you go abroad you can take your own belt, a lot of dive centres dont have shot type weights and the slabs can be uncomfortable in an integrated BCD I believe. Plus some boat owners in the UK may not take too kindly to a BCD/Tank/Weights combination. Some BCD intergrated weight systems are less than perfect and I for one dont want to drop any weight unwittingly. Just my thoughts, might be worth looking into before spending out and getting the wrong thing. Also think about a Wing, as you know, the one I have was designed for travel and its not unique in that approach, the backplate can be Ali or plastic to reduce weight further when travelling by plane. BCD that are of high quality, hence weight integrated, tend to be quite heavy also. A wing will also be usefull if you have any intention of getting twin tanks in the future, some BCD's cannot be upgraded to take twins.

Matt

[Dominic]

Buddy Tekwing - cheap, sturdy, light enough for baggage limits

[MATTBIN]

Dom, post your website for the guy please.

Matt

[Dominic]

I did - on Dnet where he asked the same question

[Paul Bogle]

Thanks guys, you reminded me about some stuff I'd forgotten to consider like backplates and how small it is when deflated

Hopefully I'm going to a shop this weekend so I'm going to actually see what my options are before deciding.

Cheers,
Paul

[Mark Chase]

I has a Seeman Sub blac Jack with intigrated weights. It was very comfortable and I still have it in the garage but I havent used it for over a year due to swaping over to a wing. It is a a good bit of kit and got a very good review in Diver Mag

I much prefer intigrated weights to a weight belt.

I seem to remember it was reasnobly priced when I baught it from Divers Wherhouse. (If your after a new one) if your after second hand I might be perswaded to sell it.

ATB

Mark Chase