Buddy Tekwing or Commando

[Buster]

I'm ready for a new BCD having had my old second hand Buddy Commando for a few years now and I have been looking around at the options availabe.

Too be honest I like buddy and will be sticking with them so for me its either the new Commando or the Tekwing.

Has anyone used a new Commando with the intergrated weights? I quite like the idea of intergrated weights but know nothing about the Commando system and if its a good one?

I have also seen the Tekwing again with the intergrated weights and wonder what people think of these?

I've read the magazine reviews and both seem to score well.

Like I say I like buddy and do not want to go along the backplate and wing system (I don't dive twins etc) and I really don't want or need the flexability of a seperate system.

It really is a choice between the Tekwing and the Commando and it would be good to hear the view of people who have used or own these.

Thank you for reading and as you can see this is my forst post.

[Roger Cardy]

You say you won't be using twins, but perhaps in the future you will. I got the techwing, and have used it with a single 15 and twin 12s. The benefit of the commando is the pockets, with the wing there really isn't anywhere to store stuff. I must say that having dived a bcd, I get on better with a wing (personnal pref). Should you go for the techwing, its cheaper, and gives you the option of twinning later. HTH
Roger

[PeeBee]

I've dumped the old backplate and changed to an OMS harness with a SS backplate, but the wing has loads of lift, seems bulletproof and worked great with my single 15 or now with my twin 12s. Good piece of kit IMHO.

[bigfeller]

I use the old style Tekwing which I love, and SWMBO dives the new style. I must say, the new style is a lovely bit of kit. Very rugged and she says the harness is very comfortable. Must try a dive on it myself one of these days. The only drawback I can see with it is that it is a bit heavy which might be a bit of bother with the airlines but otherwise I'd say go for the wing.

[MartinJ]

Originally Posted by Buster

I'm ready for a new BCD having had my old second hand Buddy Commando for a few years now and I have been looking around at the options availabe.

Too be honest I like buddy and will be sticking with them so for me its either the new Commando or the Tekwing.

Has anyone used a new Commando with the intergrated weights? I quite like the idea of intergrated weights but know nothing about the Commando system and if its a good one?

I have also seen the Tekwing again with the intergrated weights and wonder what people think of these?

I've read the magazine reviews and both seem to score well.

Like I say I like buddy and do not want to go along the backplate and wing system (I don't dive twins etc) and I really don't want or need the flexability of a seperate system.

It really is a choice between the Tekwing and the Commando and it would be good to hear the view of people who have used or own these.

Thank you for reading and as you can see this is my forst post.

Tekwing is nice...I use mine with single cylinder or independant twins and it is just great with both.

My old BCD (not a Buddy one) has integrated weights which I ditched in favour of a weight harness as soon as I could....Having weights integrated makes it a bitch to pick up and the weights were well nigh impossibnle to put in once it was on...don't know what the Buddy integrated systems are like in that respect. Also, whilst the feeling on the surface is great with integrated weights as you tend to float up into your BCD rather than being held up by it you understand my meaning, personally I prefer to knopw that had I got to get out of my scuba I aint going to float off skywards with the weight strapped to me rather than the BCD

I can miss the pockets of a BCD (never use them and they are awkard anyhow...I just tend to use the drysuit pocket so that is not really an issue).

Also my dive buddy got the TekWing, (a) because he liked the look of mine :-) and (b)because it is one size fits all and his BCD was always either a bit loose or a bit tight depending whether he was diving in a wet or drysuit so now it always fits him properly and he hasnt looked back

Martin

[Buster]

So then the Tekwing is looking good and can handle a single 15 or twin 12s no problem.

Looks like this could be the one that will suit my needs (Even if I don't go with twins I still have the option)

Keep the opinions of the Tekwing coming please.

[String]

FWIW you can use a commando with independent 12s as well.

I had one of the original tekwings - didnt like the harness and didnt like the backplate. Result was i'd have been better off buying a proper wing to start with by the time id changed those.

[applepie]

personally i would go with the commando, its ace! not sold by integrated weights though from my experience and seeing other people's as well it just doesnt work well in cold climates. probably good in warmer waters with less weight but in cold areas its a pain in the @ss.

i have seen alot of people use twins on their commandos, i tried it once as well and it works perfectly fine. you know the commando is going to last and not let you down, people have been using the same ones for what 10+ years sometimes with no problems.

i was going to buy another old version (I dont like the new ones for some bizarre reason) but never could justify the cost per usage.

a friend uses the tekwing, and thinks its alright. another mate who had it hate it and sold it quite soon afterwards. best if you can try it out at the local shop or your mate.

[Buster]

So things are evening up a bit now and some folk are not over keen on the Tekwing.

String - What is it that you prefer about the Commando over the Tekwing?

[mala]

2p.
i have 2 commandos.
1 very old that i use for single cylinder stuff.
1 newer one that i use with twin indy 12ltr's.
my bud has a bcd for singles and a tek wing for twins.

the tek wing is good and 1 size really does fit all.
no storage tho so everything has to be clipped on or a storage bag thing used.
or have pockets in your drysuit.
not a fan of integrated weights so i can't comment .
the commando's are very tough and easily take twins-they also have pockets so storage is not to bad.-they can constrict on your upper body when fully inflated tho which the wing won't.
the wing also compresses well for travel and is lighter than the commando .


if i was mainely diving singles i would go for the commando .
with twins the wing may be the best option.
as you already have a commando why not buy a wing and have both?