700 quid

[Kent Tooling]

Another vote for the apex regs, still got my tx 40 / 50 from the day i started diving in the early 90's.

one of our members has just got a wing styled BC i can not rember the make of it, this may be worth a look.

John

[Dangerous Dan]

Apeks XTX40's on a DS4

Frog/Halcyon Wing and Backplate

Nice, Simple, cheap(ish)

[B]

Everybody means well by offering advice but I can only give one:

Try BCD's on before you buy... everybody is different, we are all different shapes and sizes and what suits one may not suit another... for example I do not like Buddy BC's at all, they simply do not agree with me, that does not mean it is not good, by far, just no good for me...

So... off to LDS and try things on, or ask the instructors whilst learning if you can try theirs... that is my opinion and the one I offer to any student I am around..

Good Luck..

B x

[recurve]

Originally Posted by Flipside

thanks everybody

this is great advice, i have not seen anybody at the club using a wing setup, so i guess i will stick with the bcd for now. By not buying the 200's i will be saving cash to spend on other bits and bobs which is a good thing.

pretty sure i am going to get two 40's, makes sense when explained :>

flip

Don't be put off considering the wing just because of the 'nay-sayers' or because others don't use them. It would be easy to configure it with straps almost the same as a jacket BC, and once it is on your back there is precious little difference other than benefits (I don't consider a couple of pockets much of a benefit). It will be flexible enough to grow with you and your diving and can be cheaply re-configured should the fancy (or the dark side) take you. It can be VERY easy to spend your full wad only to realise 12 months down the line that you want to do more than your kit can.

ATB

[Twinsetmad]

Originally Posted by recurve

Don't be put off considering the wing just because of the 'nay-sayers' or because others don't use them. It would be easy to configure it with straps almost the same as a jacket BC, and once it is on your back there is precious little difference other than benefits (I don't consider a couple of pockets much of a benefit). It will be flexible enough to grow with you and your diving and can be cheaply re-configured should the fancy (or the dark side) take you. It can be VERY easy to spend your full wad only to realise 12 months down the line that you want to do more than your kit can.

ATB

I totally agree...once you have dived on a wing you won't want a BC...saying that you will be different and instructors don't like that...you'll be the odd one out. If you can stand a bit of stick then buy a wing...I use mine with everything from a single 10ltr to twin 15's....they are fantastic bits of kit...can you try before you buy...are you with a willing group that will lend you kit to try..?

[Zdu]

I can only recommend stuff I've actually tried and liked:

Regs:
Apek xtx range
Scubapro Mk20/ S600 (what I've got)
Poseidon Cyclone (what I want)

BCD:
Dive-Rite Transpac and Trek Wing (I loves it)
Seac Sub Pro 2000 (if I was gonna buy a conventional bdc it would be this)
TUSA Imprex (wanted to hate it but liked it)

on a bonus note I must be the only person in the world who doesn't like Buddy BCDs.

[DorsetDiver]

Originally Posted by Zdu

I can only recommend stuff I've actually tried and liked:

Regs:
Apek xtx range
Scubapro Mk20/ S600 (what I've got)
Poseidon Cyclone (what I want)

BCD:
Dive-Rite Transpac and Trek Wing (I loves it)
Seac Sub Pro 2000 (if I was gonna buy a conventional bdc it would be this)
TUSA Imprex (wanted to hate it but liked it)

on a bonus note I must be the only person in the world who doesn't like Buddy BCDs.

I'm not a big fan of Buddys either, they seem to put most people's 1st stage level with their a***

[Zdu]

Originally Posted by DorsetDiver

I'm not a big fan of Buddys either,

High Five!

[splodge]

Personally, I would go for Scubapro Mk2 first stage with R395 2nd and instead of a BC get yourself a cheap end computer, sunnto vyper/gekko.

If you shop around for these you should have a bit of change left over for a 2nd hand bc or internet bargain.
Remember you cant dive without regs, a computer can be a life saver if used correctly and in certain types of diving a bc still is'nt used !

[Flipside]

many many thanks everyone, your advice and opinions have been great. i am off to the dive shop to try on different BCD's.


flip