1st bcd/wing for newb???

[Druid]

Originally Posted by James The Badger

Bit of a myth with BP & wings, you actualy sit quite comfortably in the crotch strap. I found a fully inflated BCD much more uncomfortable at the surface. You should see if you can borrow one and try in a pool. If you think you will be traveling with a rig, think about a simple ali backplate and 30lb wing, its a great set up and weighs bugger all.

I'll second this ^

I have an OMS ally plate and harness with a single break and an Apeks WTX3 wing. It's lighter than my previous BCD (SeaQuest ProQD), much more comfortable to wear and does not push me face down at the surface. It cost about £220.

[Garf]

wings are not just for twinsets. You can buy excellent single tank wings. The "face down" thing is just a nonsense. I far prefer the feeling of being supported by a wing than that of being squeezed by a BCD and wish someone had advised from from the outset to get one, it woul have saved me a bunch of cash.

My advice. Try both a BGCD and a wing, and see what you prefer. There are plenty of people on here who will lend you one of either to try. Don't rush into spending your cash, you find realise youve made an expensive mistake.

[Tunicates are Mad]

Originally Posted by Garf

wings are not just for twinsets. You can buy excellent single tank wings.

So I see, I've just been reading all the frog posts of the past two years........

Originally Posted by Garf

The "face down" thing is just a nonsense.

I should be able to find out for myself right soon enough! Several folks have already offered try-outs at pools and lakes........gotta love the YD crew. Really helpful people here.

Originally Posted by Garf

I far prefer the feeling of being supported by a wing than that of being squeezed by a BCD and wish someone had advised from from the outset to get one, it woul have saved me a bunch of cash.

I have experienced the discomfort and agro of a squeezy bcd - so the idea of a wing is making good sense to me.......

Originally Posted by Garf

My advice. Try both a BGCD and a wing, and see what you prefer. There are plenty of people on here who will lend you one of either to try.

Damn straight! YDers rock! I'm so glad I found this place. See above......

Originally Posted by Garf

Don't rush into spending your cash, you find realise youve made an expensive mistake.

That is my plan, not rush, not even to buy an Indigo at a great price......
Thanks to all for the good advices

[turbanator]

Another vote for the wing.
Kirstie was at about your stage when we met, for our first dive together I suggested that she try my single wing, having only used BCDs up to that point and she was sold.

We also use ally BPs for trips abroad/ wetsuit diving.

r
P

[TerryH]

Hang on a mo, 50 dives and I bet every one was in a standard BC.
Virgin in the UK and you are thinking of going to a wing.

I dive BC's & wings (in fact I have 4 wings sitting in the shed now), but
the last thing i'd say to you is buy one.

Change one thing at a time. Trying to do too much is the quickest way
to come a cropper. So buy that S/Hand Commando. Get used to diving
the UK in a system that is a close to what you've used in the past.

Give it a season and a few dives, then once you are ok with UK diving,
that's the time to look at a wing. You can always flog the BC again.

[Hellenic Diver]

Originally Posted by TerryH

Hang on a mo, 50 dives and I bet every one was in a standard BC.
Virgin in the UK and you are thinking of going to a wing.

I dive BC's & wings (in fact I have 4 wings sitting in the shed now), but
the last thing i'd say to you is buy one.

Change one thing at a time. Trying to do too much is the quickest way
to come a cropper. So buy that S/Hand Commando. Get used to diving
the UK in a system that is a close to what you've used in the past.

Give it a season and a few dives, then once you are ok with UK diving,
that's the time to look at a wing. You can always flog the BC again.

Wot he said

[alrhem]

Well the traditional - beg borrow steal and try everything you can get you hands on is the usual approach.

I did my padi open water abroadn and came back home where my mate had found me a second hand icaro tech wing. I aint looked back since!

My girlfriend bought herself a red hat cratos and loves it (only single tank diving tho). and they can be picked up cheap too!!!

[Tunicates are Mad]

Originally Posted by TerryH

Hang on a mo, 50 dives and I bet every one was in a standard BC.
Virgin in the UK and you are thinking of going to a wing.

Yeah. But only cos it's an option. Are they really so very different in use? I am often quite good at learning new physical tasks so I'm happy to try one out, and happy to find out that is or isnt for me. Your point about not running before walking is a point I will keep on board, so thanks for it.

Originally Posted by TerryH

Give it a season and a few dives, then once you are ok with UK diving,
that's the time to look at a wing. You can always flog the BC again.

I Know. But, but, but, well...the pretty things are so pretty! And I'm wanting to take whatever I buy on airoplanes - AND I DONT HAVE A CAR ( and dont want one thanks) so If I'm diving in the UK its mostly going to be by using trains or cadging lifts, which leads me to think that a commando is maybe a little too heavy.

I think I'm maybe falling into the trap of wanting to buy it once and buy it right, but I know that we always end up having to re-think things after a year or so......
Oh well, I gotta start somewhere, so its ask, ask, ask, test, test, test, and then buy something I'll end up getting rid of in a years time anyway.

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by Tunicates are Mad

I Know. But, but, but, well...the pretty things are so pretty! And I'm wanting to take whatever I buy on airoplanes - AND I DONT HAVE A CAR ( and dont want one thanks) so If I'm diving in the UK its mostly going to be by using trains or cadging lifts, which leads me to think that a commando is maybe a little too heavy.

Want to check a few stats?

Buddy Commando dry weight 3.8kg

BEUCHAT Masterlift light BC 4kg
Mares Origin 3.8kg

My Zeagle wing (has no BP) is at least 4kg

It might be heavy, but there are an awful lot around that weigh as much.

[Clare Gledhill]

I moved to a wing after 25 dives. Far from being harder to use it was easier - no pockets and useless clips and bits, and more importantly it was much more comfortable and it made me feel less squashed on the surface. I have no idea why the myth that you have to be experienced to dive one persists - probably due to the history of diving.

I know many divers who have learned to dive in a single wing and know nothing else. I put my ex-husband in a wing after his open water course and he found it much easier to cope with than the BCD that his dive school insisted that he learn in. The long hose took a little more getting used to but that's not open for debate here.

A wing weighs four fifths of bugger all and twinned with an aluminium backplate your luggage allowance won't take a serous hit. Just as importantly, they dry out very quickly too - no pockets to keep the damp in - just inflate and dry for an hour or so in the sun.

You have had offers to try out kit so take them up - particularly if you have pool access. Then you can choose what you want