1st bcd/wing for newb???

[Tunicates are Mad]

My first proper thread started here....

So I'm slowly building my kit up, as and when I see a deal - and after doing a little research got sorted with a set of little used regs -Mares Abyss, since you ask- and now am looking out for a BCD or wing.

I'm quite a newb at the diving, and a virgin in uk waters. I know I want to do 'some' diving in the uk, but also will be diving a few times a year in warmer climes - so not sure I want the heaviest bcd out there.

The question I put to you, soggy sages of yorkshire, is will do you have any great suggestions as to what bcd I might be looking out for? Integrated weights is nice, but dont need auto-airs or servo boosted dumps or anything too cleverclever.......might even the seemingly ubiquitious (and heavy?) Buddy Commando be the thing to look out for?

I know wings are very attractive and look the bizness, but I seriously doubt I'll be going twinset anytime soon, and rather like the idea of not being face down on the surface - sh*t/fan scenarios come to mind, but should I be looking at a Buddy Tekwing also, and reasons why?

I'm 6'2", loooong in the leg and about 12st. 50 dives, AOW and comfartable in the water, tend to trim a bit legs high, will be using with drysuit and wetsuit - just in case its relevant.

Any of your thoughts will be much appreciated.


I have a belated Xmas bonus to spend, not terribly in a hurry, and am trying to guage opinion before I go and try a bunch on at Lids.....and possibly spend some money - or buy one from one of you ;-)

Cheers,
TaM

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Posted here as its my 1st dive kit, but if it should be in BCD/wings then please move it.

[Nick S]

Excellent condition, black,size L, c/w minicylinder, net cutter

£85

suit 6' 2" diver

[kjackoj]

HI,

for value for money, have a look at the Tigullio T52 Hover. It has a good lift value, good size pockets and is well made. It has a waistcoat design with a wing attached. I use one for diving abroad with a single cylinder. I have an Audax Pro wing for diving in this country and I find the dive profile of the Hover is the same as that of the Audax.
Have a look at T52 - Hover BCD
Go Dive are selling them for £225.
You wont get better for that money.

Good luck

Jacko.

[Leg Of Salmon]

Originally Posted by Nick S

Excellent condition, black,size L, c/w minicylinder, net cutter

£85

suit 6' 2" diver

What shameless pimping! I myself would never be involved in that. PM sent

[Tunicates are Mad]

I spose Pimping versus Impartial Advice should have been the title.....

Pimping welcome though and thanks to all for offers, I'm not in any hurry - if you are then take it to the 'bay might be better....

Apart from being an invite to folks wishing to recycle their kit, I'm also after any advice out there on pro's and cons or bcd's wings and suitability.
Especially with weight as a consideration. I dont use a car so any UK diving will be by train or cadging lifts, hence my concerne about weight.

Keep it coming.

[Tunicates are Mad]

Originally Posted by Nick S

Excellent condition, black,size L, c/w minicylinder, net cutter

£85

suit 6' 2" diver

Cracking price Nick, I gotta be patient though.......my plan is to test a few in March/April then make a purchase.

Tigullio T52 Hover is one I've not come across yet - looks like an option.
Cheers for the heads up on that Jacko.

[ShinyD]

Sounds like you're doing what I should have done before I bought my Buddy Commando (I have a nearly brand new one for sale now, but I'll resist pimping it on you!).

Definitely, definitely try both before spending your money.

I started with a standard BCD (Scubapro) on which I suffered 2 broken shoulder clips (on 2 brand new BCDs, one a replacement after the first failure). The BCD was great to dive and reasonably light in weight (for those foreign trips), but did suffer in the quality department.

After the second failure I spent a little more and got the Buddy Commando. These are absolutely bulletproof and last a long time, but they are heavy and bulky BCDs and not ideal for travelling (flying).

I then tried the Frog Indigo wing, and although I didn't like it at first it did grow on me and I wouldn't go back to a BCD now. The things I thought I liked about the BCD I found that actually I didn't when I perservered with the wing. I took this with me on the Red Sea liveaboard holiday back in December (backplate, harness and wing).

That said however, it's horses for courses, and I would never try to push one or the other on someone. You need to try both and make your own mind up, but do try more then one dive if you can and be objective about the pros and cons of each (from your perspective).

You'll get lots of different opinions from people, but at the end of the day it's you that has to dive and be comfortable with it.

Oh, and one point worth making is that BCDs are not life-saving devices and are not guaranteed to keep you on your back on the surface any more than a wing is...for that brown stuff in the motorised whirry thing moment...

[Tunicates are Mad]

Hmmn. The more I read the more I think that the commando is going to be heavier than I want to carry to the airport, thanks for thinking of me though ShineyD........and the words about face-downness. I'll get to test a wing or two soon, so will get to see for myself how I feel.

Someone has offered a frog indigo which I'll be looking at for sure. Also seen pictures of the frog bcds and they have some appeal. Has anyone here any experience of them?

[James The Badger]

Originally Posted by Tunicates are Mad

and rather like the idea of not being face down on the surface - sh*t/fan scenarios come to mind

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.

[Tunicates are Mad]

Crotch strap? Er.......so do all wings have one then? Sounds right comfy.
So when you're trying to get back into a rib how easy is it to remove?
Bugger all is a good sounding weight for a bc, thats for sure.

I cant see it right now, but I'm sure all will be clear soon enough. I will get to try one in a Pool - thanks to Ricky2703 for the offer.

One thing I'd like to sort out - and I'm realising that the bc has a big part to play in this - is my trim..... I do seem to have quite floaty legs.
Wether this is to do with having floaty legs or just not having any idea of where my limbs are once I'm in the water I'll have to work on finding out.
Bc, weight, body position and a desire not to be bumping the back of my skull on the 1st stage all have a part to play here I think.