back inflate vs a normal jacket bcd

[bigman241]

I am leaning toward the zeagle ranger i have looked at bp\w but if i go to florida without a bcd and they can not fit me one i am screwed. So i am thinking just get the jacket bc and wait untill i learn more then maybe switching to a bp/w later when i go to two tanks.
Now the ranger is a back inflate wing.
What is the benifites of a back inflate over a normal jacket style bcd.
The guy at scubatoys recommend the ranger because i will need around 30 pounds to sink me due to my weight. If i go to 2 tanks i will need more and the other zeagle vest has a 35 pound wing on it

[imasinker]

Originally Posted by bigman241

I am leaning toward the zeagle ranger i have looked at bp\w but if i go to florida without a bcd and they can not fit me one i am screwed. So i am thinking just get the jacket bc and wait untill i learn more then maybe switching to a bp/w later when i go to two tanks.
Now the ranger is a back inflate wing.
What is the benifites of a back inflate over a normal jacket style bcd.
The guy at scubatoys recommend the ranger because i will need around 30 pounds to sink me due to my weight. If i go to 2 tanks i will need more and the other zeagle vest has a 35 pound wing on it

If your planning on going to doubles down the road, why waste money now and get a BCD when you may as well get a B/P W and get used to diving with that. The money you won't have to spend again can go towards a computer or regs something else you need. Then all you need to do is get a set of doubles. B/P Wings pack up just as good as a BC and in your case probably a lot easier. Back plates are standard size so the harness will be a bit bigger but not much there but webbing to deal with. With that when you travel you just get a weight belt when you get there. The Ranger BC has integrated weights and if you use them, you may not find it easy to get them when you travell, so you'll have to use a weight belt anyways. You will use less weight with the B/P W then you would with the BC. As for wing size, you could get a 60 pound wing for now and dive it, i did and i am 180 pounds.

Just an opinion.

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by bigman241

i have looked at bp\w but if i go to florida without a bcd and they can not fit me one i am screwed.

Why not get a bp/w and take it to Florida with you? I do.

[bigman241]

Well i know nothing about it no idea of setting it up.
There is no local dive shop for me to buy it from. There is one alittle north i have tried to get them on the phone since monday they where closed tuesday the guy was out to so who knows about tomorrow.
If i can i will but it is not something i really want to mess with without any know how of how they work or are setup

Originally Posted by MSilvia

Why not get a bp/w and take it to Florida with you? I do.

[bigman241]

I plan to buy everything but the tank then later this summer buy the tank. so weight will not be a issue.
There is no place to go to check them out i found a place 60 miles away but can not seem to get someone ont he phone who knows what is going on.

Originally Posted by imasinker

If your planning on going to doubles down the road, why waste money now and get a BCD when you may as well get a B/P W and get used to diving with that. The money you won't have to spend again can go towards a computer or regs something else you need. Then all you need to do is get a set of doubles. B/P Wings pack up just as good as a BC and in your case probably a lot easier. Back plates are standard size so the harness will be a bit bigger but not much there but webbing to deal with. With that when you travel you just get a weight belt when you get there. The Ranger BC has integrated weights and if you use them, you may not find it easy to get them when you travell, so you'll have to use a weight belt anyways. You will use less weight with the B/P W then you would with the BC. As for wing size, you could get a 60 pound wing for now and dive it, i did and i am 180 pounds.

Just an opinion.

[DMWiz]

Originally Posted by bigman241

I am leaning toward the zeagle ranger i have looked at bp\w but if i go to florida without a bcd and they can not fit me one i am screwed. So i am thinking just get the jacket bc and wait untill i learn more then maybe switching to a bp/w later when i go to two tanks.
Now the ranger is a back inflate wing.
What is the benifites of a back inflate over a normal jacket style bcd.
The guy at scubatoys recommend the ranger because i will need around 30 pounds to sink me due to my weight. If i go to 2 tanks i will need more and the other zeagle vest has a 35 pound wing on it

How big are you that you have a concern about not being properly fitted?

If you indeed need 30# of weight to sink, I imagine you are thinking about diving with a very thick wetsuit or dry. You don't need either down here in Florida

A jacket bcd has most, if not all of the air cell around your waist/sides while a back inflated bcd has the air cell on your back and are usually less bulkier and more comfortable to wear. You don't get squeezed by the jacket when you add air. Also, having a back inflated bcd helps you stay horizontal in the water.

[georoc01]

I'd take two options..

One was I can recommend an OMS dealer rep that will send it to you with the harness on the bp. all you need to do is trim it and attach the wing. not very difficult. In fact, scubatoys has a video on how to do it. PM me if you are interested.

Otherwise rent a BC until you can buy one. Heck, you might be able to find one at one of the many dive shops down there!

[ektess1]

I am in the position that you will be in. I have a perfectly good BC. I want a BP/W. Must sell one to by the other. If you still decide to buy the BC, buy used. Buy mine!!


FS Seaquest Black Diamond BCD w/Airsource - ScubaBoard

[bigman241]

No just a 3mm wetsuit. I weigh 440 he said i would properly need around 27 pounds. he might have meant with two tanks but i think it was just one.

Originally Posted by DMWiz

How big are you that you have a concern about not being properly fitted?

If you indeed need 30# of weight to sink, I imagine you are thinking about diving with a very thick wetsuit or dry. You don't need either down here in Florida

A jacket bcd has most, if not all of the air cell around your waist/sides while a back inflated bcd has the air cell on your back and are usually less bulkier and more comfortable to wear. You don't get squeezed by the jacket when you add air. Also, having a back inflated bcd helps you stay horizontal in the water.

[DMWiz]

A BP&W for sure then!