Purchasing first BC - would appreciate help

[drharps]

Greetings everyone. Thank you for those who helped me with my regulator purchase (went with the Mares MR-12). I'm now in the market for a BC and would appreciate some help. Here is what I'm looking for:

A BC under $600 but preferably under $500 (it needs to be perfect to be over $500)
jacket style
I'll use it mostly for warm water (no wet suit) but some cold
Integrated weight system
Not sure if it matters but most dives here are beach entry so we have to surface swim for several hundred feet until get over the reef
Will do wreck dives when presented with the opportunity
Will take it traveling (though this isn't a major requirement unless it's very difficult to travel with a larger BC in which case I'd like smaller)

Have done some diving with ScubaPro which I liked and also looking at Oceanic Probe, although I'm game with anything.

Any advice or ideas is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Gombessa]

Consider used? $600-700 BCs in great condition often go for under $200 on ebay.

[FishFood]

Ill tell you right now to stay away from the Oceanic Probe. Not worth the price. Id look at Scuba Toy's line of Zeagle brand BCs. Type "Zeagle BC" into the search function at the top of the forum for a lot of user reviews.

May I ask why you want a jacket style instead of back inflate?

[ianr33]

Just saw this on Scubatoys:
BackPlate and Wing Package, DIR and Technical, OxyCheq, BackPlate and Wing Package

Even with a stainless plate and metal tank straps its less than $500

Cant go wrong with that.

Edit: O.K. so its not a jacket and its not weight integrated.Many would consider those to be advantages.

For warm water and travelling go with the Al plate. Brings the cost down to around $370

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by FishFood

Ill tell you right now to stay away from the Oceanic Probe. Not worth the price. Id look at Scuba Toy's line of Zeagle brand BCs. Type "Zeagle BC" into the search function at the top of the forum for a lot of user reviews.

May I ask why you want a jacket style instead of back inflate?

Seconded. Zeagle's BCs are great. Although are they jacket style? I've always thought of them as back-inflate.

And yes, why jacket style instead of back-inflate, or even a backplate and wing? Especially if you're considering wreck diving?

[mpd525]

well if you looking at jacket style, then the above recomendations are it, but all good choices, i would say for a jacket style, The aeris Atmos LX, or maybe the Mares Dragon.

I've tried on both, but i like the aeris best.

Andi believe they are both under 500.

[berick]

Go back-inflate and get the Zeagle Brigade. I've taken mine on 11 international trips and love it. I guess I don't like the squeeze from jackets . . .

[drharps]

I wanted a jacket because A) it's what I'm familiar with, B) two friends here (both marine biologists with 1000+ dives) disparaged back inflates for a number of reasons and C) I tend to change position quite a bit underwater and have read that jacket style makes is easier to, for instance, swim on your back or on your side than a back inflater.

Thanks for the comments thus far, they're very helpful and keep them coming.

[bottomdweller]

I wanted a jacket because A) it's what I'm familiar with, B) two friends here (both marine biologists with 1000+ dives).

I was just wondering the opinion of your two friends?
Being I am in the market also & and would think they would have great input.
Thanks to all that replied this post also gave me some good insight.

BM

[texdiveguy]

I would seriously consider one of the many great BC's Zeagle has in their line.

Zeagle Systems - Scuba Diving Equipment Manufacturer