Rick,I'm mearly referring to the fact that when you compare a ScubaPro B.C. (apples to apples) with a another B.C. In it's class, there's always something better about the other one. I've worked the dive industry for quite some time now, and have yet to run into a pro who honestly beleives to the contrary. I'll probably get lotsa hell for this one, so let me just say that this is my personal opinion and observation and isn't intended to offend anyone.
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Having said that.Happy Holidays everyone,Mario. I agree with your assessment.
I was the first person in VA to own a SCUBAPRO jacket, purchased in 1977. I used it for 14 years and it was wonderful.
I would never look at an 'Atpac' wing again. However, when the jacket was totally worn out, I replaced it with a SCUBAPRO 'double black' adapting the original, high quality, hard pack and metal clamp with nylon waist strap. I was unhappy. Discovered the that the skirt was two inches longer which made it difficult to access my fish stringer, etc. It had two huge pockets which made it bulky.Later, I bought a slim tropical model which had a short skirt but quickly discovered that it was a poor design. The arm holes were too large which allowed the tank to move all over the clock.
I then bought a Beauchat adjustable 'Master Lift' which is compact and very nice but still allows the regulator to bump the back of my head.Lastly, I found a Seaquest 3 Dimension which is a back inflating softpac(small plastic back plate) and which employs the most wonderfully complex system of cantilevered straps and tensioners that I have ever seen. I could never have thought of it, but in spite of the complexity the Dimension is actually simple to use. All adjustment takes place at the waist, pulling on the belt ends automatically adjusts the shoulder straps.
Once in place and adjusted, this thing fits like a glove. Removing the unit is simplified by quick release buckles at the shoulders. It has superb balance and is not bad on the surface. It packs flat and compact. It has no pockets, though.
These vests are no longer in production and are fairly rare but it is verrrry nice.I have no special case to make for back mounts in general. I am still leery of the over hyped 'wings'. One thing, I don't understand the comments about being 'squeezed' by jackets. I dove the original Scubapro stab jacket hundreds of hours without any such problem. ScubaBoard.comScubaBoard.com is the world's largest scuba diving online community.
Im in need of a bcd for my son. Were close enough in size for it to be a travel bcd for myself. He will not be diving a lot but enough to be worth buying him gear. I would like something very compact and light as a spare when its done. My bags are always at the limit.I do not have access to shops with wings and for the next couple of years that will be the case however three years or so that will change. I would already have a wing style unit if I did have that kind of access.
But to date none of my diving has allowed me time to deal with the tinkering required to outfit a wing. I fly out jump out of the plane into the water and my trips are always to hectic from start to finish.I have 6 weeks till our next dive to get something put together or we rent gear for him and move on. I do have access to a pool to rig it up close enough that he will be set up for the trip if I can get the parts needed fast enough. But only on thursdays so the clock is ticking.I currently dive a Scubapro Nighthawk have since the start.
Ive rented other gear and missed it. I don’t need to be sold or unsold on a traditional bcd I’ve read countless posts here don’t need the whys or why nots or my thing is better than your thing. If I can outfit a wing fast enough and it’s going to save me some weight and size I’m in.Things I want in it. Comfort I already have shoulder pains don’t need other pains or bruises. Wide padded shoulder straps Back weight pockets, integral front weights, can that happen in a wing?
I have never liked a weight belt but I started diving in cold water heavy weights are required might be different in warm water? I like air 2 less crap in my carry on as I usually carry all our or regulators as my carry on and I hate dealing with my back up regulator coming loose when diving. I Want a number of d rings and would prefer not to deal with a crotch strap and buckle I have a bad shoulder and leg one more thing to deal with when gearing up I’m not broken, once I get in the water I’m fine I just have movement issues when gearing up. Ive dealt with it long enough and I’m fast enough gearing up to learn how to get that strap on but it would be nice not to have it but I’m gonna get older and my shoulder will get worse.None of my buddies that dive a lot use a wing and they dive several times a week. Which is odd to me they spear fish and lobster dive with all this gear I’d think a more tech style bcd would be something they want. Me I want simple easy to put on small and light.
If I have to wear a weight belt I’ll get a pouch style unit and use bagged weight. Cost isn’t a huge factor most of the BCD’s Im looking at are $700 or more but I need to be able to get it rigged up via the Internet and in a month durability for sure some dives were dragging our gear on the boat no boats to big or small I’ll dive out of it.So if a wing is the way to go over a ready to go travel bcd who do I call or email to buy everything I need in a wing in one shot what brands and accessories do I need to fit my needs and if I should buy a normal travel bcd what’s the best bang for the buck. There are a number of dive shops in Seattle I’d be willing to drive there if there are any shops in that area that could outfit me on the spot. Its a four hydride though. I didn’t realize this until later after multiple long walk beach dives and my shoulders were killing me but really there should be almost no weight on your shoulders with a full rig.
It should all be on your waist the shoulder straps are more to keep the rig from falling back. Since I re-adjusted my rig it’s so much easier to carry my rig for those Long Beach walks or even standing on the boat waiting to jump off. Oh the crotch strap is a great feature keeps the rig secure and I like to attach my safety sausage on my butt D-ring. I may not like a wing if they all have a crotch strap, can they be buckled one handed. Its a motion that isn’t right for me in that position.
Its funny I can do almost everything with that arm but some simple twist and positions and it’s sharp pain. Maybe there are Velcro straps? I even run chain saws and split wood.I will need to try gearing up with one first. While I do have fair motion in that shoulder there are angles and limits to its motion.
Once I’ve tweaked it it hurts for an hour or more and then it hurts worse maneuvering with a weighted bc on it. I do not see it getting better it’s not getting much worse though I’m controlling it with a lot of excercises swimming is good for it to my docs thinking living with it is better than having surgery. Let me pose this question about weight belts crotch straps and wings in general. I think i can manage a crotch strap if I had integrated weights. My point here is dealing with a weight belt is something I cannot do after donning my BC. The crotch strap and belt together will be an issue for me. So I think my main focus when thinking about a wing would be is there a wing that can have integrated weights.
If not im not going to do well with a wing and will need to stick witha. BC that has integrated weights.
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