So I've got the basic, mask, fins, snorkel and I'm picking up a shorty this week. I do however, really want to get a BCD before I go away again. For the more scuba equipment astute among you, can I have some advice on:

* What are the major differences in BCDs? (I see people mentioning "travel" BCDs - is there much difference or just weight)

* Is there much difference in quality for "known brand" BCDs?

* What would you say is the most important feature (aside from the buoyancy lol) of a BCD?

* Why do BCDs vary in price so much?

* Is there anything special I should look for in a BCD?

* I'm going to be doing mainly warm-water diving, but also some drysuit cold diving - will this affect my BCD selection?

* What would I expect to spend (UK) for a decent BCD?

Thanks

thetafferboy wrote:


* What are the major differences in BCDs? (I see people mentioning "travel" BCDs - Weight, travel BCD's are lighter.

* Is there much difference in quality for "known brand" BCDs? Yes, even some known brand ones won't last. Buddy and Seaquest do last. I have several 20 year old Seaquests in my school and I use a Buddy everyday which is over 20 years old.

* What would you say is the most important feature (aside from the buoyancy lol) of a BCD? Storage of both bits and weights.

* Why do BCDs vary in price so much? Additional features such as extending pockets, trim weight pockets, fancy inflators, inflation bottles, inflators as regulators, 'D' rings for clipping stuff to, stretchy panels for women with boobs etc.

* Is there anything special I should look for in a BCD? No, one that fits is always good. I'll use any BCD nowadays.

* I'm going to be doing mainly warm-water diving, but also some drysuit cold diving - will this affect my BCD selection? When using a drysuit you use your drysuit for buoyancy not your BCD. BCD choice should make no difference.

* What would I expect to spend (UK) for a decent BCD? New - £300, 2nd hand - whatever. I still buy 2nd hand Seaquests on ebay for £31 inc postage, it's the older black ones. They are light & tough and I always have spares for them.

I have used a £20 Seaquest BCD with a twinset and stages to 50m in the UK. It has been around and completed 1000's of dives, it has faded from black to light brown. I sold it to a mate who still uses it. I bought a new Buddy BCD in 2001. The Buddy is heavier but with more pockets & D rings for DSMB's, torch, camera(s) etc. The Buddy has done 1000's of dives and is still going strong, it has faded a little from black to dark brown.

I have seen Oceanic fall to pieces in a dive school in 2 years, that's the real test. See what old BCD's your local dive centres have, if they're all new the old ones didn't last.

I think Alantic Scuba covered everything there..

I'd definitely recommend you having a trip around to try them on though as it's quite surprising how differently they can fit and you want to get the right size and shape if you want to keep it a while.

I got a seaquest pro because it's a great fit, plenty of D ring and seaquests reputation for durability. It's done me cold and warm water dives equally well. I have no complaints about it at all.

however the Mrs got a Mares Kaila she loves the comfort, but the design/quality of the weight pockets is terrible and I've had replace 2 where the plastic clips broke in under 50 dives which starts to add up as well as being annoying.

oh yeah and my local dive club just got new oceanics lol

Thanks for the replies guys, really helpful. Is it possible to try a BCD on in a shop? I would have though you'd need to inflate it / dive with it?

I didn't realise you could get them so cheap off ebay, but I'm a little nervous to get a secondhand one to be honest

Is this the kind of thing you guys are talking about? Can someone give me some links!

thetafferboy wrote:

Yeah, that's the one to avoid, Oceanic. They make great semi-dry suits but dodgy BCD's.

This one is new cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sea-Quest-Pro-QD-SL-BCD-Large-NEW-Bargain_W0QQitemZ270542265104QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportingGoods_Scuba_SnorkellingEquipment_SM?hash=item3efd935b10 but it's the sort of thing that has plenty of extras as well as lasting.

Yes, you can try usually them on (or even the school ones). Most keep them partially inflated, but you can manually inflate if they'll let you, but it gives you an idea. You don't tend to swim around with it fully inflated anyway. I found some straps did not sit right or cut into the neck a little which you can tell without inflating.

The one you are looking at is oceanic, which we are saying have a bad reputation for falling apart sooner than the seaquest or buddy.

This is what I have (but slightly older model
can get it a little cheaper on ebay

You'll find this is heavier that the travel ones as it has more padding so just a case of wieght vs comfort.

I usually buy these cgi.ebay.co.uk/BCD-Seaquest-adv-Scubapro-Air2_W0QQitemZ330420066701QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportingGoods_Scuba_SnorkellingEquipment_SM?hash=item4cee92198d but for around £30, very basic but tough. This one has the Scubapro Air2, which is good but this is a Mk1 Air2 that you can't get parts for anymore.

Looking at the e-com site for that seller:

On their website
Sea-Quest Pro QD SL = £285

Same thing on ebay = £229.99

Hmm