What's the advantage of a BP?

[Metal man]

Wow! Thanks for all of the input folks. I'll definately be renting a set up and trying it out, possibly tomorrow
I wish I could get out there on a Tuesday but I work when most people are out playing...or in bed for that matter.

[Tangfish]

In fact you can spend a few days here and Scubaboard reading the pros and cons of a bp/w.

There are cons?

Scott

The cons are also what most consider to be pros: this is a piece of metal with webbing pulled through it. It's not a very sophisticated or inherently ergonomic piece of equipment. But, it is fairly customizable, so if you want to spend the money and time tinkering with a bunch of accessories, clips, buckles attachments, cutting and burning the webbing, etc., etc., etc. - then maybe a BP/W is for you. I personally typically prefer to buy products that have three dimensional design elements and thought put toward ergonomics. Again, take what I say with a grain of salt because I actually dive a BP/W here in the PNW, but only because a Megalodon canister would look really silly attached to a jacket BC

[vbcoachchris]

In fact you can spend a few days here and Scubaboard reading the pros and cons of a bp/w.

There are cons?

Scott

The cons are also what most consider to be pros: this is a piece of metal with webbing pulled through it. It's not a very sophisticated or inherently ergonomic piece of equipment. But, it is fairly customizable, so if you want to spend the money and time tinkering with a bunch of accessories, clips, buckles attachments, cutting and burning the webbing, etc., etc., etc. - then maybe a BP/W is for you. I personally typically prefer to buy products that have three dimensional design elements and thought put toward ergonomics. Again, take what I say with a grain of salt because I actually dive a BP/W here in the PNW, but only because a Megalodon canister would look really silly attached to a jacket BC

Now I understand “con” was just a synonym for some of the “pros”.

Scott

[spatman]

Or you take a lot of PADI classes that require that you don and doff your BC at the surface?

I've taken off my BP/W on the surface twice. Release waist buckle, undo crotch strap, undo drysuit hose and take off bungied octo if so equipped, slide one arm out, slide other arm out. I wasn't in a pool either. Granted I haven't tried putting it on in the water but I don't see how it'd be overwhelmingly difficult.

fwiw, i've doffed my bp/w at the surface 3x, donned at the surface 2x, as well as doffed and donned on a sandy bottom in 20' of water. it's really not any more or less difficult than when i did it with a jacket BC. just takes a little practice and be sure to keep your reg in your mouth for the donning part. especially in 20' of water.

[Metal man]

Thanks Spatman for that link to the not so long ago thread on this subject, it was very helpful.
The whole part about being streamlined, having your weight distributed, and the simplicity of the set up just really appeals to me. For some reason I think I'll miss the pockets, even though I have yet to use one

[Nwbrewer]

For some reason I think I'll miss the pockets, even though I have yet to use one

Not a problem. Fully customizable -

http://www.diveriteexpress.com/bcs/pockets.shtml

Or you do like most folks and get a Drysuit with pockets. I have a thigh pocket similar to the diverite one, but I only use it on some dives. For the most part I find that not having pockets makes it so I don't take crap I don't need.

[Dusty2]

Pockets? You want pockets? All the BP/Wing mfg make pockets that actually "fit" on the waist belt better than most BCD's

But hey. You are basically hearing only one side of the argument here and all those companies producing BCDs aren't doing it for laughs. There are allot of folks out there that actually dive BCDs all there diving lives and do so quite effectively even here in the northwest. I have even been in several shops that don't even stock BP/wings although they will order one for you.

Best advice is get out there and try all the types you can and make your own mind up. Don't buy cause that's what all the guys out there are wearing. Buy what works for you and hey if it's green or chartreuse who the hell cares at least your buddy will know you from the rest of the crowd!

[spatman]

For some reason I think I'll miss the pockets, even though I have yet to use one

you could always add pockets to your wetsuit/drysuit if you find you need them.

[Penopolypants]

probably something about getting a lime-green slap upside your head if you go there....

Tru dat. Scott, about that ride.....

Could be that you're really into lime green dive gear?

-Eric

There's gotta be a Penopolypants joke in there somewhere....

Also maybe they <insert crotch strap related joke here>?

This isn't it already?

I am soooo getting a lime green crotch strap now!!

[spatman]

I am soooo getting a lime green crotch strap now!!

this i have to see!

[Metal man]

I am soooo getting a lime green crotch strap now!!

this i have to see!

Ooooh, look at all the pretty colors!! I could look like a true fish lure

[Sockmonkey]

Thanks Spatman for that link to the not so long ago thread on this subject, it was very helpful.
The whole part about being streamlined, having your weight distributed, and the simplicity of the set up just really appeals to me. For some reason I think I'll miss the pockets, even though I have yet to use one

When I'm diving wet (in the tropics) I use X-shorts. Dorky? Way.

-Eric

[Diver_C]

I think "FUFU" means that he thinks these are for wussies (like fu-fu drinks).

[spatman]

if josh got even the smallest royalty each time that photo was used, he'd never have to buy sorb again...

[Tangfish]

heh..... heheh

[Joshua Smith]

Another good one. Am I photogenic, or what?

[spatman]

before:

after:

[whatevah]

For some reason I think I'll miss the pockets, even though I have yet to use one

Try using the pockets some - chances are you'll come to despise them like everybody else does

[airsix]

My first BCD had this cool feature: inflating it would eject the pocket contents. I was like an aquatic jack-in-the-box. Or if you were below me... piñata.
-Ben

[Sounder]

My first BCD had this cool feature: inflating it would eject the pocket contents. I was like an aquatic jack-in-the-box. Or if you were below me... piñata.
-Ben

Coooooooool!!!

[Tangfish]

[dsteding]

Is that a coast guard boat on his back?

[cardiver]

Is that a coast guard boat on his back?

I can't believe you survived that dive! I heard that you will die a horrible death if your wing is bungeed......I guess you got lucky!

[Joshua Smith]

Is that a coast guard boat on his back?

I can't believe you survived that dive! I heard that you will die a horrible death if your wing is bungeed......I guess you got lucky!

I got lucky. Notice all the retractors and stuff? They didn't kill me, either.

[dsteding]

I got lucky. Notice all the retractors and stuff? They didn't kill me, either.

It is a miracle.

Please tell me this was a couple years ago and not "nostalgia day" at Cove 2 last weekend.