Posted by AADIVER on January 03, 2005 at 16:33:55:
In Reply to: Backplate & wing vs. BCD posted by Mike on January 02, 2005 at 19:26:29:
In '64 I started with an orally inflated horse collar, then came the first BC, several of which I dove with 'til '98 when the DIR dudes "lured" me into the Halcyon bp and wing. Now, whether it's Halcyon, Dive-Rite, Oxychex, et al, I wouldn't dive a jacket type BCD if you gave me one. I dive dry with a Halcyon Pioneer 36 wing, steel backplate, Sherwood Genesis steel 120, sometimes with a pony "tamed" beside it, and a DUI harness weight belt with 4 lbs in each pocket, and Scuba Pro XL Jetfins w/out ankle weights. Works for me, but then I'm only 72 years old ;-) And I ain't no stinkin' DIR zealot. I dive "solo con Dios".
Bottom line: go to a dive shop with a pool and try out both. Then buy what gives you the maximum comfort and self-confidence, regardless the price. Welcome back to the best sport those Frenchies ever created.