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At 08:43 AM 11/21/95 -0800, Randy Johnston wrote:

>        I am in the market for a BCD, I have looked at a few different types
>and I must say the selection is a bit overwelming.
>        My main criteria is simplicity of design, good snug fit, good bouancy,
>  ( I am 6' tall and weigh 195lbs, I dive almost exclusivly in a dry suit)
>and no sissy colours. ( I thought neon was dead?)
>
>        So far I have narrowed my choices down to the following two:
>
>                : DiveRite transpac -w- sportwings
>                : Zeagle Ranger 
>
>        I am sure there are many opinions about these products and my mind
>is by no means "made up", so I am willing to take suggestions for other
>brands of BCD.
>
>        As a final point I do live in Canada " The Choosen Frozen " so I
>would appreciate information about procucts available for purchase up here
>in the north.
>
>        Ps. If, as I suspect, this topic has been beaten to death on this
>list, please e-mail me directly so as to not create a " Fire storm -o-
>Flaming ". I couldn't resist. :-]
>                Thanks in advance...

You didn't mention what kind of diving you do. If you're serious about what
something that "simplicity of design" is a must, then the transpack is out.
It's not "simplicity itself".

If what you do is some good old fashioned open water diving, nothing where
you need doubles, etc. then go find a good quality jacket bc. I personally
have a "Forte'" for my OW diving. It's comfortable, and does what I want it
to do. It isn't gadgety either. 

If what you want is a good "BC for technical diving" then get a set of wings
and a backplate/harness. A simple harness, just a continuous piece of
webbing through a backplate. The dive rite "original wings" (as they're now
called) work fine with a back plate. They offer plenty of lift (55lbs),
which should be plenty unless you're carrying Brent Scarabin's 70' bottle
(private joke). 

The backplate/wings combo should be cheaper too. I think the Zeagle Ranger
goes for around $350 or so. The transpack I don't even want to think about.
Wings/Backplate should be less then $300.

Ken

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