Diving wing vs bcd Jan 8, 2025 路 Wing buoyancy runs the length of the spine, as per a normal wing, backplates are fixed-length and diver trim is achieved by trim weighting (the same as in backmount diving). Wearing a BPW setup changes your diving for the better. Backplate and Wing BCD. First dives in my new infinity bc today. Each type has advantages and disadvantages, catering to various diving preferences and experience levels. With the multiple sizing options, this BCD is great for younger divers and will grow with them. Essential BCD Features for Optimal Dive. The best backplate and wing BCD for your diving. There are three main types of scuba BCD: jacket or vest, back-inflate, and wing. With a jacket, the air moving around different parts of the bladder can cause us to roll around in the water. A mushy mix of plastic and not so durable fabrics vs a solid steel plate with a rugged harness and cordura fabric protected wing. Over the years manufacturing has progressed and enabled new and more efficient products to the diving market, with the wing the "new kid" on the block. Nov 17, 2024 路 They offer the best of both jacket-style and wing-style BCDs, providing a versatile and comfortable diving experience. This is more of a general consideration, but when shopping for a BCD, you should consider how deep you plan on diving. This guide simplifies the process so you can find the perfect fit for your diving style. The rule of thumb with selecting whether to go for a wing style BCD, a normal jacket style BCD, or a rear inflation style BCD is your experience level. Let’s dive into some of the most popular BCD styles below. Now the other main type of BCD is a wing and backplate set-up. Generally, the jacket style bcd's that I have used felt like lower quality compared to a wing. After a couple of years of diving, and no end of people telling me I’d love a backplate and wing system (BPW), I decided to take the plunge and buy myself my own set up. Other scuba divers opt for a hybrid BCD – a scuba BCD that, by virtue of its unique design attributes, is able to perform as well in May 9, 2025 路 We do recommend the Cressi Aquawing BCD. g. Extra features Modern ADV BCDs come with lots of bells and whistles, some of them very useful, others plain pointless. Sometimes, even the d-rings on jacket bcds are made from plastic and flex under heavy load. These kits are completely modular, consisting of a solid backplate (made of aluminum, steel or carbon fiber), 2” webbing that acts as the shoulder, waist and crotch straps, a wing that provides the kit with lift, and a tank adapter to Apr 15, 2024 路 Which BCD style is best for diving? The best BCD style for trim and buoyancy optimization is a backplate/wing configuration which is also the lightest and most versatile of them. In contrast, Mexican cave diving primarily used aluminium cylinders. Thank you for providing informative and easy access content for divers馃槑馃嚘馃嚭馃憤 Jan 29, 2009 路 I dive single 80cf Aluminum in moderate OW conditions, nothing extreme. Your BCD directly impacts your comfort, trim, and buoyancy control underwater. OMS has built it’s core business around patented backplate designs, unique harness systems, wings in multiple lifts and designs, fins and technical diving accessories. Nov 22, 2019 路 Featured Product: Cressi Start BCD (Jacket-Style BCD) Vest-style or front adjustable jacket BCDs could be the most common BCD style among divers. A stable, comfortable and ergonomic BCD that is truly ZEN. Wing-Style BCD Sep 6, 2018 路 A jacket style, a wing or maybe a semi-wing? There are three main types of scuba diving bcds and all of them have pros and cons. Types of Scuba BCD. This type of BCD requires setup and assembly before use and isn’t for beginners. Traditionally, jacket-style BCDs have been the go-to choice for many divers. Nov 22, 2022 路 It has to do with the way adjustment works on different types of BCDs. A normal jacket style BCD offers good all round buoyancy when it's inflated. Head-to-Head Testing How We Test. For those diving with a single tank, exploring options like the Scuba Single Tank Wings can be a great starting point, offering tailored lift capacities and profiles suited for recreational use and Aug 11, 2022 路 You cannot switch out parts of the BCD jacket making them less customisable than a wing set-up. will add to your safety and overall enjoyment during the dive. It’s a perfect setup for the BPW diver looking for a travel-specific unit, a diver looking to transition from a jacket-style BCD, or even as an everyday BCD. May 30, 2025 路 Backplate and Wing BCD Buying Guide What is a backplate and wing BCD? A backplate & wing (BPW) style is a back-inflation style BCD features a flat rectangular metal plate that is held onto your back with a harness. Nov 17, 2023 路 Introduction: For scuba divers, choosing the right buoyancy control device (BCD) is a crucial decision that can significantly impact the comfort and safety of their underwater adventures. Jacket BCD. Mar 28, 2023 路 3. Extremely streamlined and comfortable, this is important when we hit current in Alor. Your BCD is the backbone of your scuba setup, providing buoyancy control, stability, and gear integration. Wing BCD or Jacket BCD There has been a surge in wing-style BCDs in the scuba diving community over the last little while, due in large part to the fact that they are lighter and therefore more convenient to travel with, but they tend to also be unisex because the harness has an adjustable sternum strap. Jacket-Style BCD vs. 65. The first noticable positive effect of switching to a wing system is great trim, or positioning, in the water. Otherwise, you risk diving a system that is too big or too small for the diving you undertake. This and maybe split fits are some of the most divisive topics in scuba diving. Your trim generally becomes better and there Dec 11, 2020 路 Great insight into the BCD jacket v Backplate Wings v Back inflate BCD’s options available for (in my case) recreational diving & without introducing CCR’s with its pros & cons. As a result, it will have a tendency to turn the diver face down while at the surface. It is a great BCD from a great manufacturer. We should always aim to dive in a horizontal position, but jackets can hinder this positioning. This type of BCD is growing in popularity for several reasons. Mar 4, 2025 路 Whether you’re a new diver or a seasoned pro, selecting between a jacket-style BCD and a wing-style BCD can make a big difference in your diving experience. This bladder also inflates in front, beside, and behind divers. Also, it helps keep me neutrally buoyant while diving in the muck looking for critters. The air bladder goes around the scuba tank and looks sort of like a horse shoe around the tank. Feb 11, 2025 路 A bare-bones backplate/wing system, the Hollis STS is great for any diver looking to upgrade to BPW diving or one just looking for a new setup. These cylinders become positively buoyant as gas is depleted; that buoyancy shift, in turn, impacts A simple backplate, with one piece web harness and crotch strap, supporting 5 d-rings and a wing, is all you need. 00 WSX-45 SIDEMOUNT SYSTEM COMPLETE - Dive BCD. Diving Wing vs. Looking to buy your first BCD to add to your Scuba Gear setup? We're giving you 5 similarities and 6 differences between jacket-style BCDs and a Back Plate & Apr 17, 2019 路 To avoid diving locally with an under-powered travel BCD, or lugging an over-powered general-purpose BCD halfway around the world, some divers choose to own two scuba BCDs – one for home and one for vacation. I still have it and dive regularly, it hasn't failed me over the years. Selecting the right lift capacity is important for safe and enjoyable dives. 25 Pineview Dr. A wing BCD, or Back Inflate BCD has it’s air bladder concentrated at the back of the dive. Also, often the chest straps are removed on a ladies BCD to avoid constriction across the bust. Built with a combination of the same 1,000-denier Cordura and the bespoke OceanSeal material as the Escape, the TravelWing is a back-inflation-style jacket that comes with an integrated weight system as standard, although the pockets can be extended and used for storage if the diver prefers to use a weight belt or harness. These and other OMS products are world renown for their innovative design and robustness. Choosing the right Scuba BCD, or Buoyance Control Device is crucial to having a great dive. Learning such little details as where your pockets and D-rings are, how exactly your weight system works, etc. My primary question is, are there significant differences/pros/cons to the various shape wings: a) horseshoe (e. Size the wing for the tank/s you will be diving, do not try to use a doubles wing on a single. It wasn’t so long ago that mine might be the only wing on the dive boat. A jacket-style BCD is a wearable sleeveless jacket with a built-in air bladder that wraps around the diver. Apr 13, 2017 路 This type of BCD originates from technical diving, where divers are using a twinset of two tanks or a rebreather. Oct 12, 2022 路 Wing vs BCD - Is one better? When you are in the market for your buoyancy compensator device, which is better the Wing system or jacket BCD, there is plenty to keep in mind. Best Hybrid Travel BCD Aqua Lung Zuma. Sidemount BCD. The BCD is much less bulky than all other designs, but the May 4, 2023 路 AP Diving Travelwing €469. 00 WTX-D30 COMPLETE KIT - Dive BCD with aluminium plate. Having said that I use a backplate and wing for all my fun diving and dive trips. Jun 10, 2019 路 SIDEMOUNT: A departure from the classic diving style in which tanks are mounted on the diver’s back, sidemount allows divers to wear their tanks under each arm to minimise the profile of the diver underwater, especially useful for navigating tight spaces when cave or wreck diving. WTX-D60TR TWIN CYLINDER WINGS - Dive BCD. However, if integrated weight systems, pockets, or other convenient features are wanted, a hybrid back-bladder wing BCD is the best choice. 00 Aug 29, 2024 路 Jump to Results. Two of the most popular types of buoyancy control device are wing BCDs and jacket style BCDs but while both serve essentially the same purpose, they are also surprisingly distinct. Sourced via research in our group, here are some of the Girls that Scuba community’s most loved BCDs. The NX ZEN is so named for a reason; that feeling of being ‘at one’ with the world that diving brings. In recent years, wing-style BCs have appeared in single-tank diving. However, the principles of buoyancy stay the same whether you are single tank diving in the Bahamas or Twin-Set-Side-Mount Cave exploring in the dark! A Wing is essentially a stripped-down BCD with a few slight design changes. Unlike most other BCDs, the backplate and wing is a modular system, in that it consists of separable components. Like the previous type, wing BCDs are present on the back of the diver and are mostly used for technical dives. 2 components make up the wing BCD; a wing and a backplate. Selecting the right wings diving system is a personal journey, shaped by your diving style, typical environments, and even the type of tank you use. Buoyancy is provided by the doughnut-shaped bladder (the “wing”) that goes between the metal backplate and your back. They inflate around you, giving you the feeling of a hug. Suite B • Buffalo • NY • 14228. Selected as a favorite of test divers, the T-Wing is our Testers Choice for back-plate/wing BCs. The Best Wing BCD (with pockets) Oceanic Excursion. The Wing. Divers recorded their observations about each BC’s performance and assigned scores from 5 (excellent) to 1 (poor) in each of the following categories: Sep 1, 2023 路 A Backplate/Wing BCD will give you the best flexibility for any kind of diving so you never have to buy another one again. With daily discussions in our thriving Facebook group, we know a thing or two about the dive equipment which is most loved by women. The Best High-End Modular Dive BCD (wing or jacket) Scubapro Hydros Pro / X. It's a balance of physics, equipment configuration, and environmental conditions, ensuring the ability to navigate the underwater world with grace and control. Based on the above criteria I would say a jacket style BCD is far simpler and user friendly for novice divers. May 19, 2022 路 Scuba diving, a Buoyancy Compensator (BDC) vs a Back Plate and wing, is always a topic many people are passionate about. After a while, I decided to purchase my own. Apr 5, 2022 路 When it comes to setting up your dive kit, these are an easy setup, which is another reason why they’re so popular, as they’re easy to attach to the air tank. 6 to 18 kg) of lift is usually sufficient. Types of BCDs The scuba BCDs have great styles, but the jacket, back-inflate, and wing are three fundamental types. In this video we tell you al Mar 30, 2020 路 A backplate and wing (often abbreviated as BP&W or BP/W) is a type of scuba harness with an attached buoyancy compensation device (BCD) which establishes neutral buoyancy underwater and positive buoyancy on the surface. The Wing and Backplate Set Up. How to Choose the Right BCD: Jacket vs. The three main types of diving BCD are the Jacket-style BCD, the Backplate & Wing (BP&W) BCD, and the Rear-Inflate BCD. Most BPW divers have several wings, for different tank sizes / environments. Styles: Wings vs Jackets vs Rear Inflation. Wing: Choosing the right buoyancy compensator (BC) is a critical decision for scuba divers, whether you are just starting out or have logged hundreds of dives. These days, sidemount scuba diving is gaining popularity, and this BCD is designed specifically for that purpose. . Jan 21, 2025 路 Overall Winner: The Best Dive BCD for Most Cressi Travelight. A backplate and wing BCD is modular. If parts of your BCD are to break, e. The Wing style of buoyancy control stemmed from Technical diving and the associated requirements. Single cylinder wings, often referred to as donuts, are oval shaped air cells or bladders that are not permanently attached to a harness. It includes a metal backplate with a belt and a mountable wing Diving Equipment Trials: Wing Vs BCD In these days of Diving there is so much new equipment that is being produced that getting something that suits you as a diver can be a minefield. Hybrid. 6 to 27 kg) of lift is recommended. Feb 12, 2025 路 For single-tank recreational diving, a wing with 30 to 40 pounds (13. Whereas, a Wing style BCD only has inflation on the rear. , larger wings for technical dives with twin tanks) Best for: Technical divers and those who want a tailored dive experience; 5. Backplate and Wing – The Preferred Technical Dive BCD. The design includes a metal backplate, harness and detachable air bladders surrounding the backplate. Dec 14, 2024 路 For most divers, choosing a backplate and wing over a traditional BCD will transform your diving. But, once you get used to it, there is no model more comfortable for technical applications. This is also a great option for those who want the trim that comes with a wing-style BCD without the added weight of a backplate/wing system. Nov 6, 2023 路 Customization: Divers can choose different wings for different dive scenarios (e. There are three main styles of BCDs: jacket-style, backplate & wing, and hybrid. However, if you make the transition, you’ll also need to be committed to the time and effort it takes to achieve a perfect fit and weight configuration. Backplate & Wing vs. The Best 'Weekender' Travel BCD Oceanic Jetpack. Mar 20, 2023 路 Choosing the right buoyancy control device (BCD) is essential for a safe and comfortable scuba diving experience. Love the cinch adjust, makes putting on and taking your gear off super easy. $849. Choosing the right Buoyancy Control Device (BCD) is one of the most important gear decisions for any diver. For cold-water or technical diving with doubles, a 50-60 lbs wing with 50 to 60 pounds (22. What’s more, you can customize the equipment as per your needs while it’s easy to wear even when fully inflated. So, whether you’re a recreational diver or a technical diver, a hybrid BCD could be your perfect diving partner. However, the backplate and wing system has gained popul Like most divers I started diving with a jacket style BCD, and as that’s what I’d learnt to dive in. In this guide, we’ll explain the differences between the two, their pros and cons, and recommend the best options available at Oyster Diving Shop. Just enough d rings to attach your tools for commercial use and the weight pockets and weighted single tank adapter makes the bc heavy enough that I don't have to wear a heap of weight on my belt. Aug 24, 2024 路 BCD vs. The only downside is that they cost more, but you’re guaranteed a premium-quality product in return. Additional BCD Buying Considerations Diving Style. Having extra lift can also be helpful in emergencies, such as assisting a dive buddy to the surface. Whether you're seeking streamlined performance, ease of use, or customization, there's a BCD style for you. This has been my favorite BCD to date, and will continue to use hollis wings in the Apr 25, 2024 路 It travels well, it’s comfortable, and it keeps divers streamlined in the water. OMS "Larry Green") Aug 24, 2021 路 The aluminum backplate makes it light for travel, yet a very sturdy wing system to use. Advances in materials technology, in diving design and our ability to apply modern engineering concepts created a dive system that delivered on our priorities. THE RESEARCH: A User Guide to the Best Dive BCDs May 20, 2025 路 We could come up with a few more situations like the above, but as you can see, these are very unlikely scenarios so rest assured that for recreational diving purposes, a properly sized BCD will offer you the lift you need. g clips and d rings, it can more difficult to get them fixed. Very happy. This final basic design is generally only used by technical divers for tech diving BCD. Jacket Style BCD. Feb 11, 2011 路 Assembling a back plate and wing takes time, especially the first time you do this. $999. • Buffalo Scuba Diving Center and the leading Scuba Diving Store where you can find the dive gear you are looking for • DIPNDIVE • 500 Niagara Falls Blvd • Buffalo • NY • 14223. Apr 24, 2024 路 Wing/Back Inflate BCD. If you plan on diving in cold water and/or plan on diving deep, then you will need a BCD with a high lift capacity. Your BC not only affects your comfort and safety underwater but also plays a vital role in your overall diving experience. Certain BCD features are vital for enhancing your diving performance. Aug 27, 2023 路 Backplate & Wing Style BCD’s are traditionally associated with technical diving, but in recent years have been widely accepted into the recreational field. If you ever ask us for advice on which BCD is best, then our answer is simple – get yourself a backplate and wing! You’ve no doubt noticed that backplate and wing style BCD’s have been rapidly gaining popularity throughout the last few years. The principle is very simple: the diver wears a harness that is attached to an aluminum or steel back-plate. Whether you're a beginner or a technical diver, choosing the right BCD is crucial for comfort and performance. Oct 3, 2023 路 When choosing a scuba BCD, understanding the differences between back inflate, jacket style, and backplate & wing systems is crucial. $949. Nov 21, 2021 路 The Dive Rite Transpac XT is a harness (webbing cut to your exact size) and wing system, perfect for diving in overhead environments like wrecks, caverns, and caves. While single cylinder wings have their origins in the realm of technical diving, they are becoming very popular in the recreational community. Trying to work out the best scuba BCD type for you and your diving? Read our guide to jackets vs wings first. Next up is the Backplate and Wing, this option is favoured among advanced and technical divers. About The Author Andy Davis is a RAID , PADI TecRec, ANDI, BSAC, and SSI-qualified independent technical diving instructor who specializes in teaching sidemount , trimix , and advanced wreck diving courses. Some divers decide to change over to the wing style BCD for the "techie" look. Wing BCD. Buoyancy is controlled via a large and easy to find corrugated hose featuring large and easy to use inflate and deflate buttons. You cannot always get impartial advice from your local dive store, as you need to buy the equipment and brands that they stock. Jul 28, 2010 路 The single biggest drawback of the back plate and wing BCD is the lack of pockets for dive accessories or weight integration pockets, which is why most recreational divers and divers starting out in Scuba Diving prefer Back Inflate or Vest Type BCD’s. Ergo Test Testing was conducted in fresh water by test divers at Blue Grotto Dive Resort in Williston, Florida. Honestly, didn't really know wings were a thing at the time when I was buying as I was a newly certified diver. With 35 pounds of lift, the Hollis STS has enough lift to ensure comfort while diving and stability on the surface. There are two main types of air bladder wing types namely the horseshoe shape or the donut shape. As a 6'2" skinny guy, diving with my BCD always balanced me in a feet down diving position wasting gas trying to stay horizontal Apr 18, 2019 路 3. Pros of a wing BCD. The bladder of the LTS provides 30lbs of lift in a 360 degree “donut wing” shape that allows air to travel freely around the wing for comfortable buoyancy on all parts of the dive. May 15, 2020 路 Easily customizable and suitable for a wide range of diving—including air travel—the TWing shows the flexibility and versatility offered by a backplate/ wing design. The backplate and Wings have more room for adjustment because of the versatile D-rings. A Jacket BCD is what you’ll be using as a beginner. Dec 30, 2022 路 Whether the BCD you go for has a jacket or wing style, it should provide at least 2 D-rings to keep your hands free as well as make your dive more fascinating. Having a BCD with the right fit and features can help you become a more confident, comfortable, and efficient diver. I'm considering upgrading from a Seaquest BCD to something a bit more technical like a DiveRite Transpac or an OMS IQ Pack. obib swgtf hmfv qffco pkqw hkvwuup prmqniz pngo gyxdw gxyytj