Travel BC's vs Standard Bc's, newbie question.

[Planedriver]

Hello,

Im thinking about buying my own gear and have questions on BC's. I live in Toronto where all the dives are colder fresh water. I travel a lot and want to dive most of the hot spots around the planet as well.

With all this new stuff and gear to search through I was wondering about travel BC's. I travel with carryon only 99% of the time. Will these "travel" units really save a lot of space? Are they worth the extra money? Should I just get a normal one and figure out a way to make it fit? Do most folks have 2 BCs, or one for cold and rent one down south?

What would make the most sense for my situation? I want to dive up here, and down in the tropics. I want something thats good quality and wont need replacing ever few years.

Cheers

 

[Rhone Man]

Everyone else will say it, so I might as well kick off:

If you get a Backplate and two different wings, you can use the same rig and just switch wings (and strip out your D-rings) when you travel somewhere warmer. A BP/W rig will pack down smaller than just about any "travel BCD" on the market.

 

[claymore]

I will put in a plug for the Zeagle Express Tech BCD. It is flexible BackPlate with webbing harness and interchangeable wings. It is very light and compact in its basic form. It can be modified by adding padding, D rings, Deluxe Harness, Multiple weight systems, different wings, just about any thing you can add to a metal back plate. The ET is a one size fits all because as in back plates all the sizing is done in the straps.

If you get one with the 30 or 36# bladder instead of the 24# you can use it in both warm and cold water as the larger bladders will not take up much more space or add much weight.

I use mine for diving here in Minnesota and when I travel and love it. I can get my whole kit (except for fins) ET with weight pouches and deluxe harness, regs, mask, SMB, snorkel, 3 mil shorty, small camera housing and various small bits in one carry on. I do not disassemble anything on the ET just lay it in, if it was disassembled it could be packed smaller.

There have been several threads on this forum about the Express Tech.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...h-first-last-bc-most-will-ever-need-want.html

 

[DevonDiver]

Read this thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/buoyancy-compensators-bcs-weight-systems/374570-bp-w-vs-jacket-vs-travel-bc.html#post5792195

IMHO, they are all different types of BCDs and all perform the exact same functions.

A travel BCD is simply any sort of BCD that is made with a focus on light weight and reduced bulk. They are gaining popularity due to increasing airline baggage weight restrictions/costs.

A BP&W (Backplate and Wing) is a modular design of BCD, based around a solid backplate (steel, aluminum or nylon) to which you attach your choice of wing (bladder) and harness. You can also attach other functional elements, such as integrated weighting and pockets, if required.

Obviously, the modular design is a benefit in itself; as it allows the diver to specifically customize their rig for their own requirements. As such, it is very popular with divers who prefer a minimalist approach to their diving (more streamlined, less bulky).

Another issue is fitting. A BP&W can be put together and adjusted to create a perfect fit for the individual diver. This makes it a very good for 'odd-sized' divers. However, most BP&W users (of any size) will testify that they tend to fit much better than the standard jacket BCD. One reason for this is that the variable volume bladder (the wing) is mounted behind the diver and does not envelop them like a jacket BCD does. This means that the fit of the BCD does not vary when the diver adds or removes air to the bladder.

Another benefit of the modular BP&W approach is that it can easily be adapted or upgraded over time. This creates some element of 'future proofing' as the diver's needs and requirements alter over time and experience. The BP&W can be upgraded for double tanks and can easily form the basis for a full technical or cave diving configuration.

Most BP&W divers will also state that the BP&W enables more instinctive development of good horizontal trim and buoyancy. This is because the backplate itself spreads a proportion of the diver's weight over the length of their torso and, in addition, the bladder (wing) itself allows an even spread of air/buoyancy. In contrast, the use of a weightbelt and jacket bcd tends to create a 'see-saw' buoyancy problem, where a weightbelt (below the 'fulcrum/balance point of a horizontally trimmed diver - lower torso/hips) pulls down the diver's lower body, whilst the compensating air (above the fulcrum/balance point of a horizontally trimmed diver - upper torso) raises their upper body.

BP&Ws tend to have less material and bulk than jacket BCDs. This should logically increase their stream-lining through the water. A more stream-lined diver will encounter less water resistance and therefore expend less energy on a dive. Less energy/effort expended should also reflect in a lower air consumption. The streamlined nature of a BP&W is also highly popular with divers who operate in restrictively sized environments; such as caves or inside shipwrecks.

 

[Kryssa]

I would be very impressed to see if you try to travel "carry-on" only with a full kit and clothing. (I'm talking legitimate carry-on size and weight, not the scuba bag that you have to fit length-wise into the overhead.) My husband and I can pack for a week with 1 checked bag and 1 carryon, but there is no way to get a BC, fins, lights, and regs, into a carry on and have it weigh less than 40 lbs.

Or maybe there is and I dont know it. I have a Transpac, Aeris regs, and Tusa Zoom fins. These seem to be the heaviest/bulkiest of the gear if we don't include batteries for my lights. Computer, mask, and camera go in my backpack that fits under the seat in front of me.

 

[Planedriver]

Guys, thanks fro all the responses. While you were writing them, i was finishing up my certification in 4" vis in a lake.

Kryssa, I'll take you challenge. I live out of a carry on bag. Here my trick for fins. In our airline bags there is a flat zipper pocket on the main part just lower from the handle. Cut a slit in the bottom of it and shove your fins though. The feet part keep them in there. I also tie my camera bag to my handel. Carryon = 2 pieces. There ya go.

 

[DevonDiver]

I would be very impressed to see if you try to travel "carry-on" only with a full kit and clothing.... I can pack for a week with 1 checked bag and 1 carryon, but there is no way to get a BC, fins, lights, and regs, into a carry on and have it weigh less than 40 lbs.

This would be a solution, for tropical destinations (I've over-estimated on the weights, where accurate figures aren't available):

Oxycheq ultra-light travel backplate (0.56lbs)
Hog harness (less d-rings) (0.5lbs)
Oxycheq Mach V 18lb wing (<3lbs)
4th Element Thermocline set (3mm Neoprene Equiv) (<2lbs)
Force Fins(3lbs)
Lightweight booties (.5lb)
Scubapro Mk25/S2600 titanium w/ myflex hoses (<3lbs)
Mask (<.25lbs)
Suunto D9 (worn on wrist for travel)

All packs into carry-on, with room for some clothes and toileteries.