In the market for a Travel Lightweight BCD

[Scubanomad]

Here is my dilemma, traveling a lot overseas. I used to rent my gear but now have my own Regulator. Was thinking of getting a lightweight BCD simply because I hate the normal jackets they rent. Would like a back inflate aka wing.
Looked on the www for some, simply because I can't find a local dive shop with European equipment hence Cressi or Mares BCD's in the US area.
Scubatoys has them but they are far away.
I used to have a Zeagle Brigade from them, was great built quality but also a bit on the heavy side so I had sold it. Besides I don't know if I need service in SE Asia or Europe I can easily find a Zeagle dealer or Oceanic or any US manufacturer.

So I tend to fall back to Cressi. Any thoughts on the Cressi Air Travel vs other brands? Cressi Scuba Diving B.C.D Cressi Scuba Diving Equipment Airtravel BCD lightweight
How is the build quality, is it servicable in case the bladder gets damaged? Perhaps I should get a backplate / wing and piece it together myself?
Not sure if I can fit a Cressi with a integrated Octo and which one. Again if I need service I need a great worldwide dealer support network.

 

[diversteve]

Another option might be the Aqualung Zuma. It'll take an Airsource. They recently upgraded it to 420Denier fabric to match the Cressi: Zuma LeisurePro has them for $300 but that's w/o the mfr's. warranty. So you might pay the dealer price ($395?) for the warranty coverage if interested. Note that it only has the one pocket.

If you did want to take a chance on a Zeagle - besides the Express Tech, LP has the previous model of the Ranger Wicked Lite for $300 right now. It rolls up for travel and weighs 4lbs. What I like about it is that it's 1000Denier like my Ranger. I'm not thrilled with the graphics though. Zeagle Wicked Lite Ranger BCD at LeisurePro Or $459 with an Octo-Z alternate air source. Verify it but I'm fairly certain LeisurePro is an authorized Zeagle dealer now.

 

[doctormike]

Perhaps I should get a backplate / wing and piece it together myself?

There you go!

If you are concerned about weight, you can get an aluminum plate.

If you search for "every other thread on Scubabaord" you will see all the reasons why that's a good choice...



Safe diving...!

 

[Jim Lapenta]

What service would you even need on a bc? Inflator? Toss the old and put a new one on for 25 bucks. Dump valve? Rinse regularly and should be good for ten years or more. Rip the bladder? Replace it or the wing. Don't fall for the bs about needing to take your bc in for regular service. Simply not needed. Zeagle makes gear that is for all intents and purposes modular. Components can be replaced individually. I would consider that a big plus. It's why all my bc's except for sidemount are made that way. I own an express tech and a few bpw's.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[doctormike]

Dump valve? Rinse regularly and should be good for ten years or more.

Yeah, this is important, and something a lot of people forget to do. Just like with regulators, it's important to rinse with fresh water before it dries, since it's easier to flush out salt water than salt crystals.

Run a hose into the oral inflator mouthpiece, fill up the bladder a bit, turn it around a bit, drain it through the dump vale and a little through the inflator valve, and repeat.

 

[beaverdivers]

Have you considered Scubapro? They have world-wide warranty coverage. The Scubapro LiteHawk is an excellent light weight back inflate B.C.

 

[buddhasummer]

I too travel dive a lot. I use an aluminum plate and an 18lb wing. It's very light and packs well being flat. It also drys fast.

 

[Bigd2722]

I was under the impression that Zeagle had discontinued the Express Tech. Not so? If it's still available, it's an excellent choice for any recreational use

 

[teknitroxdiver]

I was under the impression that Zeagle had discontinued the Express Tech. Not so? If it's still available, it's an excellent choice for any recreational use

It's still on their website.

Another option is the Zeagle Covert (formerly the Wicked Lite) at 3.9 lbs or the Dive Rite TravelPac at around 5. I'm looking hard at the Dive Rite for my newly certified wife.

 

[CT Sean]

Zeagle still offers the Express Tech but only as a "deluxe" model with a fancy harness - nothing a dozen feet of 2" webbing and a stainless waist belt buckle won't solve.

My wife has the original and it is very nice (and was quite cheap) . If I didn't already have a BP/W, I would have ordered the ET for myself as well.