Back inflate BCD

[outofofficebrb]

I have the non-i3 Aqualung Dimension and I love it - although I think that mainly you love your own BCD regardless of brand and style because it fits properly and you learn where everything is (we have a Zeagle Ranger and a Mares Kaila in our house as well and their respective owners love them despite all 3 being very different BCDs).

I can see why you would get that impression with the weight pockets, it does take a while to get used to getting them in. However, they do make a very positive click when they are locked, and I haven't had any problems with them coming out with up to 8lbs in each pocket (although I'm down to 4lbs per pocket now - 60-70F, 5mm wetsuit). That they do take time to get used to is perhaps a negative in some ways, but all new gear has a learning curve.

I looked at the i3 version and it seemed that people who owned it liked it, but it just seemed like so much to go wrong, so I got my LDS to order in the one without it.

I'm glad you went with a standard hose. Simple is sometimes better but that discussion is for another thread.

I'm also glad you haven't had any issues with the weight pockets. The ones I have witnessed having issues with the weight pockets tended to be older BCs which can be attributed to wear and tear, but also when more weight has been put in it (more than 8 pounds in each pocket). The local diving here can get down to 45F so more exposure protection, therefore more weighting, is needed. I have two friends (soon to be husband and wife!) that have the Dimension i3 and they are experienced divers and have had their BCs for a while...It's in very good condition but they both had their weight pockets drop on them on a shore dive. The same shore dive. Due to the poor viz, we were unable to find it. That is just one instance of a few and my observations and experiences may be purely anecdotal. You are correct in that all new gear has a learning curve and an aspect of getting familiar with it, but I also see this as a potential safety issue (dropping both while wearing an 8/7 semidry, yikes!) and annoyance. No issue, no problem. Everyone's experience is obviously different but I felt I owed it to the OP to share my experiences.

As you mention, fit and comfort and individual experiences may vary!

 

[David Novo]

What about SP Litehawk? Does it have enough lift for 28 lbs lead (In a drysuit)?

 

[EireDiver606]

What is the best back inflate BCD with integrated weight currently available (excluding an actual BPW)? Scubapro Hydros Pro, Apeks Black Ice, other?

I wouldn’t recommend the Apeks Black Ice and I’m an Apeks fan.

It is too expensive for what it is, it has too much lift capacity (40lbs I believe) that you do not need for single tank diving. You apparently can dive twin 10L with it but I would highly not recommend you do that. It is very big and cumbersome and I certainly wouldn’t fly with at at 5kg in weight.

On the other hand, it is designed to provide the comfort desired for daily diving and the features needed to take you deeper (because it has a bigger bladder).
It is rugged and made from abrasion resistant materials and looks very durable. It also has a lot of integrated weight pockets, with 4.5 kg non ditchable in the back. Also it has Solas tape on the shoulder. It certainly is a badass bcd but not for the price tag.

I personally wouldn’t buy it, as it’s too expensive for what it is but it would be a comfortable and durable investment. Don’t buy it you want to fly a lot overseas a lot.


Have you looked into the Oceanic BioLite? It looks a bit weak but very light.

 

[Belzelbub]

What about SP Litehawk? Does it have enough lift for 28 lbs lead (In a drysuit)?

Doubtful. Looks like the litehawk provides 29 lbs of lift. Can't tell how much weight the integrated pockets can hold, but the lift doesn't appear to be enough.

 

[EireDiver606]

Doubtful. Looks like the litehawk provides 29 lbs of lift. Can't tell how much weight the integrated pockets can hold, but the lift doesn't appear to be enough.

29lbs is fine. I dive the same he does and it’s fine but a bit close

 

[Dogbowl]

Have you looked into the Oceanic BioLite? It looks a bit weak but very light.

I can assure you that if the Biolite was used for its intended purpose (warm water vacation diving), it is not weak and it is absolutely da bomb. It is light at approx 5.5lbs, has 2 weight pockets on the waist strap and 2 on the cam strap included. No extra cost! Those pockets can fit upto 24lbs. The back has a small rigid piece of thickish plastic to support your tank so not a flimsy back. And the lift is 32lbs or more (depending on size), more than enough for warm water diving. See and feel it in person - you will be impressed. I compared this side by side with the Aqualungs and Scubapros (the lightweight travel ones) and we both chose this one (hubby and me).

I know the OP mentioned he wanted something “middle-of-the-road” so I couldn’t honestly think of anything to recommend. My opinion is that a bcd that tries to appeal to everyone and tries to cover every diving situation (i.e. a “middle-of-the-road” bcd) is a bcd that excels at nothing. That’s my personal opinion and you might have yours so please no flaming!

As a result, I always buy dive equipment for its intended purpose. That is, I have a lightweight dedicated bcd for when I travel to warm waters. I also have a customizable harness/wing setup (soft backplate) for local diving, where I can switch out the wing size depending on the situation.

But I also get that some people want only one bcd for whatever reason so I guess in that case, a “middle-of-the-road” one would make sense.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Zeagle express tech get a lot of good reviews. I like mine a lot.

My point was really not to enter in a BWP discussion, that is why I was trying to find options, excluding BWP.

I liked mine, too, though I ended up switching to a regular BP/W. As I see it, the Express Tech is a BP/W like any other, except that the plate is made of soft-ish plastic, and the wing is attached in a non-standard way. If the OP is after a traditional style BC with the air cell completely on the back, that's not really the Express Tech.

 

[David Novo]

29lbs is fine. I dive the same he does and it’s fine but a bit close

Would you be able to be buoyant at surface level if drysuit floods?

 

[rsingler]

Would you be able to be buoyant at surface level if drysuit floods?

Drop some/all lead. That's the one time...

 

[BoltSnap]

What about SP Litehawk? Does it have enough lift for 28 lbs lead (In a drysuit)?

Nope, it isn't made for this type of diving. Seahawk is best overall choice!