Another "buying my first BCD" thread

[Ironborn]

I am going to be buying my first BCD soon. I am looking for a weight-integrated, back-inflated, and travel-friendly BCD for use in Caribbean vacation dives. My leading candidate at this point is the Aqualung Zuma, which has all three features that I want, but I am concerned about its lack of a tank support plate (correct me if I am wrong) and some reports of tank instability in this BCD. Also, I am a big guy (6'3', 240) and would like to use aluminum 100s from time to time, and I was uncertain as to if or how well the Zuma would work with larger tanks.

 

[jonhall]

Have had mine since June of 2010. After 100 dives (mostly Caribbean) I've had no problems with stability or using steel or aluminum tanks. I also am a big guy (6'4" and 225 lbs) and don't recall any problems with different size tanks...only my long legs in a small boat!

Although I like mine a lot, I still wish it had more D-rings. Mine only had 2 but the new ones have 4. That it has no tank support plate is one of the things that makes it travel friendly. It does have a padded back/lumbar support which allows for a couple of different ways to pack it in a suitcase/bag such as by rolling it up.

 

[Ironborn]

Have had mine since June of 2010. After 100 dives (mostly Caribbean) I've had no problems with stability or using steel or aluminum tanks. I also am a big guy (6'4" and 225 lbs) and don't recall any problems with different size tanks...only my long legs in a small boat!

Although I like mine a lot, I still wish it had more D-rings. Mine only had 2 but the new ones have 4. That it has no tank support plate is one of the things that makes it travel friendly. It does have a padded back/lumbar support which allows for a couple of different ways to pack it in a suitcase/bag such as by rolling it up.

Thank you for the feedback. Yes, it sounds like a good product, and I just wanted to make sure that there would not be any tank stability or support problems, especially with larger tanks.

Have you been able to fit it into a standard-sized carry-on bag? If so, were you able to fit all of your other gear into that carry-on too?

The number of D rings is a low priority for me, but it sounds like it would not be a problem now that the newer ones have more anyway.

 

[jonhall]

Have you been able to fit it into a standard-sized carry-on bag? If so, were you able to fit all of your other gear into that carry-on too?

Can easily fit BCD into carry-on and could probably get everything but fins in a standard carry-on, but wouldn't have room for much else.

On the way to wherever we go I put it in my carry-on, along with what I think are my most important diving components: reg, prescription mask, computer, and SeaLife camera housing. Usually roll it up and still have room for clothes and other items. Put everything else in checked bag. On the way back home, I put bcd (along with the camera housing) in my checked bag with my wetsuit, fins, snorkel, collapsable dive bag, and other diving odds and ends, as well as clothes and other items.

On the way, I figure if my checked bag winds up not making it, I can rent what I need; and on the way back, if checked bag doesn't make it, I can get myself some new gear!

 

[RayfromTX]

I liked my Zuma until I got my backplate and wing. Now I have a Zuma hanging unused. It has about 20 dives on it. The things it lacks are a proper harness that can accept accessories easily, a crotch strap to keep it from riding up and it isn't as easy to dive in trim without trim weights. The bp/w cost the same as the zuma. I view it as a costly mistake.