any recommendation for a traveler BC ?

[reeftankdiver]

Please check THE GHOST, total weight ready to dive 5,5 lbs !

Product link: xDeep GHOST ultra lightweight scuba diving BCD

At nearly $700, seems a bit steep. I guess if you need extreme light weight.

 

[MasterChief D]

I've been diving a Diverite TravelPac for years, 2,6 kg, compact and very hard wearing.

 

[Colliam7]

i am looking to purchase my own BCD. i am searching for a good traveler one to save baggage weight and size. i checked the jetpack form aeris , any more suggestions ?

Recommendations are influenced by a) what is available to you in your location, b) the type of diving you expect to be doing, and c) your willingness to step outside the usual 'box' of scuba gear.

The industry is inexorably moving in the direction of modularity. In that context, there are now a number of vendors offering lightweight 'travel plates' that can be easily paired with appropriate air cells (aka 'wings') to create a very comfortable, functional, and lightweight BC.

Several posters have already mentioned an aluminum back plate. That is a great example of a modular, lightweight, and very functional BCD. In addition, you might consider the Apeks / Aqualung Travel Plate Plate (Aqua Lung US - Personal Aquatic Equipment for Personal and Professional Use - Ultralight Travel Plate), paired with either an 18lb wing (Aqua Lung US - Personal Aquatic Equipment for Personal and Professional Use - WTX-D18 Single Cylinder Wing) or a 30 pound wing (Aqua Lung US - Personal Aquatic Equipment for Personal and Professional Use - WTX-D30 Single Cylinder Wing). All you have to do is add about 10 ft of 2" webbing, three SS D-rings and a SS buckle, and a couple of cam bands, and you are ready to dive. A similar option is available through Oxycheq - a lightweight travel plate (OxyCheq - OxyCheq Ultra Lite Travel Plate - Blue). paired with a small wing for single cylinder diving (OxyCheq - OxyCheq 18# Mach V Signature Series).

The Zeagle Express Tec has already been mentioned., I wouldn't waste money on the 'Express Tec Deluxe'. Rather, I would buy the Express Tec plate (Express Tech Backplate), then do the same as above - add an appropriate wing, a couple of cam bands, some webbing and 3 D-rings and a buckle.

You can create a very functional, lightweight 'travel' BCD for a modest investment, and it is truly modular - it can grow with you, unlike some of the so-called 'travel BCDs on the market today, which are single function.

Simple is good, simple is functional, simple is also less expensive.

 

[j2s]

With Bob, I travel with an alu bp and a single tank wing. The weight is 1/4 of a normal BCD. And when you take the pieces apart it stows very small.

.....Ditto...

 

[Aqua-Andy]

At nearly $700, seems a bit steep. I guess if you need extreme light weight.

I was thinking the same thing after looking at the page linked. I have to say that I just loath marketing techniques used these days.

Taken from X-deep ghost marketing:
50% lighter, just as durableWhen designing GHOST we faced a difficult task: our aim was to create an extremely lightweight SCUBA BCD without compromising any of the durability or comfort that our users expect. THe innovative advanced lightweight and highly resistant materials the we used enabled us to create a system which is far lighter than standard but just as durable..

50% lighter than what? A concrete block?

Just for kicks I weighed my warm water rig which consists of HOG aluminium BP, HOG 32lb wing, generic SS STA, basic HOG harness with crotch strap and two tank bands with metal buckles. This all came to 5.5 LBS. You could purchase this same setup for a little over $300. The Ghost comes in at .5 pounds lighter but my rig has a true two layer bladder not a single layer that the "manufacturer says" is comparable to a duel layer system. I bet I could drop more than .5 pounds by eliminating one of the cam bands (many BC's only use one and never have problems), and going to a 23 lb wing. I just don't see why the price is so high.

 

[guyharrisonphoto]

You can also check the Halcyon traveler. It uses some sort of nylon plate. I think it is $100 less than the X-Deep, but has two big advantages. First, you can add weight pockets to sides of the plate itself, that hold standard lead weight, up to 12 pounds, distributed as you wish for trim. Thus, it is very light for travel, but then becomes similar to having a steel plate (or even heavier if needed) once you get on-site. You can also add ditchable weight in the supplied waist belt pockets, if you wish. Second, it has their "cinch" adjustable webbing harness. Still single length of webbing but you can adjust the shoulder straps just by pulling on them to lengthen, or on the waist portion to tighten. Great if you change exposure protection, or for doffing and donning. They also go with a single bladder wing for weight savings.

For another pound or so, you can have it with their standard double bladder wings, 30 or 40# lift your choice, but the price goes up $100.

It is a premium-priced well thought out piece of gear, but worth it if you have the funds. The less expensive alternatives (or event the Xdeep for that matter) don't have the adjustibility of the harness, or ability to add weight directly on the plate, where it is best in m view.

It could easily serve as your "full time" BC as well as for travel, especially if you got the double bladder wings.

 

[mathauck0814]

So far as I'm concerned all gear is travel gear. If it's the right piece of equipment it's the right piece of equipment. Wife and I can pack rebreathers, drysuits, fins, 3 sets of regs, can lights and all the assorted goodies and stay within the weight limits. Most people carry around big bulky luggage and sacrifice weight on dumb things (they have shampoo where you're going, I promise). Travel gear is scuba industry marketing speak to get you to buy another kit.