Back-inflate BCD recommendation

[pfj]

Hi!

I have been diving an Aqualung Axiom for a while (about 120 dives) and got some money to spend so I was planning a back-inflate BCD.

I have seen many positive reviews about the ScubaPro Hydros Pro, but I was wondering also about the Atomic BC2 (youtube reviews seem excited, forum goers seem to think it's meh). The Apeks Exotec has also caught my attention, mostly because it looks cool and the fit seems similar to the Axiom that I am used to. The Tusa BB React seems interesting as well but there is very little information about it online. I dive almost exclusively travel with a 3mm or 5mm wetsuit. Not interested in diving Tec or cold water. For most of these choices, they seem to be between 4 and 5 kgs, so not much difference in weight.

I realize most people will recommend to go BP/W, but honestly I tried one and didn't really like it. Also, here (in Japan), it is really not popular and therefore harder to get serviced and not much cheaper than regular BCDs. I just prefer the comfort and ease of donning of regular BCDs so although I do realize the pros of BP/W, I am not really in the market for one.

It's also pretty hard to rent and try equipment (besides an Aqualung rogue which my lds seems to have a bunch of) so I would have to jump in and commit.

Thanks!

 

[Saboteur]

Zeagle brand? Express tech, Scout or Covert?

 

[landphil]

If you're looking at back inflate you'd probably want the Hydros Pro, not the X. The Hydros X is kind of a hybrid jacket with some air bladder wrapping around the hips. I dove a Hydros Pro for years and liked it a lot- only switched to a BPW cause I couldn't properly weight myself for drysuit diving with my Hydros. The shop where I grab my air fills has an Exotec on display. All of that orange anodizing looks really cool, like your BC could transform into a giant robot if it needed to. Living in Japan, that's probably a plus

 

[lowwall]

Can you get a Dive Rite Hydro Lite in Japan?

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

The Dive Rite Hydro Lite is a great travel BC.

Hydro Lite BCD - Dive Rite | Equipment for Serious Divers

The compact Hydro Lite BCD weighs only 6.2 pounds and packs up easily thanks to a soft backplate, making it the perfect system for travel. This streamlined air cell with thirty pounds of lift is ideal for a diver, tank, and weights. A mountaineering backpack-style harness keeps the rig stable...

diverite.com

 

[pfj]

Zeagle brand? Express tech, Scout or Covert?

Thanks for the suggestion! Just looked into it and it seems the Express Tech would fit my needs pretty well. It's lighter than the other options.

The downside compared to Apeks, Atomic and ScubaPro is that it does not seem quick-drying, does not have trim pockets (maybe?) and looks a bit plain .

I'm a bit confused about the lift capacity as well. It says that the weight system supports up to 9kg but the lift capacity is only 11kg. So if I need my max of 8kg in the weight pockets, I'd be worried to exceed the lift capacity. It also says it supports attaching twin cylinders but the lift capacity seems low for that (not that I am interested in twin cylinders, just caught my eye is all).

If you're looking at back inflate you'd probably want the Hydros Pro, not the X. The Hydros X is kind of a hybrid jacket with some air bladder wrapping around the hips. I dove a Hydros Pro for years and liked it a lot- only switched to a BPW cause I couldn't properly weight myself for drysuit diving with my Hydros. The shop where I grab my air fills has an Exotec on display. All of that orange anodizing looks really cool, like your BC could transform into a giant robot if it needed to. Living in Japan, that's probably a plus

You're right about the Hydros, thank for pointing out my error. I fixed it in the original post to avoid confusion.

And you're right about the Exotec looking sweet! Comparing it to the Hydros, it seems like the Hydros' advantages are that it has back trim pockets and packs quite small, whereas the Exotec trim pockets are right behind the dumpable weight pockets and looks bulkier (but so cool at the same time).

Can you get a Dive Rite Hydro Lite in Japan?

This one looks cool, thanks for the suggestion. Very light again and looks close to a proper BP/W than the other back-inflatable. My only concern is that the weight system supports only 5.4kg and I sometimes need up to 8kg when using an alu tank with my 5mm wetsuit.

I guess I wanted to make my rig a bit lighter for travel, but in the end it might be the opposite if I go Exotec or Hydros! My Axiom felt heavy but it is just 3.9kg, and I am also thinking of switching to Apollo bio-pros fins which are heavier than my current Gull Super Mew XX.

 

[Still Kicking]

Why do you want to get rid of the Axiom?

When i worked for a place that rented them, i dove them when teaching (even though my personal BC was a BPW).

I thought they were a great comfortable and functional BC. Way better than the Balance Hindenberg back inflate that I also used periodically.

 

[pfj]

Why do you want to get rid of the Axiom?

I plan on keeping the Axiom, not getting rid of it. I was just fortunate enough to get a bunch of disposable income and thought I'd really like to own a back-inflatable as well.

 

[grantmac]

A BP&W takes more than a single dive to get adjusted and the maintenance is nothing the user can't accomplish.