Entry BCD

[Gabe29]

I am in the market for a BCD , I would like to find something I can travel with that would be lighter , but have recently started to dive locally in quarry’s which are colder , is it better to buy two different bcds or what would anyone recommend that travels well and handles both water temps well….ty so much !!

 

[Jai Bar]

I think your best option is a backplate & wing configuration. You buy one with stainless steel plate for the cold water, and get an additional aluminum plate for travel.

What brand? Doesn't really matter, whatever appeals to you in terms of colors and price. Most are very similar anyway, just avoid the ones with too many bells and whistles.

I'd start with DGX's basic setup (divegearexpress.com) as a good combination of price and quality: the simplest Hogartian harness, doughnut wing, and whatever combination of plates. You can also buy the second plate anywhere else.

Have a look here for example: DGX Custom - DGX Gears Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing Package

Even if you buy somewhere elese you can it as a reference which things to look for in your rig.

 

[broncobowsher]

Typical dive store BCD is loaded with worhtless bell and whistles and yearly style updates.
Backplate and wing is simple, rugged, adaptable. No extra fluff (typically, sounds like some are trying to add some). It works.

 

[BoltSnap]

I am in the market for a BCD , I would like to find something I can travel with that would be lighter , but have recently started to dive locally in quarry’s which are colder , is it better to buy two different bcds or what would anyone recommend that travels well and handles both water temps well….ty so much !!

Here are some options:

1. Scubapro Hydros Pro: I use this one for local and travel. It is the most popular SP BC since it came out (I own and use one):

https://scubapro.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/bcds/hydros-pro-bcd-men

.

2. Scubapro SeaHawk 2: A less expensive and more compact BC that packs small for travel yet has enough buoyancy for local diving with heavier suits (I own and use one):

https://scubapro.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/bcds/seahawk-2-bcd

3. Zeagle Fury (Made in the US): This is another travel/local BC that came out recently from Zeagle. My friends who own it rave about but I still haven't tried it yet. I'll be buying one later this summer (I own MANY BCs from several manufacturers. I try and test all of them to decide what is best for me and to recommend to my students and friends and to use in my dive school).

Fury BCD - Zeagle

The Fury's modular construction allows it to transition between warm travel diving, rugged cold-water diving in wet/drysuits, single cylinder—even tech diving.

www.zeagle.com

4. Zeagle Brave BC: A fully featured BC and a most awesome price. I haven't tried it yet. It may not be specifically made for travel but it has everything you need at a great price.

Bravo - Zeagle

Bravo is the next step in the evolution of the Sport line. It elevates every dive with its large pockets, D-rings and adjustable cummerbund.

www.zeagle.com

My preference is in the order these BCs recommended above.

 

[rongoodman]

SS plate, 30# wing, once piece webbing harness.

 

[DogDiver]

I prefer “mission specific” units. I have fresh water gear and salt water gear. The only things that go in both is my Shearwater Perdix AI and my mask. I use a ScubaPro Hydros Pro for salt water Tec recreational dives. Backplate and wings for backmount doubles. My primary unit is my tried and true Dive Rite Nomad XP for sidemount cave diving. Yes I live in north Florida cave country and dive weekly. Good luck and safe travels.

 

[DanBMW]

There are a number of very flexible BCDs that work well for local and travel. Zeagle makes several that are very rugged, but not lightweight. I have used Scuba Pro for many years and if you take care of them, will eaisly last 20+ years. My present travel BC is the Aqualung Rogue ( several 100 dives) and it too is very adjustable and lightweight.

 

[bradStyle]

Another vote for backplate and wing. Minimalist and much more easily configurable.

 

[boulderjohn]

The typical ScubaBoard BP/W solution works well here. I will offer slightly different advice.

I have exactly what some people have advised--an aluminum backplate for travel and a steel for colder water, but you obviously want to start with only one. That makes sense. In that case, get an aluminum back plate. It is lighter for travel, and it packs up in much less space than a typical BCD. You are going to have to add weight whether you are diving in a tropical location or a local, colder location, so the only difference will be that in the colder location, you will have to add a few pounds more than in the tropics.

If you end up using heavy steel tanks in colder environments, you might not need much more eight at all.

 

[BabyLitigator]

Agree with everyone on the BP/W recommendation. I'll comment that Southwest has a 50-pound limit and I was able to fit the BPW with STA, fins (RK3), a drysuit and little stuff in a roller that was just under the limit. Carried on the regs. If you have status on a big 3 airline it's 70 pounds.