Intermediate diver choosing between 4 BCDs!

[Dave Bevan]

If you want to make it lighter why not ditch the pockets and wear a weight belt?

Personally I think the lite hawk is ok and zeagle too. However I would have to add a crotch strap to either of them. Also I think for warn water with single tank and 5mm wetsuit you could get away without ditchable weight. Obviously this depends how you weight yourself.

With a 5mm and AL80 I use 14lbs total consisting of 6lb solid weight and 4lb per side. I have no problem not being able to ditch this as I can easy swim up when at 40m and the suit is crushed. On the surface I'm super floaty with the suit.

 

[safetysausagespecialist]

Hi Dave, thanks for the imput!

I want to carry/wear the least amout of acessories and I find the weight belt to be unconfortable.

Why do you defend using an added crotch scrap?

 

[RIHappyDiver]

I bought the same Litehawk last year and added Hog quick release weight pockets. I put 2lb per side in the back pockets for trim (non ditchable), then the other 14lb-18lb divided between the 2 Hog pockets. I wear 7mm with gloves and hood when it's coldest, and undress from there as it warms up. There is only 1 strap to lock onto the tank but there is a second strap (velcro) to keep the tank stable. I have left the 2 small pockets on the waist belt to hold a small light and my backup computer, however, there are no clips to hook to, so be careful. If I need to carry more I wear pocket shorts (Dive Gear Express, work well, cost less).
@Dave Bevan, I've thought about adding a crotch strap, but not sure how. While the Litehawk doesn't ride up too much, I have had my 1st stage bop me in the head during a dive.
@safetysausagespecialist, hope that helps some. Be glad to answer any questions that I can about the Litehawk.

Erik

 

[WinfieldNC]

I am a big fan of Zeagle BCs but I looked up the Zeagle Scout and noticed the maximum weight capacity is 16lbs. Something to consider if you are trying to avoid adding a weight belt. That would not be enough weight for me in a 5mm suit in salt water with an aluminum tank. I do weigh about 60lbs more than you though.

 

[Saboteur]

I have a Zeagle Scout and am quite happy with it. It travels fairly well but I think there are lighter BCD's out there. It is well made and the 2 tank bands are a plus as I have seen cam bands loosen during a dive. The pockets are small and a bit far back. They may be somewhat difficult to access compared to other BCD's. I don't carry much anyway besides a slate and small flashlight in them, line cutter on the shoulder strap. The weight pockets are more suitable for low weight requirements or only for trim weights. I prefer a weight belt and moved the weight pockets with a couple of lbs to the upper tank band and it helps trim quite a bit. It has four steel D rings which seem located fine to me. The removeable inflator with garden hose attachment is a nice feature for rinsing it out. Dual butt dump valves are easy to reach and work great when in horizontal trim for adjusting buoyancy.

 

[driftwood]

Take a look at the Zeagle Express Tech. A bit heavier, but it does pack very flat and the weight pockets are on the side. The Express Tech replaced a 15yo Ranger and it a better BC for me.

 

[Dave Bevan]

I bought the same Litehawk last year and added Hog quick release weight pockets. I put 2lb per side in the back pockets for trim (non ditchable), then the other 14lb-18lb divided between the 2 Hog pockets. I wear 7mm with gloves and hood when it's coldest, and undress from there as it warms up. There is only 1 strap to lock onto the tank but there is a second strap (velcro) to keep the tank stable. I have left the 2 small pockets on the waist belt to hold a small light and my backup computer, however, there are no clips to hook to, so be careful. If I need to carry more I wear pocket shorts (Dive Gear Express, work well, cost less).
@Dave Bevan, I've thought about adding a crotch strap, but not sure how. While the Litehawk doesn't ride up too much, I have had my 1st stage bop me in the head during a dive.
@safetysausagespecialist, hope that helps some. Be glad to answer any questions that I can about the Litehawk.

Erik

You should have a small d ring on the back centre line. If you order a 1" crotch strap you can thread it through here the other part goes where the belt clip is. On my friends we changed the plastic buckle to a more durable steel weight belt buckle and removed the chest strap as it wasn't really doing anything.

Dave

 

[Dave Bevan]

Also should probably mention that a for harness and Ali back plate is also easy to travel with.

 

[Diver0001]

Hello all,

I only dive in warm waters but I wear one piece 5/4mm, gloves and sometimes hood vest!

Having hard time trying to choose between these models (please don't suggest more expensive models):

1. Mares Pure SLS - (I like the easy weight release system, extras D rings and pocket. Looks durable too)
2. Zeagle Scout - (I'm worry about reaching the weight pockets in the back in case of emergency release. And is it a problem if my buddy has difficult finding it?)
3. Cressi Ultralight OR Cressi Air Travel 2.0
4. Scubapro Litehawk (2013 version) +
   Quick-Ditch Weight Holster Pocket Kit

Looking for:
- Light weight/ easy packing if possible (weighing 8.8lbs tops)
- Back inflated
- Integrated weights and easy weight release

5,6 ft
138 lbs

God... I think my butt weighs more than that....

Seriously, though. I suggest you look at the Aqualung Zuma as well. it fits the description of what you are looking for, including being affordable.

One thing to consider carefully is the inflator mechanism. I don't know why it's so hard to manufacture a really GOOD inflator but Auqalung does, Apeks does, Mares does for their technical stuff but not for their rec stuff... and then there is a big gap with a lot of so-so inflators and under the heap you find Cressi.

A good inflator is important because that's your "human interface" with the vest. If it sucks then you'll start disliking the vest.

Of the vests you mentioned, I personally wouldn't buy the Mares because of that. That inflator seriously sucks balls. I teach at a shop that uses Mares vests with that particular inflator and literally the only good thing I can say about it is that it's better than the Cressi. It's such a shame because Mares makes some really good gear but then they have this amazing ability to drop the ball on important details.

I don't have direct experience with the other three vests you mentioned but I have experience with other Cressi vests and I would be more than a little reluctant to buy a vest from Cressi because of that. Some of their inflators fill the vest so slowly that I personally would label them "dangerous". Maybe they have improved over the years but I've pretty much written them off.

I have zero experience with the Scubapro or the Zeagle so I can't advise you about those.

Finally, if the vest is good, you can replace the inflator. The best inflators ever made IMHO were the Seaquest. Aqualung bought Seaquest and Auqualung make good inflators but the Seaquest was special..... I've even collected a few "trashed" Seaquest vests over the years so I could salvage the inflators from them. My technical set (a Diverite), for example, has a Seaquest inflator on it. So if you DO buy a vest with a lousy inflator because you like the vest then you can always retrofit a better inflator onto it.

R..

 

[Hoag]

God... I think my butt weighs more than that....

Seriously, though. I suggest you look at the Aqualung Zuma as well. it fits the description of what you are looking for, including being affordable.

One thing to consider carefully is the inflator mechanism. I don't know why it's so hard to manufacture a really GOOD inflator but Auqalung does, Apeks does, Mares does for their technical stuff but not for their rec stuff... and then there is a big gap with a lot of so-so inflators and under the heap you find Cressi.

A good inflator is important because that's your "human interface" with the vest. If it sucks then you'll start disliking the vest.

Of the vests you mentioned, I personally wouldn't buy the Mares because of that. That inflator seriously sucks balls. I teach at a shop that uses Mares vests with that particular inflator and literally the only good thing I can say about it is that it's better than the Cressi. It's such a shame because Mares makes some really good gear but then they have this amazing ability to drop the ball on important details.

I don't have direct experience with the other three vests you mentioned but I have experience with other Cressi vests and I would be more than a little reluctant to buy a vest from Cressi because of that. Some of their inflators fill the vest so slowly that I personally would label them "dangerous". Maybe they have improved over the years but I've pretty much written them off.

I have zero experience with the Scubapro or the Zeagle so I can't advise you about those.

R..

I second @Diver0001 's comments about the Cressi inflator. On my Cressi Air Travel, I had issues with my LPI and although they were fixed at my LDS, I ultimately replaced the LPI with a Hog one (I think). It now works great.