Light weight BC

[fullbore]

Hi All,

I would really appreciate some opinions / advice.
I'm looking at buying my first BC and have narrowed down to a few brands from the gazillion available !
I will be diving in tropical Queensland, occasionally Fiji and (hopefully) Vanuatu.
The airlines here have also drastically reduced their weight restrictions so size / weight will be a consideration, also would like back inflate and weight integration as I don't like the squeeze I get from jacket BC's (in all fairness I've only dived jacket and only 4 brands)
I was thinking of the Zeagle Stiletto (or the hybrid one from Scubatoys) Seaquest Balance or Dive Rite transpac / rec wing?


cheers

 

[AC Boy]

Welcome to the Board!

I must say you've narrowed your list down to some fine choices. My fiancee owns a Transpac while I own a Zeagle Brigade (the hybrid BC sold by Scubatoys) and we've not had any problems packing and travelling with them (mostly on low-cost / budget airlines with miserly baggage allowances). I do most of the packing for our dive trips and objectively speaking, I find it slightly easier to pack the Transpac than my Brigade. At the end of the day, I guess it's really down to fit.

Hope this helps.

 

[oscar_2424]

I have dive with the balance a few times and is very confortable, another choice would be the seaquest malibu

 

[DA Aquamaster]

A transpac is hard to beat for light weight and packability.

 

[MoonWrasse]

Zeagle Stiletto.
Search on it for more feedback.

 

[laserdoc]

Zeagle escape!! I really have to look for it in my dive bag when I go to unpack it. That should give you a clue

 

[victor]

Integrated weights and travel?
For traveling a standard weight belt is more convienent.
I know I do not like being buddied up with someone who is using an integrated system.
In an emergency would I know how to dump his weights? Would it take me longer when I might be strugling with a number of different problems?
If you always dive with the same buddy then OK.

 

[scubatoys]

Integrated weights and travel?
For traveling a standard weight belt is more convienent.
I know I do not like being buddied up with someone who is using an integrated system.
In an emergency would I know how to dump his weights? Would it take me longer when I might be strugling with a number of different problems?
If you always dive with the same buddy then OK.

I simply do a pre dive safety check with my buddy. So many people have different gear these days... octo inflators, weight integrated, etc. I just tell them, "In an emergency, if you have to ditch my weights, pull this handle."

 

[*Floater*]

I think the Deep Sea Supply single rig with Kydex plate instead of steel is probably as light as you can get and takes up very little space in the suitcase. (I prefer the hog harness by the way.) I have the SS version and it's a high quality BCD for a good price.

 

[Skinsfan1311]

Integrated weights and travel?
For traveling a standard weight belt is more convienent.
I know I do not like being buddied up with someone who is using an integrated system.
In an emergency would I know how to dump his weights? Would it take me longer when I might be strugling with a number of different problems?
If you always dive with the same buddy then OK.

Huh?? With all due respect, don't you cover that in your "pre-dive" safety check?