Lightweight BC without compromising performance

[gilbertpaul]

Hi All,

Just joined the forum so hello !

Question probably been posted a million times , but as new gear arrives wanted to get people thoughts. Been diving a few yeas and have slowly amassed the kit with just BCD and Regs to go.

My current thinking is get the BC first with Regs to follow soon when funds allow

I currently dive twice a year in warm water and do about 15-20 dives on each trip. Been diving a few years with about 200 dives in the log. Not an expert by any means but enjoy photography , caves , drift and wrecks.

(Average build weigh 12 1/2 Stone)

Since I fly keen to keep the weight down , but don't want to save a kilo and lose some performance or features of a BCD

Currently looking at the Mares Hybrid Range ( any thoughts on their AT(air trim system) appreciated) or the Oceanic Islander.

Just like anything I suppose its personal preference - but keen to get some users thoughts and ideas

Sorry to post such an open question but keen to get some thoughts !

Also - peoples views on used vs new - I guess if its in good condition and serviced before use not a problem?

many thanks

Paul

 

[tracydr]

I would get an aluminum or carbon backplate with small wing. My warm water gear is a short steel backplate (DSS) with an 18 pound wing. Even though it's steel, it's still lighter than a lot of BP,simply because it's short. But, I'm 5'1" so for me it's perfect. BP/Wing is minimalist. Nothing extra to add weight or buoyancy. I love diving BP/wing after years of a really crappy bc that gave me no stability and hurt my back.
I dove yesterday with a plushy skin ( maybe 1/2mm?), aluminum 80 tank and no added weight besides my plate, although an extra 2-4 pounds may have been useful, I was a little light after 30 minutes of shallow diving.
My rig is really light for flying. Maybe 5-6 pounds total for BP/wing. I could make it lighter with an aluminum or carbon plate. Or, on of Eric's freedom plates.
I have a heavier reg but there are some really nice travel regs out there now.
I have a heavier BP/wing for cold water to wear with dry suit. Traveling to cold water requires some serious packing, due to drysuit,undergarment,heavy steel backplate,etc. we usually drive when diving cold water so haven't had to deal with that,yet.

 

[diversteve]

Do yourself a huge favor and don't get an Airtrim. All they did is take a simple functional $25 inflator that uses a schrader valve (similar to what's in your car tires) and hopelessly complicate it with a series of valves, buttons, pneumatic hoses and custom dump valves to make it all work together. All so you can push to buttons to control buoyancy. You've dove already - did you have difficulty using a standard inflator? Or pull-dump?

All proprietary obligating you to visit your Mares dealer every time for service on any of those parts.

The patented Mares system on the pneumatic valves makes it possible to inflate and deflate the BCD, no matter what your position in the water is.

In order to work correctly you also need another piece of proprietary technology - "New ultraflat pneumatic valves" - because they're controlled by the Airtrim.

Here's another reason you'll never see me considering an Airtrim. On the U.S. Mares website the Hybrid AT is the only model still sold with it. Possibly two years ago there were two. A few years b4 maybe 4 different models had it as an option. A reasonable person would have to ask why if it's such a great system that those numbers are decreasing. I personally feel they're gradually phasing it out.

You mention travel and maybe buying regs later. Airtrim has a non-standard inflator hose length so every time you want to use your system with rental regs someone has to change hoses. I assume them because they don't want you accidentally cross-threading a port on their reg. So you'd have to allow for that b4 diving and don't forget your proprietary hose when you leave.

3.5 KG (Hybrid AT) for a travel BC? You should be able to do a lot better than that. I'll let you do the conversions but the lightest I know of is the Zeagle Covert at 3.9lbs. An Aqualung Zuma is around 4.5lb. also. Both will fit in a carry-on - Covert rolls up to a fat newspaper size.

Ask your Mares dealer what servicing an Airtrim costs also. Because it's generally not a self-serviceable item - even if you could buy the parts.

Diving with insta-buddies? Most people in their training are taught to locate a standard inflator hose to assist you if incapacitated. With Airtrim you have to show them how it works. Also demo the pull-out manual inflator hose? Which is a little pull-out located near the Airtrim buttons. Another thing to remember in a high-stress situation for someone who is likely not familiar with it. You can't assume that the buddy you just demoed it for is the one helping you either.

Because of where you live, I'd look really hard at Apeks gear since it's manufactured in Blackburn. It's more expensive but you'll only buy it once. It's on my top 3 list of best gear I'd like to own if I didn't already have my gear. All of their stuff - Regs, BCD or BP/W systems has a good reputation. They even sell a travel regulator - the Flight.

Another point about BP/W systems dr.tracy didn't mention. They are the de-facto standard for cave/tech diving since the plate/strap system keeps your tank exactly positioned, tightly secured to you and even if you go to doubles like many do, the plate is still usable, you just buy a bigger wing. Also any BP/W breaks down into small enough pieces to carry-on in most configurations. Except for wings, 10 years from now you may want to replace the straps. Most plates are configurable for either single or double tank quickly also.

I don't know anyone that dives a jacket in a cave/wreck situation - maybe things are different there. Most people here will agree that having the wing on your back is the optimal configuration for actually diving - not floating on the surface.

 

[gilbertpaul]

Thanks for the quick responses and especially the airtrim comments ! thought as much but wanted to check rather than just think it was over complicating something which has always been fine in the past !

I will take a look at the wing and back plate options - but I guess no pockets for torches , DSMB 's etc ?

thanks for the new line of thinking

cheers

Paul

 

[Dive Right In Scuba.]

There are plenty of good lightweight options available out there now. We get asked these questions quite often, so here a blog piece we just shared on the subject.

Travel BCD's Simplified

 

[diversteve]

You can add pockets to most BP/W systems. Some mfr's (like Dive Rite) sell a line that slides over the waist straps. SCUBA Diving Equipment for Technical, Sidemount, Rebreather, Wreck and Cave Diving: Dive Rite, Inc - Product Catalog - Pockets

Others sell bolt on pockets that bolt to the plate in an accessible place. Some divers keep everything in wetsuit thigh pockets. Dive Extras (I believe it's them) even sells dive shorts with pockets that go over your wetsuit. I've also seen at least one system that has a pocket that mounts on the inside of the plate at the bottom. Convenient, protected and out of the way. I think it was a Hollis but I'm not sure. Your Oceanic dealer should also be able to get their line, they're both owned by American Underwater Products.

 

[halocline]

You don't need pockets for lights or SMBs, those are typically clipped onto the harness D rings. There's very little in diving that needs to go in pockets, especially recreational diving. You're not going to the corner store, after all.

Do yourself a favor and avoid any jacket BC that has extra "features" like the Mares inflator gizmo. These 'features' are usually designed to help something sell in a dive shop showroom, not be especially helpful under water. Look closely at a minimal backplate/wing system like DSS or oxycheq. There are a million threads about them.

Less is more when it comes to BCs. You don't want any extra clutter while diving.

 

[KenGordon]

AP COMMANDO ESCAPE | AP Diving

Made in Helston, support your local BCD manufacturer etc.

I know of many of these still being dived after 20 years of hard use. If you really destroy them they will do a factory refurbishment at not too great expense.

You do know you live next to some truly excellent diving? Don't waste your time with all that warm water nonsense, go diving at home.

Since BCDs are not fashionable they can be had very cheap second hand. But do beware that there is a big price range and a new one can be quite cheap so just because a new brand X is 300 does not make a second hand brand y cheap at 150. It might only be 180 new.

Often whole sets of kit come up as people give up diving. These can be complete bargains but expect to pay £30 to service a BCD and £60 to have regs serviced.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Thanks for the quick responses and especially the airtrim comments ! thought as much but wanted to check rather than just think it was over complicating something which has always been fine in the past !

I will take a look at the wing and back plate options - but I guess no pockets for torches , DSMB 's etc ?

thanks for the new line of thinking

cheers

Paul

Send me your email address. I have an illustrated 11 page article on these systems for newer divers. And not so new ones. Covers set up, adjustment, options for storage and weighting, as well as regulator configurations. Too big to post here or send via PM.

 

[tbone1004]

Deep Sea Supply Kydex with LCD20 wing. About as good and light as it gets without sacrificing performance.