lightweight BCD for travelling

[funktup]

thanks for all the answers, gives me a lot to look at.

I am back in europe now but am going to south/central america for the next 6 months.

Dont know if i will be better buying across there as for the first few months i will be in argentina, peru etc. Does anyone know if its viable?

Or maybe just use local dive shop ones would eb the best bet?

 

[SangP]

I was pretty happy with how scubastore.com took care of my order considering how far they are from me and yet I received my items within 4 days !

I'm not sure how much it costs to receive items in the UK but I pretty sure that getting stuff in Argentina and Peru won't be that easy either but I rather trust the mail system in the UK. I would also rather get the items early so I can test them out rather than fixing any problems when I'm somewhere I'm not familiar with.

SangP

 

[DevonDiver]

Definitely buy in the UK, before moving to S.America.

Have you checked Ebay? There's often some decent second hand BP&W options there.

 

[lxchin]

zuma if you want something basic otherwise the oxycheq with travel plate is great and a bloody good price to boot!

 

[Jorgy]

I dive an Al BP with 18 lb Oxycheq Razor wing and really like it......in weighs in at 6.5 lbs.......

But the Zuma (and other soft paks) are in a league of their own when it comes to travel, they roll up and are lighter......

As durable? maybe not.....

But if I were globetrotting that far that often I would go for lighter and smaller......

When I travel with my rig it is specifically to go diving...I think the OP is going to visit family and then do some diving....my point is that 90% of the weight and bulk I carry on vacation is dive gear, my sense is the OP will be carrying lots of other stuff not just dive gear.....

M

 

[JimBabcock]

I've had about 10 dives (fresh and ocean) with the Zuma and love it. Would suggest you spring for the two optional, non-dumpable back weight pockets for a tighter trim. I also have and love the Knighthawk. It's comfortable and rugged, but heavy and bulky. I'm an inland diver and usually have to travel by plane so the Zuma is my preferred BC. Nice to be able to stuff most everything into a carry-on...except the dive knife!

 

[Downing]

Well, it's come down to a choice between the Zeagle Express Tech and the AquaLung Zuma. I had my LDS order one of each, so I can do a side by side comparison.

I'm impressed with the styling of the Zuma, but it looks a little flimsy to me. The chest strap buckle in particular and the plastic D-rings do not impress. Still, the overall reviews are good enough that I want to check it out for myself.

I already have a Zeagle Zeus. Although I like how well it's made and it seems plenty rugged enough, I could never get past the left handed zipper and all the adjustable straps. It drove me crazy trying to put it on and take it off without messing up the straps.

Heck, maybe I'll just keep them both so I'll have a backup.