Lightweight Travel BC

[pelan-pelan]

Have searched on Ligtweight and Travel BC and didn't find any results.

Any comments about these? Does lighter weight = less durable? If the BC is just used 2 or 3 times a year for warm water diving.

What about these BCs being hauled up onto a boat complete with tank. Are they strong enough?

Makes and models? What about the Cressi Flex?

Am considering changing my name to "On a Mission for Lighter Gear (but not at the expense of safety)".

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

I would suggest you look into one of the various travel BP/W options out there. This would afford you the light weight components with something durable and designed to handle abuse.

Oxycheq makes a nice SS travel plate that weighs in at 2lbs and they make a lightweight set of single tank adapters, a small wing, and various other components. Couple their system with a hogarthian harness and you will have a bullet proof rig that is lightweight.

Wings

 

[masterof0]

If you are looking for something that is light (and versatile) you may want to consider a bp/w. I am not saying this because I think it is the holy grail of diving, but because you can configure it to meet your needs. If weight is your main driver, you can get an AL or Kydex plate which is only a couple of pounds and add whatever size wing you need to fit the conditions you are diving in. (i.e 17 or 20 lb wing for warm water or 30+ for colder water, etc). It is a "minimal" rig, so each pound of weight has a purpose. So in the above example, the weight of the rig will be the plate, wing, and harness. There will not be additional weight from "gadgets" and material that you may or may not need. If you do need additional accessories, you are free to add/remove based on your needs.

Just a thought.

 

[TN Traveler]

Probably the lightest travel BCD is the Oxycheq UltraLite Plate and 18# Wing.

Total rig with HOG harness, 3 D-rings, cambands and 4 weight pockets is about 4 lbs.
I have used one for about 25 dives over the past 9 months while traveling to warm water destinations and it still looks brand new - feels great on the back (very stable) and top quality. With a 3mm wetsuit, I use 12 lbs of lead - 3 lbs in each weight pocket (2 on waist strap - 2 on cambands) - and rig floats me fine on the surface.

It is the most streamlined rig you can find when underwater.

 

[Jorgy]

When you say used 2 or 3 times a year......what exactly do you mean?

.......2 or 3 dives or 2 or 3 dive trips.........

If only 2 or 3 dives a year, I would rent when I get to my location.......

If more dives, then I can agree with other posters a BP/W is the lightest way to go.....

I can also second the Oxycheq 18 lb wing - I have one on a Dive Rite Aluminum BP with hog harness - nothing is lighter or packs as small......

Assumes warm water diving............without much lead, as 18 lbs of lift will not float a lot.......

If you assume -4 pounds for a full Al 80, -2 pounds for the BP itself and -2 pounds for the reg then you can only have a max of 10 pounds of lead..........

Hope this helps.......M

 

[pelan-pelan]

Thanks for the replies. Interesting advice and useful detail. Haven't ever used a wing. Need to try it. Local dive club can help. I can compare what I use there with your stats. Not too worried about the lift limits. Diving on 1.5 or 2 mm doesn't need too much weight.

By the way I meant 2 or 3 dive trips per year, not 2 or 3 dives.

Cheers

 

[ScottZeagle]

Here's one style...

Express Tech Backplate - Backplate BCs - BCs - Zeagle Dive Systems

Here is a lightweight travel BC...

http://www.zeagle.com/showproduct/1/Scout/

Good luck with your search!!!

Scott

 

[jd950]

Wow, things are slowing down out there. It took 7 minutes for someone to try and sell you a BP/W. In case you are not looking for a BP/W, there are a lot of lightweight options. Oceanic has the Islander2 and there is an Aeris equivalent, Zeagle has the Scout and Stiletto, Cressi makes travel BC's and I am sure Seaquest does, too.

I have a Zeagle Stiletto and my son uses an Oceanic Islander 2. They seem quite durable and safe. I don't think you need to worry with most of the well-known brands. The only thing to look out for, in my opinion, is a BC that relies solely on a velcro closure to keep weights in place. I have heard a lot of distressing stories about weights coming out of those.

The other day my doorbell rang and ther were two guys and a woman standing there. I was sure they were Jehova's Witnesses, Mormons or 7th day Adventists who had come to preach to me and try to convert me. But no, they were BP/W enthusiasts. I am just not going to answer the door anymore.

 

[Jorgy]

Made me laugh....................

Thanks I needed that...........

M

 

[RonFrank]

I dive a Zeagle Stiletto for travel. It is not the lightest out there, but very durable and well designed/built.

There are a lot of travel BC's on the market. I'd go with a back inflate design.