Making a move from jacket to back inflate, for travel

[salth2owannabe]

I recently presented a similar question as I just did the same thing as the OP is asking about. I find it interesting that most every post about a travel BC brings up numerous "what ifs". Wet suites, cold water weights, steel tanks, etc. We quickly lose sight that it is a travel BC designed for warm water travel. I dive cold and have a BC well suited for cold water requirements and have traveled with it numerous times, but I wanted something tailored for warm water travel. Hence the travel BC.
My requirements were pretty simply- Light weight, packs well, weight integrated (I hate belts), small pocket for small items, two tank bands (hate my tank moving) and durable. Will I dive cold with it - Nope, but I bet it will work great for what it was designed to do.

 

[Diving Dubai]

I dive warm (coldest water is 73F (and very warm 90F) with a BP/W here in the middle east. In context for the Summer I dive a 3mm full suit and the winter a 5/7mm and a hood - I have a new 7mm that I haven't dived yet. Before you laugh you get aclimatised to high air temps so the water feels colder (and I hate cold)

A while ago I posted my experiences of a change to the BP/W that may help http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...nging-jacket-wing-hope-helps.html#post6670758.

I did start out with integrated weights, as I was carrying 8lbs (using a SS backplate and STA as well as diving a 15L steel tank which I think is a HP120) As my experience with it improved my weight cam down so I was only carrying 2lbs. I took of the integrated pockets for too reasons. 1 because they fasterned to the backplate as well as threading on the waist band it made the unit bulky when putting in a dive bag for transport. ". I wanted to put some accessory pockets on my waist band for things like a torch, SMB reel etc and the integrated pockets were in the way.

Regarding the rear trims pockets, I have mine right by the back plate on the lower tank strap which works fine and have never felt unstable.

I know travel preferences are different to everyone, I now have a Ali back plate and new harness for next summer - but its only a 2lb difference. this year I flew my gear via budget airline for a 2 week liveaboard and had no issues - my stuff is for my every day use (I dive weekly normally) and if it was a bit heavy would pay the excess or take something out.

I like being able to tweak my rig - adding D-rings etc as my needs change I also put weight belt buckles on my shoulder straps to aid removal - which were a boon when I hurt my shoulder. Mine is an 32lb lift Apex rig but my choice is limited here however I like it's robustness and couldn't be happier with it - it did 65 dives before I slipped a disc in my back in sept - but these are all my perceptions personal to me, however maybe it;ll assist you one way or the other

---------- Post added December 3rd, 2013 at 08:40 PM ----------

The Zuma was not meant for heavy, negative steel tanks as used in cold wearer diving. Again, it is a tropical, warm water BC. There is no typical use for such tanks in tropical diving and even when there was, you cannot bring them with you. The Zuma was intended for the typical aluminum 63/80 tanks. A negative/heavy steel tank would roll around on the Zuma, this is a soft pack, it lacks any structure to control such tanks.


N

Err without going off topic.... If you have a Steel tank and a Ali Tank of the same internal volume the steel will be lighter. It requires carrying less lead as it maintains it's buoyancy unlike an Ali which requires typically 4lbs. Here in the Middle east we predominantly dive Steels - although lighter weight versions all at 232 bar (3500psi) so it's untrue to say their not a tropical tank Also if you take a 77cf Ali tank then the equivalent 77cf steel will be smaller. Most Diver operators have Ali as they're cheaper and easier to maintain

Just had to correct that statement - although I accept cold water DS divers do have the big heavy Steel tanks

 

[Bubblehead628]

Hi I just want to mention that I dive a BP/W and a SP Litehawk and my wife has a Zeagle express tech. We only use steel tanks LP 108's and LP 85's here in FL (Fresh and Salt). We haven't found any issues using steel tanks with the litehawk or Zeagle ET, at least for us.

 

[uncfnp]

I recently presented a similar question as I just did the same thing as the OP is asking about. I find it interesting that most every post about a travel BC brings up numerous "what ifs". Wet suites, cold water weights, steel tanks, etc. We quickly lose sight that it is a travel BC designed for warm water travel. I dive cold and have a BC well suited for cold water requirements and have traveled with it numerous times, but I wanted something tailored for warm water travel. Hence the travel BC.
My requirements were pretty simply- Light weight, packs well, weight integrated (I hate belts), small pocket for small items, two tank bands (hate my tank moving) and durable. Will I dive cold with it - Nope, but I bet it will work great for what it was designed to do.

I'm sorry but I must have missed the post where someone recommended anything other than a travel BCD. Discussioning the various options and merits is, I believe, what the OP requested. Suggesting that some travel BCD's may be more versatile than others is not unreasonable to most divers...

 

[salth2owannabe]

I'm sorry but I must have missed the post where someone recommended anything other than a travel BCD. Discussioning the various options and merits is, I believe, what the OP requested. Suggesting that some travel BCD's may be more versatile than others is not unreasonable to most divers...

Which I believe is also what I was talking about?
I listed what I was looking for in a travel BC, may not be what the OP wants or needs.
If you go back and review the posts you will find a number references as to the thickness of wet suites, steel tanks and the amount of weights needed to be added either carried in the BC or on a belt. There are many compromises in all types of equipment but my point was that travel BCs by design are made for travel and warm water diving. My point as well, all be it maybe not as obvious, was that I came to the conclusion that it was best for me to have two BCs, each better tailored to what it was designed to do. May not float every ones boat, but it doesn't have to.
I also fish when I dive warm water destinations. I have a bunch of fishing rods at my disposal that would work, but I travel with a travel rod, because that's what they are made for.

 

[amw5g]

Let's keep it on task here, kids. I'm looking for a back-inflate BCD that travels well. Ideally has ditchable weight pockets, and pocket(s) that can hold a small smb & at most a back-up light. I dive warm- that is 75F and up- and I wear at most a 4/3 with a hood that requires 16# at my plumpest. I don't dive doubles and have 0 interest in them. Most tanks are AL80, but I can't say I'll never get steel. Not interested in 100s because my wife dives 63cf whenever she can; me on an 80 and her on a 63 is like cookies & cream. Not interested in bp/w either, although I have no doubt it would cure my astigmatism and improve my IQ by 30 points- but who needs to be perfect?
Seems like I've got some good recommendations from here, and I appreciate them all. Even those opinions that are just plain wrong. Just have to make up my mind and decide when I want to pull the trigger.
Best,
Amw 5G

 

[Nemrod]

Err without going off topic.... If you have a Steel tank and a Ali Tank of the same internal volume the steel will be lighter. It requires carrying less lead as it maintains it's buoyancy unlike an Ali which requires typically 4lbs. Here in the Middle east we predominantly dive Steels - although lighter weight versions all at 232 bar (3500psi) so it's untrue to say their not a tropical tank Also if you take a 77cf Ali tank then the equivalent 77cf steel will be smaller. Most Diver operators have Ali as they're cheaper and easier to maintain

Just had to correct that statement - although I accept cold water DS divers do have the big heavy Steel tanks

Actually, I will stay with exactly what I said.

N