Mares Dragon vs. Oceanic Probe

[emttim]

Ok, so here's the deal. I'm not really interested in a BP/W setup at this point in my life because I just don't have the money to invest in a second tank and a manifold anyway, and unless my buddy does as well, it'd be a moot point regardless since I'm limited by his setup if I dive with him.

That being said, my Oceanic Excursion is great, its get the job done....but it has no pockets for frigging anything unless you count the thin sleeve pocket on the right which barely holds my notebook. I was looking at the Mares Dragon, and I have to admit, that is one sick BCD. I love the look, it doesn't seem too bulky on the sides, has two great big pockets and multiple dump valves. The only thing I don't like about the Dragon is that the small tank loop on the back isn't adjustable, so whereas with my Excursion and the Probe I can adjust it so once I throw that loop over the tank valve I don't have to hold the BCD in place to cinch the strap down, it doesn't look like I could do that with the Dragon.

The Oceanic Probe looks good as well, and since it's Oceanic I could keep my Air XS 2 integrated air inflator so I wouldn't have to get a new octo, but the disadvantage is that the sides are just so damn bulky looking the BCD looks like a damn cocoon. When I wear it, it's not too noticeable, but it is indeed noticeable. The advantages of course though is it has the adjustable tank loop on the back, it not only has two great big pockets but two additional utility pockets and multiple dump valves like the Dragon.

For those of you who have had a lot of diff BCDs, or you've had one of these models, what are your takes on them? Versus each other? I've seen a lot of positive feedback on the Probe but I haven't seen too much of anything on the Dragon. The only thing I'll note is that I'm not too worried about keeping the Air XS 2 setup...I'd prefer a traditional octo at this point anyway and it's only 90 bucks to get an octo if I take the reg from my old octo which I would. Advice, comments, feedback, etc. welcome!

 

[shoturtle]

The mares dragon has the new air bladder design that is suppose to give you better horizontal performance like a black inflate BC. My wife had the women's version the Kaila and she loves the BC, and saids that underwater the air bladder design makes it perform like a black inflate BC but on the surface gives you all the advantage of a traditional jacket. She also like that it stays pretty streamline when inflated because the sides are so low cut. It gives her allot of mobility.

If my bc was not is such good shape, I would replace it with the dragon in a heartbeat, it looks cool. It is very comfortable. And it is really not that bulky compare to other BC designs.

 

[emttim]

The mares dragon has the new air bladder design that is suppose to give you better horizontal performance like a black inflate BC. My wife had the women's version the Kaila and she loves the BC, and saids that underwater the air bladder design makes it perform like a black inflate BC but on the surface gives you all the advantage of a traditional jacket. She also like that it stays pretty streamline when inflated because the sides are so low cut. It gives her allot of mobility.

If my bc was not is such good shape, I would replace it with the dragon in a heartbeat, it looks cool. It is very comfortable. And it is really not that bulky compare to other BC designs.

Hmm, yeah I hear you. My BC is in great shape actually, I only have 34 dives logged on it, but the Dragon's design is simply superior and I want those spare pockets so I can fit my rescue mask, a spare mask w/strap, and a SMB in my BC without having a bunch of stuff hanging off the D-rings. Thanks for the input!

 

[maged_mmh]

I've used similar design to Dragon BC (Apollo SQR) now going for ScubaPro KnightHawk afetr an ocean test dive( true back inflate); maybe you'll need to think about that.