New BC for travel.

[topher]

I've seen cam band weights but haven't tried them. I would think that they would work as well as BC trim pockets. That could also be a solution if I buy the cressi ultralight. Although maybe I won't need them at all with a back inflate BCD

 

[Marie13]

Nothing at all. I just wouldn't want a BC without the rear trim pockets.

Trim and cam band pouches are the same thing by different names. Unless you're talking about BCs that have rear weight pockets permanently installed? I dive a BP/W, so I don't think I've ever seen such a one.

 

[Tool Belt]

Been rocking the Zuma for about 150 dives. No complaints.

 

[BDSC]

Unless you're talking about BCs that have rear weight pockets permanently installed?.

That's it. My last 3 BC's all had this feature so no need to add something.

 

[RayfromTX]

2" webbing is easier to add weight pockets to and much easier to add d-rings to. It seems there are two natural instincts that come into play in these threads. How can I make my BC more like a BP/w which seems to be the direction of the outlaw and how can I make my BP/w more like a jacket BC with adding padded shoulders and plastic releases and such. We keep looking at ways to make my wife's Zuma more functional by adding full size d-rings and a crotch strap but the shoulder straps don't work for that because they are too narrow and padded. We did add a real d-ring to the waist strap with a sewing machine and some webbing but was a pain when we could have just gotten a more simple, adjustable and useful rig from the beginning if only we had known. I will post pictures later after we get back from this morning's dives.

 

[RayfromTX]

First pic is a Zuma size small from the side. It comes standard with 22 lbs of lift. The M/L size comes with 34 lbs of lift. It has a Mikron reg set with a 7 foot pimary hose and an Air 3 integrated power inflator instead of an octopus. There are integrated weight pockets but my wife also uses trim weight on the tank band. She is using 16 lbs. The last photo shows this rig from the front with the large d-ring that I added to the waist strap. Look closely to find the small plastic d-rings that adorn this rig. This is my wife's main complaint and adding real d-rings would be difficult with the configuration of the narrow padded shoulder straps. She does like the pink trim.

The second and third photos are of my Large size Deep Sea Supply BP/W. It has a Kydex and stainless plate and a 20 lb. wing. I use a Deep6 reg set with a secondary on a necklace and a 7 foot primary hose. The two rigs weigh the same and pack the same in our carry on. To mine I have added thin neoprene pads to the shoulder straps for shore diving. I have small weight pockets on the waist strap and a small pocket for a small foldable snorkel. It has, of course, a crotch strap which seems uncomfortable until you use it and then you have an ah ha moment. My wife sees the need for that now. It gives a great place to stow a DSMB out of the slip stream. Nothing dangles at all. I use 8 lbs in salt water with a 3 mm wetsuit but could easily use 6. two pounds of the weight is an ankle weight around the tank valve to give me easy perfect trim.

I'm very happy with my travel BP/W which is really a straight up work horse that happens to be light and packable. My wife puts up with her bc but we will probably go ahead and get her something like mine in her size. If you can't convince yourself to go ahead and get a BP/W then we would both recommend the Zuma but while we find niggles to dislike about the Zuma, there is nothing to dislike about a "properly fitted and adjusted BP/W".

I expect the standard rejection of my recommendation of a BP/W as there seems to be a two camp dynamic on this board when it comes to this topic but I would be remiss if I failed to tell about our experience as new traveling divers buying and diving both types. If you avoid buying twice then it was well worth the keystrokes.

 

[jd950]

Although I have no experience with any of these, I would seriously look at the Zuma, the Scubapro Hydros and the Aqualung Outlaw. The Hydros pricing seems high to me and the Outlaw is brand new, so the Zuma might be the best choice of the group at the moment. I have been very impressed by the Zumas I have seen on dive boats and in use.

Oh, and I suppose you might want to look at a BPW as well, depending on your interest level in the finer points of webbing and straps and clips and plates and bolts, and so on. Those who have them seem to like them. Of course, people in cults usually like their cults, too...until they are rescued and deprogrammed. (Just kidding...sort of)

 

[RayfromTX]

Although I have no experience with any of these, I would seriously look at the Zuma, the Scubapro Hydros and the Aqualung Outlaw. The Hydros pricing seems high to me and the Outlaw is brand new, so the Zuma might be the best choice of the group at the moment. I have been very impressed by the Zumas I have seen on dive boats and in use.

Oh, and I suppose you might want to look at a BPW as well, depending on your interest level in the finer points of webbing and straps and clips and plates and bolts, and so on. Those who have them seem to like them. Of course, people in cults usually like their cults, too...until they are rescued and deprogrammed. (Just kidding...sort of)

What bc do you have experience with? You are recommending a bc you have seen on a boat and implying bp/w users are in a cult and in need of rescue. That's cute but what exactly is the purpose of your post?

 

[Snoweman]

I've been diving with my Zuma for a little over a year. I'm 6'4" and about 240 - 260 depending on how hard core I can be about losing weight. I have used a tank trim pocket for a little extra weight (16 lbs without a wetsuit on my last dive). I've added a bunch of zip ties to my D rings in order to fit my whistle, safety sausage and other items. It's great for packing in my carryon with my goggles, reg and dive computer (plus a few clothes).

 

[ronscuba]

Was in my local dive shop yesterday to get my wife a new skin. While waiting for her to try on, I took a look at the various BCD's on display. Not being in the market for BCD's, I have not looked at any for several years.

I was impressed with the Zuma. It had much more durable fabrics compared to when it 1st came out. Several other BCD's on display also looked good. Less clutter, smaller wings, more durable fabrics, compared to BCD's in the past.

Nice to see technology and the market driving manufacturers and dive shops to put out better products.