I am in the market for a BC and a minimal back inflation is really appealing. I am a recreational diver that dives once a year or so. I have tried on the various options (icon, biolite, zuma). Can anyone share their thoughts on the Oceanic Biolite? Or point me in the direction of some good reviews. Thanks.
Oceanic Biolite
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The Biolite is the toughest travel BC on the market right now. Oceanic used the same material as their other top of the line BC's such as the Excursion and Probe, but created a smaller, more travel friendly BC. If your looking for a BC that is tough enough to dive everyday with, but small enough to travel, the Biolite is probably your best option. If you don/t necessarily need a travel BC, you can find some great deals on the Oceanic Excursion right now since they just released the Excursion 2.
coralcruiser
Contributor
You might want to go read some reviews on the Aeris ex lite travel bc.
They sure look the same... however it would be nice if the oceanic version didn't have the elastic weight strap.
If you do decide to buy one, please come back and review it here!
They sure look the same... however it would be nice if the oceanic version didn't have the elastic weight strap.
If you do decide to buy one, please come back and review it here!
Will do. I'll be diving in Cozumel very soon
, so a review will follow if I go with the Oceanic.WanderingBob
New
I'm not sure what you are basing this on? Have you seen the Biolite? Sure looks like the Aeris ex lite travel bc has more lift for about the same weight.
Also Cressi has some new models out too.
Would love some feedback comparing the models if possible.
Thanks
Also Cressi has some new models out too.
Would love some feedback comparing the models if possible.
Thanks
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i have only tried on the zuma and lighthawk and found the lighthawk had a better, sturdier fit for me. a buddy has the zuma and said when it's loaded with weight and gear, the straps dig. i plan to buy the lighthawk as my back up BC (if there really is such a thing 
)
)OCEANIC BIOLITE REVIEW
I bought the Oceanic Biolite from my LDS and just returned from a week long trip to Cozumel. This BC really seemed to fit my travel and diving style. I typically travel really light with efficiently designed gear.
PACKING
The Biolite, reg, mask, full Bare 3mm, dive light, a few shirts, 2 swimming suits all fit into a small carry-on roller. This left a checked duffel for my wife and I to share with our fins, booties, keens, batteries, clothes, liquids...etc. My wife and I packed two 20# carry-on rollers and one 28# checked duffel for a 7 day trip. (Perhaps the airline should pay us $50-for being under weight).
OVERVIEW
Underwater this is an amazingly freeing setup. The majority of the BC is neatly tucked behind you leaving the amount of gear on your chest and rib cage almost non-existent.
COMFORT
The shoulder straps are quick to loosen with a quick lift of the clip and quickly tug of the D-ring so that you can get in and out easily without bumping into your neighbors. The straps are contoured in a way that they never touched my neck and rest perfectly in the middle of the shoulder. Surprisingly, there is no need for additional padding or soft edges.
I generally don't like the confining feeling of a cummerbund, large pockets, or weight belts. The waist strap is narrow and the weights sit slightly behind my hips. This leaves my entire front side unrestricted by additional material and straps. However, I was concerned about the comfort of the waist strap. With the strap falling just below my belly button, it turned out to be perfect. With it snug at the surface, the elastic portion would stretch with even the deepest gut expanding breath I could take while staying snug and in place. I never really felt it being too tight or too loose underwater. I also found that the loose ends of the waist strap could be fed through the D-rings on the waist band to eliminate any loose ends.
BALANCE
After a couple dives I was able to get the trim weights and the BC position perfect so that I could effortlessly maintain a horizontal position with a pivot point level with the weight pockets. I could predictably glide from a horizontal to semi-vertical and back by just by bending my knees and adjusting my folded arm position. That was a terrific feeling! (I am going to add the trim pockets to my wife's BC on the next trip!)
STREAMLINING
As far as pockets are concerned--there are none. I prefer to have things in the gauge cluster or on my arms rather than dangling or stuffed in a pocket. At most, I added a safety tube clipped to a lower D-ring. I would like to find a way to get it tucked in tightly next to the weight pocket, but still easily accessible without looking. Going through the C53 wreck with this heavy cordura BC and no gear hanging felt like I could glide around interior carefree of snagging gear or the BC.
DRYING
Without all the extra material this BC dries fast! After a 3-4 dive day, a quick rinse, and hanging overnight it was dry and a little less funky smelling in the morning.
MY 2 CENTS
1) Although I don't clip a lot of gear to the BC, it would be nice to have a few more D-Rings along the edges around the weight pockets. 2) I noticed on one dive with the waist strap set really loose that the webbing on the back side of the weight pockets rubbed the stitching of my wetsuit.
CONCLUSION
I could not be more thrilled with this BC. If you want to dive with a minimal setup without compromising durability, have a ton of pockets that you never open, or just want to travel more efficiently--check out the Biolite.
I bought the Oceanic Biolite from my LDS and just returned from a week long trip to Cozumel. This BC really seemed to fit my travel and diving style. I typically travel really light with efficiently designed gear.
PACKING
The Biolite, reg, mask, full Bare 3mm, dive light, a few shirts, 2 swimming suits all fit into a small carry-on roller. This left a checked duffel for my wife and I to share with our fins, booties, keens, batteries, clothes, liquids...etc. My wife and I packed two 20# carry-on rollers and one 28# checked duffel for a 7 day trip. (Perhaps the airline should pay us $50-for being under weight).
OVERVIEW
Underwater this is an amazingly freeing setup. The majority of the BC is neatly tucked behind you leaving the amount of gear on your chest and rib cage almost non-existent.
COMFORT
The shoulder straps are quick to loosen with a quick lift of the clip and quickly tug of the D-ring so that you can get in and out easily without bumping into your neighbors. The straps are contoured in a way that they never touched my neck and rest perfectly in the middle of the shoulder. Surprisingly, there is no need for additional padding or soft edges.
I generally don't like the confining feeling of a cummerbund, large pockets, or weight belts. The waist strap is narrow and the weights sit slightly behind my hips. This leaves my entire front side unrestricted by additional material and straps. However, I was concerned about the comfort of the waist strap. With the strap falling just below my belly button, it turned out to be perfect. With it snug at the surface, the elastic portion would stretch with even the deepest gut expanding breath I could take while staying snug and in place. I never really felt it being too tight or too loose underwater. I also found that the loose ends of the waist strap could be fed through the D-rings on the waist band to eliminate any loose ends.
BALANCE
After a couple dives I was able to get the trim weights and the BC position perfect so that I could effortlessly maintain a horizontal position with a pivot point level with the weight pockets. I could predictably glide from a horizontal to semi-vertical and back by just by bending my knees and adjusting my folded arm position. That was a terrific feeling! (I am going to add the trim pockets to my wife's BC on the next trip!)
STREAMLINING
As far as pockets are concerned--there are none. I prefer to have things in the gauge cluster or on my arms rather than dangling or stuffed in a pocket. At most, I added a safety tube clipped to a lower D-ring. I would like to find a way to get it tucked in tightly next to the weight pocket, but still easily accessible without looking. Going through the C53 wreck with this heavy cordura BC and no gear hanging felt like I could glide around interior carefree of snagging gear or the BC.
DRYING
Without all the extra material this BC dries fast! After a 3-4 dive day, a quick rinse, and hanging overnight it was dry and a little less funky smelling in the morning.
MY 2 CENTS
1) Although I don't clip a lot of gear to the BC, it would be nice to have a few more D-Rings along the edges around the weight pockets. 2) I noticed on one dive with the waist strap set really loose that the webbing on the back side of the weight pockets rubbed the stitching of my wetsuit.
CONCLUSION
I could not be more thrilled with this BC. If you want to dive with a minimal setup without compromising durability, have a ton of pockets that you never open, or just want to travel more efficiently--check out the Biolite.
Last edited:
coralcruiser
Contributor
Excellent review. thanks for sharing.
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