Oceanic Excursion

[AceszHigh]

So I'm just about to buy my first BC (back inflate). I've tried on a few...Seaquest balance, Zeagle stiletto, etc. and the Oceanic excursion really felt the most comfortable on my back. I can get it for $499 WITH air XS, which seems to be a good price.

Just wondering if anyone can give me a review of this BC...is it durable? Other BCs that compare to it for a better price? etc.

Thanks!

 

[616fun]

I used an Excursion for about a year DMing. It's a nice BC. I don't have any complaints when I compare it to any other BC. The back inflate is nice as it can help trim you out in the water and it will not give that trademark squeeze a typical jacket style BC will.

That said I'll get on the boat and say look at a BP/Wing. Deep Sea Supply can hook you up with one very specifically built for your needs (size of the plate, poundage of the wing, etc) for less money. I swapped the Excursion for a DSS set up and I'm grateful I did.

Also - think hard about the AirXS. My first kit had one because I liked the sales features of it (less hoses, less clutter, etc). After diving a while I found a few things:

1. The integrated 2nd was not easy to keep in my mouth while using it. The LP hose and the corrigated seem to fight keep the reg in your mouth.
2. The hose on your primary isn't long enough in a standard configuration to safely donate it to your buddy.

If you do decide to go for the AirXS, be sure to swap out your primary hose with a longer version.

 

[AceszHigh]

I used an Excursion for about a year DMing. It's a nice BC. I don't have any complaints when I compare it to any other BC. The back inflate is nice as it can help trim you out in the water and it will not give that trademark squeeze a typical jacket style BC will.

That said I'll get on the boat and say look at a BP/Wing. Deep Sea Supply can hook you up with one very specifically built for your needs (size of the plate, poundage of the wing, etc) for less money. I swapped the Excursion for a DSS set up and I'm grateful I did.

Also - think hard about the AirXS. My first kit had one because I liked the sales features of it (less hoses, less clutter, etc). After diving a while I found a few things:

1. The integrated 2nd was not easy to keep in my mouth while using it. The LP hose and the corrigated seem to fight keep the reg in your mouth.
2. The hose on your primary isn't long enough in a standard configuration to safely donate it to your buddy.

If you do decide to go for the AirXS, be sure to swap out your primary hose with a longer version.

Thanks, good info to consider. I really like the streamlined idea with the air XS. I figure that the octo doesnt have to be great because i probably won't use it much. Good tip on the longer primary hose though!

 

[el_guapo]

I figure that the octo doesnt have to be great because i probably won't use it much.

I'm still new at this, but I believe your octo should still be of pretty darn good quality... Not too fancy, but your life or your buddy's could still depend on it!

 

[danherbon]

just remember that AirXS adds in a single point of failure, similiar to a purge valve on a mask.

 

[tk trekers]

I have a BC with an AirSource and while I don't really like it, I am doing my dives with my wife and my son, so I also have an octo and I figure if there was a real emergency for both of them, I can get all 3 of us safely to the surface with my gear alone. So in that regard I think it has its merits but I don't rely on it for my primary backup and it is definitely not as easy to use as advertised.

 

[616fun]

Thanks, good info to consider. I really like the streamlined idea with the air XS. I figure that the octo doesnt have to be great because i probably won't use it much. Good tip on the longer primary hose though!

I would argue you want an octo of at least similar quality for your octo. Just have your shop tune it down a bit to help prevent free flows.